Packing Lighter & Smoking Drier

[bonanzadriver]

As I've mentioned on other sites, and possibly here, although I've been smoking a pipe off and on since 1982 I recently got into piping in a pretty big way.
Voracious for knowledge on restoring/refurbing pipes, tobacco blends & techniques, I've read everything I can get on the matters.
As many of you pros know, for me the absolute difference maker has been to smoke tobacco that is much drier than I had previously thought one should. Along with that, packing the bowl more lightly has made an incredible difference a well.
The combination of these two things, along with "slowing my roll" and no longer "freight training" through a bowl, has helped me not only with things such as tongue bite but has increased my smoking enjoyment exponentially.
This evening for instance, I recently finished a bowl of Carter Hall in an old Bent Dublin I refurbed quite a while back.
It was, by far, the most enjoyable bowl of CH I've ever had. I think the combination of it being much drier than the first time I tried it, as well as loosely packed, culminated in a tobacco nirvana.
I've since moved on to a bowl of drier D&R Rimboche SJ, in a Bent Bulldog. It was the same experience again. Much better than the first bowl of it I tried a couple of weeks ago.
The only downside to packin it more loosely is that the quantity of tobacco in the bowl is less, subsequently, it is over sooner.
The upside, besides being a much better experience, is that it affords me the opportunity to smoke more bowls of various tobaccos throughout the evening.
All in all, a win, win, win scenario.
Cheers.
Dino

 

[aquadoc]

I am still struggling with how right or loose to pack the bowl. How are you packing it more lightly and getting a good smoke?

 

[bonanzadriver]

Doc,
I read somewhere, mighta been here, that if your tobacco is dry enough it's virtually impossible to pack it too tight.
That being said, I still err on the side of packing it lighter than what you might think is enough.
For me, it depends on both the cut of the tobacco and the size of the pipes bowl, and as I stated, the drier the better.
Don't get me wrong, none of my tobacco is dusty dry, or even crispy. It's just drier than when the tin is first opened.
All of that being said, I have experimented with various amounts and tightnesses of of packs.
I'd encourage you to try this on your next bowl...
1. Select some drier tobacco (let it sit out for a while if necessary)

2. Pinch small amounts out of the tin or pouch and drop it into the bowl.

3. If it's a smaller diameter bowl, very gently push the tobacco down to the bottom with your pinky finger.

4. Repeat step 3 until it's reasonably full

5. Light with a match if you have it. Let the flame lick the top of the tobacco and move it around so as to let it touch the entire surface.

6. Enjoy

7. If it burns out, tamp lightly and repeat with the match.
If you've packed it too light, meaning not enough tobacco, the bowl will be finished soon enough and you can make another pass at it.
The one thing I've noticed from this is that the flavor is fantastic. It no longer get's a burnt taste like I used to experience when I was overpacking and torching it with a lighter.
Obviously, I use a lighter when out on the golf course, but even then I try to let the flame lick the surface.
Also, remember to "slow your roll" if you've been power puffin.
Let us know how it turns out for you.

 

[64alex]

I found me too that drying and packing light makes a big difference.

About packing light I found the best way to pack is what I call the palm method. I put some tobacco in the palm of the hand and then I swirl the bowl over it. Just try and you will see the bowl while moving over the palm gets filled. As last thing twist the bowl 5 or 6 times over the palm so the tobacco get leveled. Doing so I found virtually impossible to overpack and actually it is pretty fast to do and nice to see.

 

[jpmcwjr]

RE flame to tobacco. You get a very good and even light with the flame never touching the tobacco. The super heated air at the tip of the flame is plenty hot to incinerate ignite!! most tobaccos. Just hold the flame further from the tobacco.

I read somewhere, mighta been here, that if your tobacco is dry enough it's virtually impossible to pack it too tight.

I've noted that, but one person's heavy packing might be a light touch to others and vice-versa.

 

[curl]

What I can't figure out is how to pack lightly with dry tobacco and still have a smoke that lasts 40 minutes.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Bigger pipes. Real big.

 

[bonanzadriver]

Curly, I'm with Thelo on this on. Time to get a big ol Pot!

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Interesting,worth of trying,What I do admire the most is that how artfully some more experienced smoker do fill them pipes using this old conger scoping method putting them pipes in the tobacco pouch and right filling pipe using one finger,and often this all is done so quickly, guess you do know what I mean,

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

"Artfully", "more experienced"? You're talking about codger scooping? Not an art, if you can scoop coffee grounds out of a jar you've essentially mastered it already.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Theloniousmonkfish: Yep Thats I was talking about, assumably those whos practicing this so called 'condger scooping method are smoking cub cut blend primarly, those traditional American ones,

 

[jpmcwjr]

Never thought about a term, but I guess I "codger scoop". Again, if the tobacco is dry enough, you don't have to worry about packing too tight. The drier the tobacco, the tighter it can be packed or tamped. The converse is true, too.

 

[bonanzadriver]

I spent all afternoon yesterday on the golf course "Codger Scoopin" MM 965 into my designated golfin pipe, a sweet little Zulu that appears to have been engineered and constructed for just that purpose!
I don't really codger scoop up in the mancave because I've got everything in tins or jars.
Guess a fella's gotta be flexible and able to adapt and overcome huh? ::

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Bonanzadriver: So True, same here I've got everything in jars, when out for town I keep carrying that roll up leather pouch with only a few grams of tobacco,no more than 1 oz)

 

[dragospiper]

Getting ready to smoke another bowl in a few hours, and you guys are giving a lot of good information here. I will definitely try things you guys mentioned! I love the community on here!

 

[phantomwolf]

I tend to pack lesser and lighter when I am drinking since I am want to smoke more often and for briefer periods. I have yet to experience anything negative. I'd say I'm with you, Bonanzadriver.