Pack It To The Brim, Or Not?

[mso489]

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.

 

[sandollars]

When I am done packing, I have a slight convex formation starting a the rim level.

I like them full but am also mindful that my pipes are made of wood and can be damaged with direct flame. I try and keep a steady hand on the char light. After the char, it is easily tamped below the rim.

 

[didimauw]

 

[strave19]

I often don't pack all the way to the top, for time purposes. Family/work requirements rarely give me an hour+ to sit and enjoy. So I'm usually 1/2 to 3/4 full. I don't really mind having things rise up above the bowl on first lighting though if I am able to pack it full.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I usually fill mine to the top, do a charring light (the ribbons will usually rise up some), tamp it back down (usually ends up just beneath the rim) and then give it a real lighting. None of my pipes have charred rims, although my meer gets pretty dark there, but I think that’s normal for them.

 

[ray47]

I pack to just below the rim to cut down on rim charring.

 

[Recon Paul]

Depends what I'm smoking. Depends on the pipe. Depends on the cut. Really depends on how much time I have. I've been smoking a lot of ready rubbed lately and is seems to burn forever, so I pack it pretty loosely. I generally pack a bowl more loosely because I find it helps reduce relights.

 

[mordy18]

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.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Just a little bit below the rim, I don't usually do partially filled up pipes ,I'd rather pick a pipe according to time I could enjoy it in one set'

 

[jpmcwjr]

Some of each. Usually, my first light is a "real" light. I try to be careful that the tip of the flame touches neither the rim nor the tobacco.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

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 just light from higher above when the bowl is full, and kind of draw the flame into the tobacco.

 

[brut666]

I pack just below the rim, fluffs up then tamp back to use below ?

 

[spicy_boiii]

I always pack mine to the top, which I am trying to get out of the habit of doing. I find it makes it more likely that I'll pack it too firm initially.

I'm trying to start packing two pipes if I want a long smoke. The nice part about that, is that if I change my mind about what I'm smoking or whether I want to smoke that much, I just don't light the next pipe.

 

[seanv]

View attachment 53724View attachment 53725

That should be a photo on rotten.com or consumptionjunction.com from back in the day lol

 

[ashdigger]

I barely pay attention. I pack, light and go.

 

[EvergreenPiper]

I know it will char the rim, but hell yes.

 

[acidpox]

I usually stop about 1/8 inch from the rim

 

[blueeyedogre]

Slightly lower then the brim. I live in Saskatchewan where the wind is always blowing so if I pack to the brim when I light it it expands and blows ash everywhere. lol

 

[Old School 3319]

I pack to the top sometimes a little above just because it will settle. Not to concerned with rim char it is what it is a pipe not a show piece

 

[anotherbob]

yeah a tiny bit bellow the rim except when I don't but that's not by design it's by accident. Usually talking with someone intriguing at the time of those not quite perfect packs.