Depends on the tobacco is processed, a ribbon I prefer a wide and deep bowl 22-24x45+mm, a ready rubbed or rubbed flake I like somewhere around 18-20x35-40mm and a fold & stuff flake I prefer my tiny group 1ish.
Do you have any tips for a deeper bowl? I have trouble when I get to the last third because the ash build up seems to smother the ember underneath. Do you dump out the ash during the smoke? I've tried that and it seems to be hit or miss.It depends on what I am doing and how much time I have. I prefer 18-20mm wide x 45,50,55mm depth if I have time. If not, I have three smaller pipes, 2 are 17 x 35 and one is 18x37 or38. And depending on rotation I sometimes load 1/2 bowl in larger pipe. But best smoke for me is 20x55 fully loaded for a long smoke if able --- but thats a couple of hours or more.
Pack lighter, I tend to gravity fill all of mine.Do you have any tips for a deeper bowl? I have trouble when I get to the last third because the ash build up seems to smother the ember underneath. Do you dump out the ash during the smoke? I've tried that and it seems to be hit or miss.
Thank you for that, I have been gravity filling much more lately and it's been working great. The first time I tried SWR and Lane limited RR (which was like filling my pipe with grape nuts) I really understood gravity fill and it's been working great for all my blends. Ribbon cut is still a challenge sometimes though. I'll try packing lighter for deeper bowls. Thanks again.Pack lighter, I tend to gravity fill all of mine.
Always glad to help. ?Thank you for that, I have been gravity filling much more lately and it's been working great. The first time I tried SWR and Lane limited RR (which was like filling my pipe with grape nuts) I really understood gravity fill and it's been working great for all my blends. Ribbon cut is still a challenge sometimes though. I'll try packing lighter for deeper bowls. Thanks again.
If you pack it right you should be able to light it with just one match and burn it to bottom of bowl but it takes practice. Don't tamp the ash too hard ... just lightly. I do dump the ash so it doesn't build up more than a light topping. If it goes out I do stir the remainder re-tamp and re-light. As for packing the bowl there are many videos with good advice on youtube but it takes practice. The best advice I can give is don't think about it just do it quickly without thinking ... thats always the best smoke.Do you have any tips for a deeper bowl? I have trouble when I get to the last third because the ash build up seems to smother the ember underneath. Do you dump out the ash during the smoke? I've tried that and it seems to be hit or miss.
Okay, good to know thank you. At the end of the day I think your advice is correct-don't think too much about it. I've had some of the best smokes that way.If you pack it right you should be able to light it with just one match and burn it to bottom of bowl but it takes practice. Don't tamp the ash too hard ... just lightly. I do dump the ash so it doesn't build up more than a light topping. If it goes out I do stir the remainder re-tamp and re-light. As for packing the bowl there are many videos with good advice on youtube but it takes practice. The best advice I can give is don't think about it just do it quickly without thinking ... thats always the best smoke.