Newbie needs help....

[keith40]

I received a gift set from outwest tobacco and a starter kit from cupojoes. i tried to smoke my pipe and could not get it to stay lit. it seemed as though i would get a few puffs then that was it. i followed the steps and am starting off with 1/4 of a bowl. made sure it wasn't packed too tight and still took about 5 matches. any advice on a lighter to get? my brother is sending me an old zippo i gave him years ago, but would rather not wait.
i did clean it out and am waiting for it to cool. should i remove the stem and clean it with a pipe cleaner right away after it cools? OCD is kickin in so any help is appreciated.

 

[unclearthur]

Be sure that your tobacco is fairly dry . That will help with the staying lit part. I usually clean out a pipe as soon as it has cooled off. Some leave a cleaner in the pie after. I don't. I have enough pipes that they have more than enough time to air dry.

 

[sirbogglesworth]

Be sure that your tobacco is fairly dry.

+1
And if your outside with fairly windy weather invest in a windcap (about $1). :D

 

[wallbright]

Did you perform a charring light? If not then try lighting it and getting a good layer of ash on the top, then tamp it down gently allowing gravity to do the work. Then light again. I have also found that using the poke tool to poke a hole all the way down on the opposite side of the bowl where the air hole is. This helps make it even. You should have gotten the czech tool in the starter kit.
As for a lighter, hell even a regular ole Bic would work if you tilt it side ways. Just be sure not to burn yourself but as long as it is a soft flame lighter and not a torch then just about any lighter CAN light a pipe but some are just better at doing it.

 

[pipetrucker]

Packing, lighting, and smoking are all arts that take time to learn. If your pipe is going out very quickly you are either packing it too loosely or too tightly. How is that for an informative reply?
Could be either one. When packing, never, ever let your finger wander into the bowl, just to the rim. Keep packing until you feel a tad bit of resistance from the tobacco. You are there. Char, then light, and enjoy.

 

[wallbright]

When packing, never, ever let your finger wander into the bowl, just to the rim.

I don't know if I agree with that as I do the thirds method. I guess I could use my tamper but I almost always just use my finger. Everyone does it differently though.

 

[winton]

Don't forget to take your finger out of the bowl before lighting.

 

[lonestar]

Practice practice practice.

Start smoking 5 bowls a day, and you will be an expert in a matter of years.



Sorry for the sarcastic part of the response, but its almost true.

Cigarettes, any fool can smoke.

But pipes take a certain amount of skill to get it right.

Just keep going with it, **don't worry about how many times you have to relight**.

Eventually you will find how to pack it just so, and find a nice pace to puff at, and you wont have to worry about so many relights.

In the mean time, its only lighter fluid.

Just light it again.

Anyone here can tell you, all the efforts to learn a pipe are worth it.

 

[keith40]

Thanks everyone. I did clean my pipe after it cooled and i'll give it several more tries this week. :D how else will i learn? :lol:

 

[lonestar]

how else will i learn?

Hanging around here is a good start !

 

[unclearthur]

As my signature says"If at first you don't succeed , you are running about average."

 

[keith40]

New problem. My G/F doesnt want my tobacco packs in the bed room. she doesn't like the smell. my pipes came with several 2oz packs in zip locks. 7 in all. if i transfer them to mason jars, will the seal hold the scent of the tobacco? are there any humidity steps i need to take like i do for my cigars?

 

[maduroman]

yes.... get a new girlfriend.

 

[wwtravlr1]

yep might be time for a new GF. Another way to do it is go and find some good cigar boxes to store your smoke in. That will make her even more happy!

 

[lonestar]

Mason jars will hold in the scents just fine. They will also keep the tobaccos at their current humidity, should be no need to add anything else. But, if they are all kept in the same jar, the flavors of the different tobaccos will eventually meld into one another.

As for the GF , you have a few options. Some of which have been mentioned already

 

[keith40]

Thanks for the info lonestar.
I'll keep the g/f. Our son seems to like her the best so she stays. :D ok, mason jar store, here i come.

 

[hobie1dog]

girlfriends are a dime a dozen, ask Kevin. :nana:

 

[keith40]

this ones a keeper and the content of the site and my own alleged good taste keeps me from expanding on that. :rofl:

 

[locopony]

The way I pack a bowl (and it works every time without fail) I fill loosly to the top even a bit over then press till half way down. Then refill and press till a quarter below the top of the bowl. Groom the edges and any loose bits that will not cooperate. Light with a match (after the sulfer is burned off) light the pipe evenly around the top of the bowl (don't burn the bowl). then while taking a nice long draw tamp the top down abit. 1 match every time. Not bad for a relative newbie.

 

[ranger]

I pack relatively loosely....tamp only when absolutely necessary and then very lightly.....puff slow and steady.....and never use a lighter, only wooden matches.