Ruminations on the Taste of Corn Cob Pipes

[Briar Lee]

Here’s a gem I found about smoking food with cobs:

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The smoke produced from corn cobs tends to be milder and sweetercompared to other smoking woods, making it well-suited for a wide range of foods. The gentle smokiness can complement the natural flavors of meats, adding a subtle sweetness without overpowering the dish.

The Technique of Corn Cob Smoking

Unlock the Rustic Charm of Smoke: Discover how corn cob smoking infuses a distinct, sweet flavor to meats and veggies thatll transform your backyard BBQ into a gourmet experience!

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I can see where a pipe smoker can get a taste for a cob pipe, and prefer it to briars or meerschaums.

My take on cobs is they are milder, sweeter, and less “pipey” than a briar.

And I can taste a whiff of the cob, as well.

My cobs all taste a tiny bit different, and all are really good.

A beginner is well served to start on a cob.

I don’t own a cob that smokes wet or gurgles. A cob is very porous, and by design they all have a water trap at the bottom. The top grade Missouri Meerschaum cobs have a wooden dowel on the bottom to avoid a soggy, soft, wet bottom of the pipe where the soft inner core is.

And I think they are noticeably milder than any other pipe.

 

[Grangerous]

They are consistently good smokers.

The combination of a wide-open draw, light-weight, porous material and a natural sweetness make them ideal tobacco vessels.

Love em or hate em, they do their job well.

 

[didimauw]

@Briar Lee Pics or It didn't happen. Lets see the old one!

 

[dog_park_piper]

I once thought I was too cool for corn cob pipes. I went about buying expensive pipes. One day I smoked a corn cob and then the next day posted about half of my briars on Ebay. They do a wonderful job.

 

[sablebrush52]

They taste great with melted butter on them.

 

[dog_park_piper]

They taste great with melted butter on them.

That’s how I break mine in

 

[Tate]

Cobs are in last place for me. They get the job done but I think clay, briar, and meerschaum are better.

 

[bullet08]

Corn cob is only used with burley. Briar is better for others. But when it comes to burley, corn cob enhance the enjoyment ten fold. Must have for codger blends.

 

[cynyr]

Must have for codger blends.

I keep Prince Albert on hand exclusively for cobs.

 

[LeafErikson]

light-weight

I see this on the forum sometimes in regards to cobs and I just don’t agree. Most of my medium sized cobs are at least 2oz. There are medium sized briars and meers that are under 1oz.

 

[Briar Lee]

All the codger burleys were carefully blended to be mild, all day smokes.

They are only technically aromatics because of flavorings, not candy sweet pipe shop aromatics.

Prince Albert and Velvet were cigarette and pipe tobaccos.

Cobs are perfect for a codger blend.

 

[Briar Lee]

I see this on the forum sometimes in regards to cobs and I just don’t agree. Most of my medium sized cobs are at least 2oz. There are medium sized briars and meers that are under 1oz.

Why doesn’t a cob just burn up?

Cobs are used to fuel stoves.

Instead with any care at all a cob doesn’t get hot to hold, some folks get a cake in them, and they make a good, mild, sweet smoking pipe.

It’s one of the mysteries I suppose,

 

[minerLuke]

Corn cob is only used with burley. Briar is better for others. But when it comes to burley, corn cob enhance the enjoyment ten fold. Must have for codger blends.

I agree, I still prefer my briars over my cobs overall and especially for any Va or VaPer's but burley generally just tastes better in a cob pipe for me. I have only one briar pipe that is better than cobs for burley, my Dunhill County Liverpool 3110. For some inexplicable reason when I put burley in it, it makes me feel like JimInks. I can almost taste every burley nuance in his burley descriptions. Needless to say, I've pretty much dedicated that pipe to burley flakes. Normally I smoke my codger burley blends in my cobs. I especially like my MM Dagner poker. If/when I get a few more cobs I'm definitely going with an acrylic stem model.

 

[FurCoat]

I like cobs and have some that I bought almost 30 years ago. I have cobs that I use when working outdoors in the garden, lawn and on my cars. I find the plastic stems are best for the yard cobs. They are soft and easy to clench all day. Great pipes.

 

[BenMN]

I like the bent basic model, think it's called "Washington." Good for dog walking, hikes, etc..

Save a few cigar clippings, put on top of or in between some 5 Brothers in a cob... good stuff.

 

[BenMN]

I find the plastic stems are best for the yard cobs. They are soft and easy to clench all day. Great pipes.

100% agree. And I've found the plastic to be quite durable as well.
Tooth marks, yes. But holding up good.

 

[Lumbridge]

People who hate on corn cobs are just mad that an eight dollar cob smokes just as well as their briars costing hundreds. Gotta justify the expense somehow. That, or it's a self-conscious "I don't think I look good smoking a cob" kind of thing.

 

[huntertrw]

As I understand it, after the raw cobs are air-cured (typically over a two-year period) they develop a hardness akin to very dense hardwood, and have to be worked with carbide-tipped tools.

I enjoy the mildly sweet taste of a cob-pipe, and find that it does enhance the flavor of many Burley-based tobacco mixtures.

 

[FurCoat]

100% agree. And I've found the plastic to be quite durable as well.
Tooth marks, yes. But holding up good.

The Danish stems are a good replacement though not quite as comfortable.

 

[Briar Lee]

As I understand it, after the raw cobs are air-cured (typically over a two-year period) they develop a hardness akin to very dense hardwood, and have to be worked with carbide-tipped tools.

I enjoy the mildly sweet taste of a cob-pipe, and find that it does enhance the flavor of many Burley-based tobacco mixtures.

I’ve visited the Washington Missouri factory and they have museum on cobs there.

What gave MM the lead on cobs started with a patented plastering process that adds durability to the aged cob. Most all their pipes are still plastered, each one by hand, today. Don’t buy the “naturals”, you’re giving up quality to look like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn on a raft.

Also the larger cobs like the General or Country Gentleman are worth the price because of better stems, bigger cobs, and a dowel insert. Only MM can raise their patented seeds to that size to make them.

A $15 Country Gentleman or General is the best buy for any pipe in the world, I think.