snuffed out

[erdocsg]

I have two questions from the suburbs of philly...

1. I know the need to relight a pipe is normal, butI have experienced the need to relight my pipe numerous times, but after 1/2 to 1 minute seems short. is my tobacco packed to tight? not tight enough?

2. should I "fluff" my tobacco up so the unburned bottom tobbaco can get charred?
thanks for all your help!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Your tobacco could be damp and need a little drying time. When packing, constantly check the pipe's draw. The draw should only have a slight resistance when ready to light. Aside from that, puffing cadence is also a factor. Don't sweat relights though, just relax and enjoy the process.

 

[texmexpipe]

I've knocked the ash off the top before, and I've found that if your initial pack is too light that it is easier to remedy than a pack that is too tight. As chasingembers said you should make sure the draw is good before the initial light and if it isn't then dump the whole bowl and try again. Hope that helps.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Dry your tobacco if you have time, and if not just squirt a little lighter fluid in the bowl.
And, if you are talking about goopy aromatics, don't forget the repack method. That's where you dump the goopy tobacco out of your bowl and repack in a real tobacco. :wink:

 

[grue]

if not just squirt a little lighter fluid in the bowl.

Seriously? 8O

 

[deathandtaxes]

@ Cosmic, I almost fell out of my chair with your reference to the "Repack Method" LOL :rofl:

 

[jpmcwjr]

Not serious!! At no time should lighter fluid touch a pipe anywhere. (On the outside, it'll ruin the finish)
I'd agree that drying and careful packing and drawing are the keys.

 

[deathmetal]

Cosmic cracks me up. That repack method is perfect.
I also think Bill makes a good point: find something that works for you, which is probably more a matter of fiddling around than Big Theory.

 

[erdocsg]

thanks for all the advice.

i was using short cadences to keep the pipe lit and longer draws to just " smoke", but both didn't work.

i will try and pack things a little tighter and see how it goes.
do you 'fluff' your tobacco while its lit in the bowl, or is that not helpful?

 

[peteguy]

I just smoked a bowl while puttering around the garage. I wasn't paying attention and probably did 6 relights. Meh, who cares, it still tasted great. You can dump your ash or not - doesn't matter. I'm a dumper guy, hey-yo! You will get the hang of how tight to pack over time and what suits your cadence.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I'd agree that drying and careful packing and drawing are the keys.

Unless it's a flake, then you're doomed.
I agree with the re-pack method as long as you replace the tobacco with some nice burning OTC like Carter Hall or a dry Burley like Five Brothers.

Smaller bowls (narrow) theoretically increase the effectiveless of each puff (less bowl volume means more air flowing past the tobacco per-puff).
A lot of Sutliff Aromatics burn really well without drying, along with some Lane Limited blends like 1-Q. Some aromatics burn slow but the only blends I can get to burn "too quickly" are Aromatic. Those are the blends that keep burning after you put the pipe down, which is perfect if you're strictly limited in the nimber of puffs you can take.

 

[phil67]

if not just squirt a little lighter fluid in the bowl.

______________

Seriously?

Sure... why not? Personally, I use acetone as it dries quickly albeit I do at times hallucinate when I use it.
Other than that, the OP never mentioned what tobacco he was smoking. If by chance it was some goopy aromatic I would strongly suggest starting out, as mentioned by frozen, to start out with an OTC such as Prince Albert or Carter Hall, but I would be somewhat hesitant about the Five Brothers suggestion unless you're used to dealing with nicotine.
I rarely dump out any tobacco while smoking, but I've done it at times. As for fluffing the tobacco once it's in the bowl that is one thing I've never done. Also, don't forget about your tamper. Tamp very lightly when you feel the tobacco is going out. Relights is part and parcel of pipe smoking and a good dose of patience will help.

 

[erdocsg]

@phil67 it is just a store brand from "Holts" in the Philadelphia area. nothing to 'goopy'

 

[lestrout]

Yo erdo - seeing as how you're in the area, you should drop on by Morley's and the 2 dozen or so members will show you at least 30 ways of packing, lighting, relighting, tamping, fluffing, stuffing and stirring.
hp

les