I use the Frank method myself.... [innocent look skyward]If you pack your pipe to the brim, it may rise up at first, but soon settles down into the bowl and slowly burns lower. But if you pack it a little less, it has room to rise up and you don't have to settle it as much with a tamper, maybe. What's your habit? I usually pack just below the brim, but it varies.
I swear blind I hadn't seen that when I said what I did!I often use the frank method (or try to) which results in a flat surface of tobacco at the level of the rim. I’ve been trying to be more sparing and careful when applying the flame.
I pack however much I've dried. If it packs a little less then so be it...but typically it packs more so I have it to the brim 99% of the time.If you pack your pipe to the brim, it may rise up at first, but soon settles down into the bowl and slowly burns lower. But if you pack it a little less, it has room to rise up and you don't have to settle it as much with a tamper, maybe. What's your habit? I usually pack just below the brim, but it varies.
I think a lot of folks don't know that the hottest part of the flame is at the tip. I see people pulling the whole flame onto the tobacco so that the tip has no where to go but to the side: scorch!!I fill level to the top of the chamber with no scorching. How are all of these burned rims happening?