This might help the way I dump ash. I poke at it with the stick part of the tool just a couple pokes into the and around the ash. Stir it a little bit and turn the pipe upside down. The excessive ash falls out nicely.
Relights - Maybe it’s just me
- Thread starter RatchetT
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I know that I've experienced it, but it doesn't seem to happen as much anymore. I think I've learned to draw more gently while relighting, which helps keep from pulling ash particles through the unburned tobacco. And perhaps I just tune it out, knowing that tobacco sometimes tastes a little off while relighting, but usually rights itself.
But it could also be that you just like the taste of your chosen blends more during the first part of the bowl, and relights start to activate less-desirable flavors in the dottle toward the end. That's all that comes to my mind...
But it could also be that you just like the taste of your chosen blends more during the first part of the bowl, and relights start to activate less-desirable flavors in the dottle toward the end. That's all that comes to my mind...
After smoking the bowl past halfway, and a fair amount of ash has built up; I'll gently stir the top layer of ash and dump it out. That way I don't disturb the pack. Not every bowl requires this, but when I notice the ashy flavor or the bowl isn't re-lighting very well, I'll dump the ash.
The only time I taste ash is when I don’t realize that the tobacco is gone and I keep trying to relight dottle.
I suspect that more frequent tamping will reduce your relights. Most newer smokers do not tamp nearly enough. Try to lightly tamp as you go along, and if the tobacco is at the right moisture, you can go a long time with no relights and continue to burn fresh tobacco
I suspect that more frequent tamping will reduce your relights. Most newer smokers do not tamp nearly enough. Try to lightly tamp as you go along, and if the tobacco is at the right moisture, you can go a long time with no relights and continue to burn fresh tobacco
At some point in every smoke I turn the bowl upside down and let whatever ash falls go. Then, I tamp very lightly, re-light and I’m usually good to go. Is this right or wrong? Who knows and more important, who cares.
Sounds right to me. I’m an ash dumper too. If it’s breaking some cardinal rule of pipe smoking, ask me if I care.
Past the halfway point of the bowl, I may tap out ash or gently scrape it out if the pipe goes out and I feel it facilitates relights in that situation. Afterwards I gently tamp to even out the surface before lighting again.
I don't get a foul taste when lighting/relighting, but I suspect that the taste you're experiencing might have more to do with the heat of the combustion when you are lighting. IMO, ash on top doesn't really affect the flavor and may even improve the burn, much like the ash on a cigar.
If you are having to relight a lot, play around with your packing and lighting method until finding something that works for you. Been smoking a pipe for five years now and I still mess up a pack from time to time - not quite autopilot for me just yet.
I don't get a foul taste when lighting/relighting, but I suspect that the taste you're experiencing might have more to do with the heat of the combustion when you are lighting. IMO, ash on top doesn't really affect the flavor and may even improve the burn, much like the ash on a cigar.
If you are having to relight a lot, play around with your packing and lighting method until finding something that works for you. Been smoking a pipe for five years now and I still mess up a pack from time to time - not quite autopilot for me just yet.
This is a great tip and one that has helped me immensely. As a newer pipe smoker I'm finding I'm definitely having fewer relights as I progress.
Never seen a need to dump ash. I suppose if I smoked really tall bowls, it could happen. Since it is already burnt, I can’t imagine it causing an ashy taste.
Agree completely. I find maintenance through tamping helps the process immensely.
I tip the ash once or twice per bowl (bowl depths average 1.5 inches). I can certainly taste ash and muted tobacco flavors once it starts accumulating.
It’s not my problem others taste buds can detect it. Mine do, and the taste freshens back up when I do.
It’s not my problem others taste buds can detect it. Mine do, and the taste freshens back up when I do.
I never use a pick or any tool in the chamber till the smoke is done. Sometimes I tap the side and dump ash, but that's it. Drier tobacco, light tamps as mentioned above also help.
If you've never found tamping helpful, than you're absolutely tamping wrong. Spend a bit of time researching how to do so properly, as you'll eventually find correct tamping an invaluable tool.
Since my last post in this thread, I've spent a lot more time using a finger to tamp, and it has been eye-openingly informative. With a fingertip, it's so much easier to feel where the loose spots are, and tamp them without compressing the ash/tobacco any more than necessary. And you can feel where the hot spots are, to push fresh tobacco toward them. This has helped teach me how to use a tamping tool more effectively, but I will probably always use both a finger and the tool going forward. It has really helped me extend the time between relights, which not only cuts down on the annoyance factor, but keeps my palate fresher, too. (Relights zap my mouth with some tobaccos.) Something to consider, @RatchetT .
If it started not too long ago, check out your pipe cake, it could be time to remove some. When it becomes too tick, everything starts tasting bland and ashy.
It is you. Last night I loaded up in the car and exited. I must’ve walked too near a street lamp, because my bowl ignited. One hour later… clean, dry, gray ash.
That's awesome. As you're discovering, this is a journey and very few go on it without a ton of trial and error. I too am still learning and figuring things out. Cheers.Since my last post in this thread, I've spent a lot more time using a finger to tamp, and it has been eye-openingly informative. With a fingertip, it's so much easier to feel where the loose spots are, and tamp them without compressing the ash/tobacco any more than necessary. And you can feel where the hot spots are, to push fresh tobacco toward them. This has helped teach me how to use a tamping tool more effectively, but I will probably always use both a finger and the tool going forward. It has really helped me extend the time between relights, which not only cuts down on the annoyance factor, but keeps my palate fresher, too. (Relights zap my mouth with some tobaccos.) Something to consider, @RatchetT .
I never dump ashes and I have never tasted ash while smoking.
edit: ...except maybe the last little bit that lets me know that I've finished my pipe. But, it doesn't ruin my day.
edit: ...except maybe the last little bit that lets me know that I've finished my pipe. But, it doesn't ruin my day.
Idea of relight evolved with my pipe smoking. Now days, I really don't think about it. If it needs it, even if it didn't go out, I'll relight. Only thing that didn't change is, relight is very quick. Barely go near the top of tobacco and they are good to go.