Not a Beginner... But did I Break this new Stanwell?

[anotherbob]

dump the dottle.

 

[ElatedErieLotus]

I don't think that is Cake, impossible after one smoke. I think he charred the shit out of it which isn't a big deal if he takes it easy moving forward.

My previous reply may have come across as rude, if so, my apologies. It was not intended to be rude, I'm just a guy with a new pipe concerned I may have gotten an unlucky pull from the factory.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Stanwell coats their bowls with some sort of black paint or residue to help them break in faster. It is in fact brand new and that was the first bowl.

Personally, I'd prefer an uncoated bowl, but that's just me. I haven't had an issue with or without coatings before, but I like knowing the cake is all mine.

Mysterious then eh.
They must have put roofing tar or something inside that one !
Be interested to hear of any further developments with it.
Hope all goes well.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Don’t get defensive. You asked .

 

[ElatedErieLotus]

Don’t get defensive. You asked .

That is why I apologized, didn't mean to come across as rude.

I noticed what might be an issue with a new pipe and wanted to make sure I was getting all the information out there. I know many new smokers puff a little too hard and fast, but I didn't believe that was the problem at hand here, though I've been wrong many times in the past.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I can assure you I didn't char it all the way down. It was coated black from the factory, perhaps leading to the confusion. I loaded it with some Peterson Sunset Breeze and took well over an hour sipping on it to the bottom, with a few breaks to help the wife cook dinner. I've been smoking pipes for years, I know when a pipe is getting warm or hot and has been pushed a little far, this one did not have that opportunity. This is my first new pipe in awhile, but not my first time smoking a pipe, if I had steam-engined it, my tongue would remember.

I'm just going by what I see. I don't care one way or the other, it's your pipe.

 

[LotusEater]

The good news is no one seems to think it’s a major issue going forward.

Also - I’m surprised to find another lotus varietal on these forums.
Welcome

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

That is why I apologized, didn't mean to come across as rude.

I noticed what might be an issue with a new pipe and wanted to make sure I was getting all the information out there. I know many new smokers puff a little too hard and fast, but I didn't believe that was the problem at hand here, though I've been wrong many times in the past.

It’s okay, these guys are very knowledgeable.

 

[ElatedErieLotus]

I'm just going by what I see. I don't care one way or the other, it's your pipe.

And, as unskilled as I may be at typing things on the internet at times, I do appreciate it.

I posted and asked because, while I do have experience smoking pipes, I am far from an expert such as many who post here. The fact that the possibility of some char at the bottom is what everyone assumed I was referencing, does lead me to think that the misshapen draft hole must not be an issue.

 

[anotherbob]

Just don't try to get every shred of tobacco smoked. And it should be fine. Also if you ever do get burnout as in actually burn the wood of the pipe, it tastes horrid and very distinct. But the draft hole is where there is the most consistent issue with this, because people try to light the last shreds which are wet and don't want to burn.

 

[bullet08]

If you are concerned about not exactly round draught opening, it shouldn't really cause serious issue. It's possible few splints off the drilling at that point was burning since you smoke to bottom.

 

[craig61a]

I could almost 99% guarantee that this was caused by holding the lighter while trying to burn the last bit of dottle. The point where the airway meets the bowl on the top is very thin, and yes briar will burn if you hold a lighter on it like that.

Just smoke it easy, and dump the dottle early so it will build up some cake there, or apply some mud.

 

[ElatedErieLotus]

The good news is no one seems to think it’s a major issue going forward.

Also - I’m surprised to find another lotus varietal on these forums.
Welcome

Perhaps I should hide. Please don't eat me.

 

[ElatedErieLotus]

I could almost 99% guarantee that this was caused by holding the lighter while trying to burn the last bit of dottle. The point where the airway meets the bowl on the top is very thin, and yes briar will burn if you hold a lighter on it like that.

Just smoke it easy, and dump the dottle early so it will build up some cake there, or apply some mud.

Thank you, I don't believe I did that, though I have been know to make my share of mistakes. Will cake automatically fill in that new weak spot?

 

[craig61a]

Thank you, I don't believe I did that, though I have been know to make my share of mistakes. Will cake automatically fill in that new weak spot?

Eventually, but just make sure to leave enough tobacco in the bowl once it gets down to the end so that you would not be drawing the flame past the spot where it charred through.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

It looks to me like it got a little too hot for a first smoke and the grain separated/cracked, releasing a small chip. Not at all uncommon for wood to do when not seasoned a little, when there is a fancy grain pattern present.
Like others have said, smoke it a little gently for a few more times to season the wood before puffing too hot at the bottom.

 

[Grangerous]

Seasoned members have said they don’t smoke to the bottom.

I don’t know about seasoned, maybe just a bit salty. But I don’t smoke to the bottom, especially with my cobs. As soon as I tamp and feel the protruding shank through the ashes it’s all over.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I don’t know about seasoned, maybe just a bit salty. But I don’t smoke to the bottom, especially with my cobs. As soon as I tamp and feel the protruding shank through the ashes it’s all over.

Cobs are the worse. I found out the hard way.

 

[Briar Lee]

For about fifty years I’ve used a dab of honey to coat the chamber on new pipes.

Even so I encountered the same worries as the OP when breaking in a new Bari Hand Cut, the smell of scorching briar and cracks in the bottom.

After a half dozen careful smokes to the bottom, it formed a cake and now it’s a top notch smoker.

I’ve noticed on other Danish pipes, they tend to use greener, less seasoned briar. Maybe I would too if I had to work with such large pieces.

Heat seasons briar, as well as aging would have, but it’s unpleasant breaking in the pipe.

 

[Grangerous]

Many have this goal of smoking a new pipe to the bottom and won’t consider that pipe “broken in” until the bottom is charred, in other words, protected from burnout.

Others whom rinse their pipes clean find the entire cake building exercise one born of tradition rather than of necessity.

Two competing schools of thought.

I’ve never burned through a pipe. Not even a cob. I like to rinse my new cobs and keep the chambers clean, clear, sweet and yellow for as many smokes as that is possible—as I feel this yields the purest and tastiest smoke. Of course, all of my cobs eventually blacken inside and then a tight twist of paper towel removes the loose soot, leaving only the thinnest smooth, hard, shiny layer. In other words, I’m not looking to grow soft cake. I want a hard carbon layer.

I am experimenting presently by growing a cake in one cob. @Didimaw and others have said that a thick cake adds to their experience, enjoyment and adds flavor.

I like to keep an open mind. Neither school of thought is wrong.