Newbie Learns the Hard Way to Dry Tobacco.

[Highlandpiper]

Thought I would share this in case anyone else having the same issue. I got my first new pipe a month ago, a Savanelli straight, and started smoking. I tried both balsa and charcoal filters but found 3/4 through the bowl I was having to draw way to hard, like a thick milkshake, to the point I couldn't draw and then ended up with tongue bite.
When I went to clean and investigate, both filters I found a lot of moisture which was pulling the filter and they were blocked. Smominh without a filter seemed to help but bottom of chamber would be wet post smoke.
After a little scan through this forum I decided to try and leave my tobacco, st bruno, out for only half hr before packing.
Moisture gone. Now filters back in and enjoying each bowl. Lesson learnt, check tobacco moisture and allow to dry if necessary.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Or pack lighter.

 

[Highlandpiper]

Or pack lighter.

Very true as well, I just wanted to share what worked for me.

 

[AJL67]

As said, Dry more than you think you should and pack less than you think you should.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

Or pack lighter.

This ^^^^^

Drying tobacco is always a good idea but if your draw feels like your sucking a milkshake through a straw, you may be packing a bit tight. A lighter pack can always be tamped and tightened whereas loosening a tight draw is bit more difficult. Keep at it and enjoy your smokes.

 

[camaguey]

For me , the balsa filters work better if i shave them slightly with a jacknife. The object is to open the draw.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

It's all been said - once you think it's dry enough, dry it a little more. Also pack lighter. Gravity fill with a thumb press is my method.

Glad ya found what worked for ya. Makes it far more enjoyable.
It's like not catching fish while fishing. Then all of the sudden you switch bits and start catch em nonstop.

 

[bullet08]

When an individual starts smoking pipes for first time, it's almost necessary to dry the tobacco, and pack light. By doing so, it will leave you to experiment with your cadence. Sip slow at different speed to find optimal flavor for you and that blend.

 

[Coreios]

If you don't want to wait the microwave works. Just a few seconds check it.

 

[kcghost]

It's good when a plan comes together.

 

[Cyxelsid]

It's all been said - once you think it's dry enough, dry it a little more. Also pack lighter. Gravity fill with a thumb press is my method.

OK, newbie question on packing... is there such thing as too light of a pack?

 

[jpmcwjr]

OK, newbie question on packing... is there such thing as too light of a pack?

Sure. Same as too wet, too dry, too much of anything.

 

[bullet08]

OK, newbie question on packing... is there such thing as too light of a pack?

Like everything else, you have to find your optimal setting. If it's packed too light, you will be tamping a lot, or else the ember might not make contact with tobacco enough to carry on smoking. Also, if condition is just right, by the end of the bowl, you tamped too much and end up with compacted dottles that won't smoke and won't even let you draw air. You'll just have to find what works for you the best. For me, ideal situation is when tobacco is packed relatively tight, but there is a huge air pocket at the bottom. This allows easy air flow, but the tobacco will provide easy burning without too much fiddling. Other option is gravity filling. It provides good air flow with loose filling of tobacco.

 

[FHlight]

Maybe the tobacco isn't dry enough, or maybe you're smoking it too fast?