Take Your Time Preparing a Bowl

[john3music]

I’m learning to slow down my cadence when smoking a bowl, but I’m also learning to slow down and prepare a bowl right. A proper pack with a nice draw, and also getting a good char light so that it’ll create a good ember to give me that slow sipping enjoyment.

 

[warren]

Once you figure out the loading process it'll become "quick and dirty", second nature to you and you won't have to spend "smoking time" getting it just right. There's a bit of a learning curve but, you'll soon have a handle on it. Good luck!

 

[DesertDan]

Warren is right, before too long it will be second nature to quickly pack and light without having to give it much thought.
Even after all these years I occasionally get a less than perfect pack. But a quick adjustment with the tamper and it's good to go.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Once you figure out the loading process it'll become "quick and dirty", second nature to you and you won't have to spend "smoking time" getting it just right. There's a bit of a learning curve but, you'll soon have a handle on it. Good luck!

^^^^
This

It'll get to a point that a couple of seconds is all you need to have it packed and lit.

 

[verporchting]

Your first “codger scoop” done without paying attention is a great milestone in any pipe smoker’s development. You will get there, have no fear.

 

[troutface]

also getting a good char light so that it’ll create a good ember

^ This. Too often beginners never get the pipe going properly at the start and then complain that they can't keep it lit. We experienced smokers may be partly to blame because we preach about not getting the pipe too hot, which makes the beginners gun shy. You are wise to get a good ember established and then you're off to the races.

 

[john3music]

Warren is right, before too long it will be second nature to quickly pack and light without having to give it much thought.
Even after all these years I occasionally get a less than perfect pack. But a quick adjustment with the tamper and it's good to go.

Yeah it’s hit or miss. Some days I get perfection. Other I’m like a drunk clown at a circus lol. I figure if I can get into a good rhythm of doing things right so the correct procedures become second nature it’ll become second nature like you said. Sometimes I get sloppy.

 

[john3music]

^ This. Too often beginners never get the pipe going properly at the start and then complain that they can't keep it lit. We experienced smokers may be partly to blame because we preach about not getting the pipe too hot, which makes the beginners gun shy. You are wise to get a good ember established and then you're off to the races.

Yup. I’ll get the pipe puffing just enough to think it’s going but it’s only half lit and then it snowballs from there.

 

[Servant King]

Yup. I’ll get the pipe puffing just enough to think it’s going but it’s only half lit and then it snowballs from there.

I second that...still happens to me way more often than it should. Just absent-mindedness, I suppose. But get it going real good, and it truly is magical. A healthy ember is a happy ember.

 

[FLDRD]

^ This. Too often beginners never get the pipe going properly at the start and then complain that they can't keep it lit. We experienced smokers may be partly to blame because we preach about not getting the pipe too hot, which makes the beginners gun shy. You are wise to get a good ember established and then you're off to the races.

I was truly bedazzled when I learned to get that ember going properly from the beginning.
It was like: "How could I have been overlooking that?"

 

[Jef]

Preparing and loading the bowl is part of the ejoyment for me. I don't mind spending the time.

 

[john3music]

Preparing and loading the bowl is part of the ejoyment for me. I don't mind spending the time.

I completely agree. Spending a couple extra minutes getting it ready to smoke in order to get an enjoyable bowl is worth the time.

 

[anotherbob]

^ This. Too often beginners never get the pipe going properly at the start and then complain that they can't keep it lit. We experienced smokers may be partly to blame because we preach about not getting the pipe too hot, which makes the beginners gun shy. You are wise to get a good ember established and then you're off to the races.

gotta to love when you get a good ember on the first match.

 

[bullet08]

Getting a pipe ready isn't long. It's the freaking 5 min I spend on getting my cuppa ready.

 

[Sigmund]

It doesnt take me long but I take my time. I take my time chosing the blend, picking the pipe etc...
I dont smoke on the run. Those thigs are part of the process I enjoy.

 

[proteus]

Tamping during smoking very very lightly to get a nice ash cake helps too. A continuous load with light pressure as you load helps too. The continuous load is like herding cattle into your pipe with your finger in a long steady stream until full. Best way I can describe my technique.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Any part of pipe smoking can be a ritual. Just enjoy it!

Again, welcome to the forum!

 

[Papamique]

I really enjoy taking my time also while prepping the bowl, tobacco, lighting and smoking.

There are all types of smokers. Some who just want to get a lit pipe in their mouth and go about their business and others that will purposefully take their time as a ritual. I mostly fall in the later and when I can’t take my time, then I don’t smoke at all.

 

[kbussell]

I agree... I make a ritual of the three-layer pack, and it always smokes well.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

My ritual is the codger scoop with my thumb, and I always get a good smoke. I didn't really get into smoking for the prep work. I got into it for the smoking. But, I like that different people are into all of the different aspects of the hobby. It makes it all way more interesting.