I'm somewhat new to the pipe, but I am a former cigarette smoker (quit seven years ago). Therefore, I do not want to inhale--I repeat--I do not want to inhale--I did enough of that in my cigarette smoking days. I really want to enjoy the pipe, the taste of tobacco, and try to limit the health risks.
However, I think I am doing something wrong. I only smoke one bowl every two to three days. Different pipes (two briars and a cob) different tobaccos (mainly aros, although I tried Old Dublin the other night for the first time--really liked it). Each morning, however, I wake up with a scratchy throat, a filminess in my mouth, and a slight tightness in my upper bronchioles. I guess the filminess is most likely due to the richness of the tobacco (similar when I smoke a cigar) but I don't think the scratchy throat or chest tightness should be there--never have this when I smoke an occasional cigar.
Based on the other posts on the forum, I know I am supposed to "sip" the pipe rather than "puff." When I'm smoking I'm doing my best not to inhale (even taking short breath while holding the pipe before I take a sip or puff to ensure I don't inhale), however I also find myself holding my breath a bit. Sometimes I notice that I get more flavor when some of the tobacco smoke gets in my nose, but I also wonder if I'm inadvertently inhaling when I do this. I don't feel like I get any flavor simply by "sipping" but then I must be doing something wrong because that is exactly what many of you say to do to get the most flavor from tobacco. Should I be sipping and exhaling smoke through my mouth and nose to get more flavor? Or just through my mouth? What is the technique of a good sip? Is it the same as sipping a cup of hot coffee or tea?
Again, I am very cognizant about NOT inhaling doing everything in my power not to, but my technique must suck because I think I'm doing it anyway. I've read a little here about "retro-inhaling"-- Does anyone know what this is?
Finally, are there any good instructions on how to do the breath smoking technique? It appears that this is one of the most preferred methods of pipe smoking by those on the forum. I've watched a YouTube video and tried it a few times, but I still find myself holding my breath a bit because I feel like I may be inhaling since you have to breathe through your nose while keeping the pipe in your mouth. Also, my pipe goes out constantly when using this method and I find myself relighting again and again, taking stronger puffs to get a good burn going and then burning my tongue in the process.
Is there a way to know one is in fact NOT inhaling when smoking a pipe?
Sorry, lots of questions here, but I am a little frustrated since I know there must be pleasure in the pipe because I really do love the taste of tobacco, I love how relaxed I am after smoking a bowl (really helps me fall asleep after a long day), and I've read post after post on this forum of how enjoyable pipe smoking can be without inhaling the tobacco. If that's the case, then I must be doing something wrong, because I doubt I'm supposed to feel this way in the morning after smoking only one bowl.
However, I think I am doing something wrong. I only smoke one bowl every two to three days. Different pipes (two briars and a cob) different tobaccos (mainly aros, although I tried Old Dublin the other night for the first time--really liked it). Each morning, however, I wake up with a scratchy throat, a filminess in my mouth, and a slight tightness in my upper bronchioles. I guess the filminess is most likely due to the richness of the tobacco (similar when I smoke a cigar) but I don't think the scratchy throat or chest tightness should be there--never have this when I smoke an occasional cigar.
Based on the other posts on the forum, I know I am supposed to "sip" the pipe rather than "puff." When I'm smoking I'm doing my best not to inhale (even taking short breath while holding the pipe before I take a sip or puff to ensure I don't inhale), however I also find myself holding my breath a bit. Sometimes I notice that I get more flavor when some of the tobacco smoke gets in my nose, but I also wonder if I'm inadvertently inhaling when I do this. I don't feel like I get any flavor simply by "sipping" but then I must be doing something wrong because that is exactly what many of you say to do to get the most flavor from tobacco. Should I be sipping and exhaling smoke through my mouth and nose to get more flavor? Or just through my mouth? What is the technique of a good sip? Is it the same as sipping a cup of hot coffee or tea?
Again, I am very cognizant about NOT inhaling doing everything in my power not to, but my technique must suck because I think I'm doing it anyway. I've read a little here about "retro-inhaling"-- Does anyone know what this is?
Finally, are there any good instructions on how to do the breath smoking technique? It appears that this is one of the most preferred methods of pipe smoking by those on the forum. I've watched a YouTube video and tried it a few times, but I still find myself holding my breath a bit because I feel like I may be inhaling since you have to breathe through your nose while keeping the pipe in your mouth. Also, my pipe goes out constantly when using this method and I find myself relighting again and again, taking stronger puffs to get a good burn going and then burning my tongue in the process.
Is there a way to know one is in fact NOT inhaling when smoking a pipe?
Sorry, lots of questions here, but I am a little frustrated since I know there must be pleasure in the pipe because I really do love the taste of tobacco, I love how relaxed I am after smoking a bowl (really helps me fall asleep after a long day), and I've read post after post on this forum of how enjoyable pipe smoking can be without inhaling the tobacco. If that's the case, then I must be doing something wrong, because I doubt I'm supposed to feel this way in the morning after smoking only one bowl.
