Rim Charring

[RevBriar]

Hey all,

Any advice on avoiding rim charring? I think I'm keeping the flam off the rim while lighting, tamping the ash, etc., but I still end up with some charring on the stem-side of the rim. Is this just unavoidable?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Don't over fill. Don't let the flame touch the tobacco.

 

[AJL67]

as long as it isn't actually charred a little spit, paper towel and elbow grease will clean those rims right up

 

[RevBriar]

Don't over fill. Don't let the flame touch the tobacco.

Ah, over filling may be part of it.
And... now I feel ignorant here, but... how are you lighting without letting the flame touch the tobacco? Or do you mean hold the flame well over the bowl and bring it in when drawing? If so, I'm with you there.

 

[RevBriar]

as long as it isn't actually charred a little spit, paper towel and elbow grease will clean those rims right up

Will give it a good scrubbing then and see! Thanks!

 

[warren99]

as long as it isn't actually charred a little spit, paper towel and elbow grease will clean those rims right up

This typically works for me as well.

 

[anotherbob]

do you have any pipes with the beveled rims? That should give you a good idea of what line you want to pack up to. I've been doing that for about a year and have noticed that the dense tar that is misnomered as char doesn't form as quickly or densely. Frankly I kind of miss it a bit. I always associate that with a pipe that is used.
What concerns me is that crack in the one pipe. Either it's an estate or it looks like you tap out your pipes on hard surfaces or over light the pipes. While they're your pipes no reason to break them.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Hey all,

Any advice on avoiding rim charring? I think I'm keeping the flam off the rim while lighting, tamping the ash, etc., but I still end up with some charring on the stem-side of the rim. Is this just unavoidable?
View attachment 224746

Pack about 1/8" below the top of the chamber and keep the flame above the pipe and draw the flame toward the tobacco. This should cut down on any damage.

 

[mortonbriar]

You can also wet the rim before lighting.

I decided that a slightly blackened rim on the edge of a 'chamber of fire' is perfectly normal.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I do not recommend wetting the rim on newer Savinelli pipes, for what it's worth—the stain on the new pipes doesn't handle moisture very well (I learned the hard way).

 

[verporchting]

As above but maybe try just holding the flame over the bowl for 1-2 seconds and lifting it clear. Repeat as you puff / draw in. I don’t hold the flame over the tobacco for any longer than that. Seems to work fine.

 

[sablebrush52]

One of the single best bits of advice i got regarding this was to wet the rim with some spit before you light up. Along with the other suggestions that will go a long ways toward avoiding charring of the rim. A certain amount of rim darkening from heat, not to be confused with charring or any actual damage, is pretty common and more noticeable on lighter finishes than on darker finishes.

 

[SBC]

Some good advice here, Stranger.
Yes, saliva cuts this stuff best.

Also, be drawing forcefully before the flame gets near the bowl, and follow through until after the flame has left the building, so that the flame is always being sucked away from the periphery when near the bowl.

But as some others have said, some darkening is par for the course and doesn't bother me.

 

[Hillcrest]

Your darkening is on the stem side; turn your back to the wind as well as above. Some left over coffee on a pice of paper towel works as well as saliva to clean darkening. Some of that may be the heat from bowl coming up and over the rim from puffing too much while lighting.

 

[condorlover1]

Normally avoided if you stop trying to ignite your flatus! On a serious note I have always been told that a little spit on the rim works well. Fortunately I don't have to deal with this in meerschaum world.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Hey all,

Any advice on avoiding rim charring? I think I'm keeping the flam off the rim while lighting, tamping the ash, etc., but I still end up with some charring on the stem-side of the rim. Is this just unavoidable?
View attachment 224746

Try holding your pipes so that the rim is more level when lighting. I'd wager that you are pointing your pipes downward when lighting, and the flame is able to kiss the aft end of the rim more often between puffs.

 

[Waning Embers]

Is this just unavoidable?

No, just apply the flame while drawing and remove it while still drawing. This pipe has been in my collection since '92 with no charring, it is possible.



As much as some crow about not letting the flame touch the tobacco, I've NEVER seen it done it real life. Someone needs to do a closeup video.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Ah, over filling may be part of it.
And... now I feel ignorant here, but... how are you lighting without letting the flame touch the tobacco? Or do you mean hold the flame well over the bowl and bring it in when drawing? If so, I'm with you there.

You can hold the flame high enough above the tobacco surface, and still light it, when it will appear the flame does not touch the tobacco. Try it and see. But if you just hold it high over the center of the bowl and draw the flame to the tobacco, it won't char the rim either. The air is mostly coming up the center of the bowl and it will draw the flame there where it won't touch the rim.

 

[Zamora]

Ah, over filling may be part of it.
And... now I feel ignorant here, but... how are you lighting without letting the flame touch the tobacco? Or do you mean hold the flame well over the bowl and bring it in when drawing? If so, I'm with you there.

Just hover the flame over the bowl, it'll still ignite. Even when you've smoked well into a bowl you can still do that for relights. With the charring light the tobacco will rise to the top of the bowl anyway, so filling to or past the top will often cause overflow.

 

[huntertrw]

Rim Charring​

Avoid the Ghost Pepper nachos...