Packing a Flake?

[turtlehead]

(and others that need to be rubbed?)

Title edited for caps and brevity. Remainder above. -jpm

I don't have much experience with different cuts (might not even be the right wording)

But - I smoked a flake yesterday - had seen a comment somewhere about just folding it and putting it into the bowl vs. rubbing it out.

I tried that, and couldn't get it to stay lit.

When you fold - do you still pack it down, or just leave it as is?

Since I'm new, should I just default to rubbing everything to keep it simple?

 

[niblicck]

This may be a good start for you. I twist the fold a little before stuffing.

Mac Baren: Packing Flake Pipe Tobacco - Smokingpipes.com - Bing video

 

[dunnyboy]

If you're inexperienced, folding and stuffing a flake might be easier to do but harder to smoke. Rubbing out a flake between your two palms makes it more like the ribbon cuts you might be more familiar with.

 

[prairiedruid]

Try different ways, some flakes I cube cut for the best result. Varies by blend.

 

[wordheavy]

I rub them out. I have cube cut them and that works good too, burns slower.

 

[bullet08]

Flake takes some time getting used to. And some time figuring out what works for you. Most important part is drying the flake till you think it's dried and drying some more. You want that thing dry, really dry. Then once you fold, you want to work it. Twisting it, bending it, breaking it. Once done stuffing it, whatever fell out could be rubbed and topped as tinder.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I used to fold and stuff, but these days I prefer to rub out. Only takes a minute and seems to burn nicely for me.

 

[anotherbob]

play with it. Try it different ways. You'll find what makes you a happy flake smoker. And some flakes I prefer one way and some another. I like Erinmore folded and stuffed or cube cut. I like capstan rubbed out. And most pulled slightly apart into what could be called ready rub.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

play with it. Try it different ways. You'll find what makes you a happy flake smoker.

Ditto!

 

[clynch]

Im in the same boat. My fold and stuff of plum pudding was a fail. Tasted somewhat medicinal too. Tried it again after rubbing it out. Now it stayed lit. My newbie review of the smoke. Sniff, sniff, taste ...yes definitely tones of manure. Seriously. My rubbed out plum pudding smelled like manure. So much for my discerning palate. After rubbing it out and smelling manure I was able to smell spice in the tin. Hopefully my taste buds and experience get to the point where I can say "Earthy with hints of floral and ... ... . Right now I'm best not reviewing anything.

 

[shane1]

I prefer just to rub the tobacco out. Did not enjoy the fold and stuff method.

 

[seanv]

Im in the same boat. My fold and stuff of plum pudding was a fail. Tasted somewhat medicinal too. Tried it again after rubbing it out. Now it stayed lit. My newbie review of the smoke. Sniff, sniff, taste ...yes definitely tones of manure. Seriously. My rubbed out plum pudding smelled like manure. So much for my discerning palate. After rubbing it out and smelling manure I was able to smell spice in the tin. Hopefully my taste buds and experience get to the point where I can say "Earthy with hints of floral and ... ... . Right now I'm best not reviewing anything.

Did you enjoy the smoke? That's all that matters

 

[turtlehead]

Flake takes some time getting used to. And some time figuring out what works for you. Most important part is drying the flake till you think it's dried and drying some more. You want that thing dry, really dry. Then once you fold, you want to work it. Twisting it, bending it, breaking it. Once done stuffing it, whatever fell out could be rubbed and topped as tinder.

The drying bit I’ve heard, but I’ve got no concept for what that looks like - eg, open the tin the night before and leave open, or just pull some out 10 minutes ahead of time?
Assuming touch/feel of the tobacco will be most telling with time?
Now off to search for drying threads

 

[Chasing Embers]

A few of things you can do with flakes.

 

[jpmcwjr]

The drying bit I’ve heard, but I’ve got no concept for what that looks like - eg, open the tin the night before and leave open, or just pull some out 10 minutes ahead of time?
Assuming touch/feel of the tobacco will be most telling with time?
Now off to search for drying threads

Rub out first, dry second. The larger the piece of tobacco, the longer it takes to dry. Dry a good bit, and enjoy!

 

[bullet08]

The drying bit I’ve heard, but I’ve got no concept for what that looks like - eg, open the tin the night before and leave open, or just pull some out 10 minutes ahead of time?
Assuming touch/feel of the tobacco will be most telling with time?
Now off to search for drying threads

Flakes don't dry fast. The typical touch test might be off. Well before you smoke a flake, you want to take one or how many you will smoke out and place it on a paper plate or paper towel. I left one out overnight, and it was ok. But unless you are in desert, several hours might work. Rubbing it out works too. But if a blender decided to sell the tobacco in flake form, it's worth the trouble to try in that form at least once. And know what to do with it to enjoy it.

 

[clynch]

Did you enjoy the smoke? That's all that matters

Yes I did. The rubbed out tasted good. I learn a little something each and every time. I thoroughly enjoyed the smell of the tin and rubbing it out. Little steps ...

 

[OzPiper]

I've never mastered fold&stuff with flakes.

The problem with frequent relights is that the tobacco is subjected to higher temperature each time which leads to a less than satisfactory smoke.

Rubbing out and drying results in a much more consistent smoke for me.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I just tear it into little bits with my fingers and some rolling between thumb and finger and leave it to get crispy. I’ll probably try the fold just to see what happens.

 

[FurCoat]

A few of things you can do with flakes.

Watched the video and this is my technique also.