Hi everyone I’m getting a new pipe arriving Friday, what should I use I’ve read put honey in or water not sure what works best ,
Smoking a new pipe
- Thread starter Sean cauliflower
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
What are you trying to accomplish? Like why would you do that, is this a brand new pipe or estate (pre-owned / used) pipe?
Smartass answer “i don’t know, honey or water seems like it would require endless relights and gurgle constantly.”
Ok I do that it brand new pipe .I just read that online thought I ask you guys
Everyone has their rituals. I treat anything new just like I treat anything used. I just smoke it normally.
Using honey is usually a way to get cake started (the sugars burn and build up a layer of carbon). There are many smokers here that don't build cake and wipe the chambers out after use (a thin layer of carbon will form that will protect the inside that doesn't need to be as thick as a dime as old school cake builders have advocated). It comes down to personal choice.
Stuff it and puff it. I'm of the minimal cake school. At one time conventional wisdom held that new pipes should be started with a partial (less than half bowl) gradually building to full bowls. This was to build a cake from the bottom. Nowadays I don't hear many advocates of that approach.
Whether you ultimately decide to build cake or not, you still need a thin layer of charcoal. My experience is that simply packing lightly and smoking slowly for a few bowls will accomplish that without the need for any additives. Happy puffing!
I'm in the camp of just pack the pipe lightly and smoke as normal. I do wipe out the bowl with paper towel after each smoke and even do a hot water flush once I have a carbon layer built. I try to not build cake.
Please don't put anything in your new bowl. It will ruin the favor of your tobacco!
A new pipe is the best. I don't believe building cake is a good thing. Would you build cake in your car engine?
A new pipe is the best. I don't believe building cake is a good thing. Would you build cake in your car engine?
A first question should be is the inside of the bowl stained. If it is not then load up and puff slowly. If it is stained I usually remove the stain inside the bowl with alcohol as it tastes nasty then fill and puff away
Running hot water through the bowl and out the stem is a good practice with a brand new pipe. It will remove any briar or other dust or gunk left over from manufacture.
And the amount of moisture on the very dry briar is a good thing. It will not gurgle unless your tobacco is damp. It will give some protection while the first layer of cake is laid down.
And the amount of moisture on the very dry briar is a good thing. It will not gurgle unless your tobacco is damp. It will give some protection while the first layer of cake is laid down.
Briar is very fire retardant, part of the reason it became such a dominant material for pipe bowls. that initial layer of cake will form while you are enjoying your first few bowls of tobacco.
I usually wet the sides inside the bowl twice with wet finger if pipe is uncoated...and smoke slow the whole full bowl
A thin schmear of honey or jelly in the bowl won't hurt.
It probably won't help much either.
I like fiddling around with my pipes so I'll often start a new pipe with a little (very little) honey.
But often not.
Some pipes are fine right out the gate, others need to be broken in to smoke well.
Doing those little "cake" rituals give you an excuse to smoke and hasten the breaking in if that's what's needed.
It probably won't help much either.
I like fiddling around with my pipes so I'll often start a new pipe with a little (very little) honey.
But often not.
Some pipes are fine right out the gate, others need to be broken in to smoke well.
Doing those little "cake" rituals give you an excuse to smoke and hasten the breaking in if that's what's needed.
I wouldn't try smoking my car's exhaust pipe either LOL!
I've actually never heard of coating a new bowl with honey. I don't think I would do that -- it doesn't seem necessary and if anything, it may impart a flavor to your tobacco.
It's a real thing, for ages, for some.
Speeds up carbonizing bowl. But raw sugar does it quicker without taste.