Relighting a Half-smoked Bowl.

[Grampz]

Is it a waste of time to relight a half-smoked bowl that you've had to set aside and then come back to?

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

Occasionally while smoking, something will demand my attention and both hands for 5-10 minutes, requiring me to set down my pipe. I've yet to figure out how to relight without getting an awful, ashy taste. Dumping the contents, usually one-third or more of the tobacco is un-charred, so it's not like it's burned down to nothing. Should I just plan on dumping, refilling and lighting, or is there a salvage technique?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Some blends are quite good after a break. Try running a pipe cleaner through to suck up any excess moisture before relighting.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Depends on the blend. ?️

 

[Grampz]

Some blends are quite good after a break. Try running a pipe cleaner through to suck up any excess moisture before relighting.

I hadn't thought about that. Will give it a try next time.

 

[Ebarber]

Yep some blends I find ok after leaving for a while but others terrible.
Usually a few hours is ok but I've not found a blend to be very good after overnight. Sometimes is still just ok but not worth it to me. I prefer a fresh bowl.

 

[anotherbob]

I think the pipe cleaner trick should help. I can't see most blends getting nasty that quick though.

 

[onestrangeone]

It also helps to dump the ash and maybe some of the charred tobacco.

 

[greeneyes]

This is one of the best tests to know whether you're smoking quality tobacco. If the leaf is good, it will taste good---perhaps even better---later.

 

[verporchting]

Depends on the blend. ?️

This ^^^^

 

[bullet08]

Yupe. Pipe cleaner, and dump the ashes.

 

[FALaholic]

I don’t think it’s a waste at all. Most especially if it’s a great blend…an aged Virginia for example. Mediocre aromatic…ehh.

 

[verporchting]

In my experience it doesn’t take very long to decide whether to proceed or not. A few puffs will tell the tale of whether it’s going to be enjoyable or get dumped post haste. YMMV.

 

[leonardbill1]

Do it all the time. If it tastes bad, I dump it.

 

[sablebrush52]

No, it isn't a waste of time. I do it often.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Depends on the blend. ?️

'¨¨This, often blends with Burley or where there is DF in abundance may turn to be harsh &tar tasting if left unburned for more than one hour

 

[turtlehead]

thanks for asking! coming from cigars, I tend to toss stuff if put down for too long, but I like the pipe cleaner idea

 

[PipesRock]

I do it often. As said it depends on the blend, dump ash, run pipe cleaner for moisture etc... Sometimes that cooled remaining portion is more than OK it's great. Very different than relighting a cigar cooled for a couple hours.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It's not a waste of time for me. Sometimes I even will do a charring light the night before on the pipe I pack to wake up to, to get that second smoke stoved taste. But, this is for Virginias and Virginia forward blends. I don't do it as much for latakia heavy or aromatic blends. YMMV... It just depends on what you find enjoyable.

 

[JSPiper71]

Hi Gramps, Well covered in my thread from earlier. You can read a bunch of responses here:

Smoking unfinished bowl next day (or two) :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions :: Pipe Smokers Forums of PipesMagazine.com

 

[Sir Yak]

It wouldn’t waste very much time to relight and take a couple of puffs?. If it tastes good smoke on. If you’re not impressed dump it out. A lot of times it will prob be fine.