Hopefully I’m not breaking a rule here! Saw an old thread about screens, 2011, that was closed to further replies, don’t know why. I’m new and bought a bag of pipe cleaners that had a wind cap and screens. Having drawn some tobacco through the mouthpiece once, I put one in just above the hole from the stem. It seems that I can pack tighter without restricted draw and smoke with less heat and fewer relights. Am I missing something? I value the input I get from this site, please comment!
Screens
- Thread starter PipeGarGuy
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Yep, screens do work, but I find them personally a hassle. They are useful for pipes with misdrilled draught holes though.
Been smoking a pipe for 50 years, with a maybe 15 year cigar break in the middle. Never used a screen, never heard of one being used. Yeah, sometimes a piece of tobacco comes through the mouthpiece, but I think that's more technique than anything else, and not really that big of an issue. It sounds like what you really have is technique issues, common with newer smokers.
So do you think I should do away with the screen even though I’m getting good results?Been smoking a pipe for 50 years, with a maybe 15 year cigar break in the middle. Never used a screen, never heard of one being used. Yeah, sometimes a piece of tobacco comes through the mouthpiece, but I think that's more technique than anything else, and not really that big of an issue. It sounds like what you really have is technique issues, common with newer smokers.
When you pack the pipe, couple of things can prevent or at least help with sucking bits and pieces out of chamber. While you're prepping the tobacco, grab a big pinch and drop it on wherever you were drying it. Do it few more times. You will notice finer bits will drop to the bottom, and bigger pieces on top. Pack bigger pieces first. Bigger pieces will help smaller bits from getting sucked out. Other thing to think about when you are packing is air pocket. You can pack loosely, but you can also pack tight with good size air pocket at the bottom. Both give good draw.
Screen is not used in tobacco pipe. It's just the way it is. We don't draw hard enough to suck anything out most of the time. Screen is mostly used by those who indulge in "weed".
Screen is not used in tobacco pipe. It's just the way it is. We don't draw hard enough to suck anything out most of the time. Screen is mostly used by those who indulge in "weed".
If it works for you no problem,but as stated above as you gain more experience you will find they are not needed
Sounds as if you’ve found a marked improvement by using them, so carry on using them. You’re not doing anything wrong, do what works for you.
Screens seem to be a "thing" for pot smokers.
In 55 years of pipe smoking, I've never used one. I think it's important to build a cake in the heel of the bowl and I would assume a screen would interfere with that process.
In 55 years of pipe smoking, I've never used one. I think it's important to build a cake in the heel of the bowl and I would assume a screen would interfere with that process.
It may be, but even with good technique, an occasional errant piece of tobacco will find its way in. Sometimes, it is due to the tobacco itself being very fine, sometimes you pack too lightly, sometimes you draw too hard, sometimes the pipe is drilled oddly, and sometimes just because. Personally, when I do get the odd tobacco piece in the way, I find a quick run of a pipe cleaner does the job and removes the obstacle. But if this works for you, then keep on keeping on.
I never used a screen for my tobacco pipes but had the idea before, I won't do it because a screen is just more yucked up stuff to deal with, especially when used with a big bowl of tobacco. I prefer to take a nice little wad out of the fluffy shag corner of the tobacco jar and pack that first and pack it down good. Afterwards the crumbly or even powdery parts can go in, doesn't matter.
Sometimes a little bit will still get in my mouth but I don't mind. I once accidentaly swallowed half a cheek of chew, after that you really don't give much of a shit anymore. Maybe a big one soon afterwards but that's it.
Better that crumb of fresh and sweet tobacco than dry ash or pipe juice.
Sometimes a little bit will still get in my mouth but I don't mind. I once accidentaly swallowed half a cheek of chew, after that you really don't give much of a shit anymore. Maybe a big one soon afterwards but that's it.
Better that crumb of fresh and sweet tobacco than dry ash or pipe juice.
Yes, and no. There are things you can do to by passing certain issues without learning some simple skills. Using filter is one thing. Screen might be another. Some feels they have to have filter and that's fine. You might think screen will help. It's totally up to you as to use implements or learn new techniques. You don't really have to dry the tobacco, but drying helps to enjoy smoking better. You don't have to slow down cadence, but it help to avoid certain issues. It's smoking, if you enjoy the way you are doing thing then that's completely fine.
When I was a kid I swallowed some tobacco juice and stopped chewing altogether! Maybe it is bad technique to blame but I think while I’m learning good technique I’ll keep the screen cuz it alleviates so many issues for me.
That's perfectly fine. Some people here would probably try to take a swing at me if they saw how barbarically I puff up my tobac sometimes. Do you use one of those fine screens or one of those with about a dozen wider holes in them? One time I was thinking about cutting off pieces of a steel fibre sponge and use that as a disposable screen I can just dump after use.
If you have the money you might want to start thinking about using sepiolith/Meerschaum pieces as a bedding.
They also help with soaking up excess moisture that comes up during a smoke.
It's your pipe! Do whatever gives you a pleasant smoking experience.
I do use screen 
. I'm still considered new in pipe smoking. Ya.... Tobacco and ash got into my mouth before, and I don't use filter, coz I find it using a filter is even more troublesome than using a screen. So i decided to use screen. Even until now I am still using screen. I know.... if it's the correct way of smoking, there shouldn't have ash or tobacco gets into mouth, but, It's like don't have the confidence do away the screen 
so, i still use it.
. I'm still considered new in pipe smoking. Ya.... Tobacco and ash got into my mouth before, and I don't use filter, coz I find it using a filter is even more troublesome than using a screen. So i decided to use screen. Even until now I am still using screen. I know.... if it's the correct way of smoking, there shouldn't have ash or tobacco gets into mouth, but, It's like don't have the confidence do away the screen so, i still use it.I use fine woven screen like what’s on your windows and doors. They came in a bag of pipe cleaners. I have a lot of moisture but I’m using very dark, very moist blends. What is it that you use the Meerschaum for?
I know, now, that some frown upon it but I think I’ll keep using it till my technique improves.I do use screen