Pipe Smoking Newbie: Smoking when it’s cold

[rminervini]

Hi all,

I’ve been smoking now for about a month and I’m starting to get the hang of it but I am running into an issue. I notice when it’s colder outside it’s harder for me to keep the pipe lit and I have to constantly relight, tamp, and/or increase my cadence which a lot of times results in pretty gnarly tongue bite. Apart from not smoking outside when it’s cold out ( my lease does not allow my to smoke inside) does anyone have some tips on how I can keep the pipe lit when it’s cold out without getting tongue bite?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Dry the tobacco more. Probably much more.

Good luck!

 

[Grangerous]

Grab a big coffee, sit in your car and crack a window an inch or two and enjoy.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Outdoor temperature shouldn't affect the way your tobacco burns, the chamber in your pipe is somewhere around 400f - 600f and +/- 50 degrees won't significantly affect the burn of the tobacco.
On the frozen prairies tobacco still burns just fine, what I don't have experience with is humidity, it's pretty much constantly bone dry around here.

 

[elessar]

Welcome from MN. What type of tobacco are you smoking? As jpmcwjr suggested, more dry time.

 

[rminervini]

Welcome from MN. What type of tobacco are you smoking? As jpmcwjr suggested, more dry time.

It’s one of the aromatic blends from my local pipe shop (not a specific name brand). I thought it was pretty dry but seeing as I’m new to this I don’t have a lot to base off. Any advice on how to know when it dry enough or is that something that comes with time/ trial-and-error?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Outdoor temperature shouldn't affect the way your tobacco burns, the chamber in your pipe is somewhere around 400f - 600f and +/- 50 degrees won't significantly affect the burn of the tobacco.
On the frozen prairies tobacco still burns just fine, what I don't have experience with is humidity, it's pretty much constantly bone dry around here.

Where dat?

 

[LeafErikson]

It could be the tobacco humidity or it could be maybe not getting a large enough ember going in on the initial lighting, after you char the tobacco. For me that was an issue when I first started. There should be a pretty large cherry across the entire top of the tobacco chamber. Good luck!

 

[warren]

I've never noticed such a problem. I smoke outside in all kinds of cold, wet and dry, in Alaska. My suspicion is, as a fairly new pipe smoker, you haven't got the packing, lighting and smoking routine down yet. Keep at it, it'll develop.

 

[Casual]

I get a ton more moisture in the bowl in winter, as the whole thing becomes a condenser. Dry more to lessen it somewhat, and try a balsa filtered pipe too, to lessen bite. But it’s not going to be a lot better until it’s warm.

 

[kcghost]

I don't think the weather has much of anything to do with pipe smoking. But, in fairness I have to admit I haven't had to smoke outside since my man cave is always open.

 

[Dudditz]

The struggle is real...

All good info given already. Just to add and reiterate:

• Dry it till it's a little crunchy...I know, sounds bad, but give at least one bowl a shot that way and see what your experience is. You can then dry to either side of that to find where the gold spot is.
• Pack looser. Make sure you leave a little space for oxygen to keep the tobacco ignited as you smoke.
• As noted, get a good ember going in the beginning. Use your pipe tool to spread it evenly across the top of the bowl so you have a even burn as you go.
• Tamp lightly and consistently. (Tamp the sides of the bowl as well as the center)
• MOST IMPORTANT...DON'T make yourself crazy over this. Time, practice and a bunch of mistakes along the way all contribute to the fun. Remember, many of us, not all, do this to relax and enjoy the experience. Good luck. You'll get there. Oh and by the way, when you do, let me know how it is...I am still battling and learning as well. ?

 

[Laurent]

I agree with the drying and the more practice. I smoke outside here in Michigan and it’s 15 degrees, that’s when I need some fresh air from my workshop I normally smoke in. I never had a issue outside and the fresh air seems to have my pipe burn to easy.

 

[JOHN72]

Dry the tobacco more. Probably much more.

Good luck!

Same.........

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

If it's really cold and I'm out walking my nose might run a little and affect taste, but the tobacco burns just fine as long as I wipe on my sleeve and don't let anything drip on it!

IMO.

 

[rminervini]

Thanks for the advice everyone! This is a great community. I’ll definitely try drying it out more

 

[waznyf]

I moved from Michigan to Texas…. Problem solved!

 

[FLDRD]

It’s one of the aromatic blends from my local pipe shop (not a specific name brand). I thought it was pretty dry but seeing as I’m new to this I don’t have a lot to base off. Any advice on how to know when it dry enough or is that something that comes with time/ trial-and-error?

I had that problem with that "quality" (low in my opinion) of tobacco from my B&M for the longest time. For months I stubbornly fought through it / with it / against it and continued to think it was "me".

One day I decided to try different tobacco. When I discovered that even the most average of old codger blends from the discount tobacco shop smoked better (mechanically) than the fancy named aromatics I'd been puffing on - a new world opened up to me.

Not that I necessarily liked them better - they performed better.

Then I dove in and purchased name-brand tins with lots and lots of + reviews online. If the majority of reviewers loved it - I probably would to.

And I did.

Then I was able to begin a path of taste exploration with less than 1/2 the hassle of the mechanics of preparing, drying, packing, lighting, tamping, cadence than before and THAT has made all the difference.

Cheers

 

[jpmcwjr]

Thanks for the advice everyone! This is a great community. I’ll definitely try drying it out more

Welcome!
Might you put a bit in the Newcomers Intro thread? LINK

 

[bullet08]

Thank gods it's no longer cold. During cold months, I smoked other type of tobacco. Didn't like it, but had to get my fix.