Pembroke - Will Not Stay Lit. Very Frustrating.

[3rdguy]

Exactly.

Eventually it will just click for you on the loading etc. Just remember down tne road to help out the newbies.If a "new" method of loading a pipe helps new smokers....that is a great thing!

 

[scmkr]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Had to take a break for a few days to let my mouth heal. Today I had a real nice smoke with good 'ol OGS.
I think part of my problem has definitely been how I light it. I was drawing too hard, causing a cone to form down the middle and not fully lighting everything. So, I've been holding the flame a bit above the surface and drawing lightly, seems to get more of the top lit.
Another problem has probably been trying too many tobaccos. They all seem to smoke differently, so I think I'll just stick with OGS until I have it mastered. It tastes great, last forever (takes over an hour to smoke this group 3 bowl), and burns well.

 

[sablebrush52]

Another problem has probably been trying too many tobaccos. They all seem to smoke differently, so I think I'll just stick with OGS until I have it mastered. It tastes great, last forever (takes over an hour to smoke this group 3 bowl), and burns well.

Smart move. Get used to one, then try another and get used to that one. Then try another and another and get used to them. Eventually you will know how to approach a wide variety of tobaccos based on your previous experience.

 

[techie]

I feel like I was doing better earlier on, but somewhere along the way I learned something that has set me back. I don't know what it is, though. I just remember not having so much trouble back in January.

If you're in an area like mine where the winters are often drier than the summers, it could explain why it was easier for you in and around January. My summer humidity averages about 70% and it does take longer for tobacco to air dry.
Just a thought.

 

[scmkr]

If you're in an area like mine where the winters are often drier than the summers, it could explain why it was easier for you in and around January. My summer humidity averages about 70% and it does take longer for tobacco to air dry.

I wish it was that. I live in the desert. Less than 30% all year long, and central air (so I can't blame it on a swamp cooler either).
I live in one of the driest places, and folks saying "leave it out to dry for 10-20 minutes" still doesn't seem to make any sense. Hardly any drying occurs in that amount of time.