New Here and Need Help

[toddryan84]

@pipesmokingtom
I honestly have been known to over research every hobby I've ever come across, which sometimes leads to great results and other times ends up just frustrating and confusing me. I haven't smoked in a long time so last night broke back some fond memories even though it wasn't the most graceful process for me lol

 

[toddryan84]

Unrelated: why is my avatar not showing up? Does it need to be approved?

 

[kodos44]

Welcome to the community! Glad to hear that things have improved, even if just slightly for you. I used to have a real issue packing pipes. Tried every method, just never turned out right. I tried the "Frank" method and that just worked for me. I live near chicago and the humuidity fluctuates from 40% to 80%+. I typically dry my tobaccos out of the tin for at least 30 mins to an hour, works especially well if the AC is going which should lower the humidity inside. Also, the microwave trick works well when everything else fails. Let us know how it's going!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Not unless it's nekkid wimmin! There are two places for avatars, so going back it an uploading it to the other section should do it.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I honestly have been known to over research every hobby I've ever come across, which sometimes leads to great results and other times ends up just frustrating and confusing me.

I hear ya, man. It's difficult not to do when there is such a wealth of information out there. All the info and conversation in the world won't do anything near for you what just smoking a few hundred bowls will.

 

[deathmetal]

Where abouts are you from?

Southeast Texas, a giant swamp. I have learned to deal with this by drying tobacco in the air conditioning (!) and then torching it. I have also become a devotee of the "tinder" on top, namely keeping around some dry tobacco to put on top of the bowl and set ablaze to ignite what is below.
I like Florida as well. Nice place, lots of eccentricity, which is missing in most parts of modern society.

 

[toddryan84]

Tonight I had some Peterson Old Dublin. Not a good experience for me :/ smoked out of my BC Rocbrune bent rhodesian, the tobacco bit a lot and kept going out, smoked really hot, had a period where it was ok for a while but the flavor was a bit charred tasting. Got a substantial amount of gurgling. I smiled on my patio and today was an exceptionally hot day, so much the my lips and face were sweating when I was outside. I feel discouraged

 

[nevadablue]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and to everyone who is helping. Thanks especially for the link to the archived site.

 

[saltedplug]

I agree that you are over-thinking, which doesn't mean that you pipe problems aren't real and vexing.

 

[balkisobrains]

I use meer chips in the bottom of my bowls and they have multiple benefits.
But if the tobacco is too moist going in, it's still probably going to taste bad and give you other problems, no matter what you might put down there.
I don't like doing the microwave thing, I think it is too harsh on the leaf.
Here is what I have started doing during the onset of humidity this summer:
Take a Stainless Steel mesh flour sifter, and a heat gun. A hair-dryer would be fine too.
Put some paper underneath the sifter and spread out a bowlful of tobacco in the bottom of the sifter.
Gently warm the tobacco for 30 to 60 seconds. Do not do this from underneath the sifter.
I use a heat gun set on low, and I keep the nozzle a foot or more away, and I like to keep it moving in circles.
When you stop heating it, flip the tobacco around a little bit to get some air flowing while the warm moisture evaporates.
Let the tobacco and stainless cool off for a minute, and you think that it is probably no longer releasing moisture.
Check moisture level of tobacco.
Repeat process if it has cooled off and is not dry enough.
Usually two 30 second cycles does it for me, with a heat gun on low.
Pack immediately after it cools off because it is going to start drawing in moisture from the air. You can cover the top of the bowl somehow after you pack it and it will stay pretty dry if you don't want to smoke it right away.
::

 

[toddryan84]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and to everyone who is helping. Thanks especially for the link to the archived site.

You're very welcome, Ken and thank YOU for stopping in and reading/commenting ::

 

[toddryan84]

@balkisobrains
I'll have to try that. I tested my Peterson tobacco last night and I did the moisture pinch test, and it seemed fine, but man was that a terrible experience for me. I'll have to try drying it.
I do have some Haunted Bookshop that's really dry...to the point where it makes the crackle noise when you sift through it, maybe I should smoke through some of that?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Pretty sure your wife's or GF's hair dryer with the tobacco in a large sifter would work fine, too.
Agree to immediately jar it if you're in a humid place.