Taking out the trash..
- Thread starter JBob
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Not really. That ash also acts as an insulator to keep the tobacco smoldering.
Some dump. Some don’t.
Seems like it prohibits me from smoking the bottom half of the bowl?
Well, I’m somewhat of a beginner myself. Only been at it for 53 years.
Let me know what you find out.
Welcome to a really long learning process... I'll withhold my opinion since it's not worth anything yet, I'm only 3-4 years in and I've still never smoked to the bottom of a bowl. My only piece of advice is to not overthink it and don't wait until you've "figured it out" to start enjoying the pipe. I spent probably 2 years trying to do everything "right" and I've finally given up and just enjoy whatever I get out of a pipe. I've noticed that since I've done that everything has improved, less relights, less tongue bite, getting further down to the bottom of my bowls. Enjoy the journey and don't discount what works for you. No other person can replicate your specific circumstance. Imagine asking someone on a forum how to get a fire in your specific fireplace to burn at exactly X temperature for Y long. There are plenty of good principles that others do in their fireplace, but nothing will ever be tailored specifically to you. You've got to figure that out yourself, but enjoy the journey of figuring it out.
If it's interfering with lighting the tobacco, dump the ash. Otherwise, don't fix the unbroken.
I’ll mention what I do. Nobody in this forum will recommend it.
When I feel the need to dump ash, I turn the bowl upside down and whack the side of it with my metal soft flame lighter. It gets rid of the ash, and then I tamp and smoke.
I do not hit my higher end pipes I want to keep in better condition.
When I feel the need to dump ash, I turn the bowl upside down and whack the side of it with my metal soft flame lighter. It gets rid of the ash, and then I tamp and smoke.
I do not hit my higher end pipes I want to keep in better condition.
In my opinion, either letting the spent ash stay or dumping CAN be done. I do not dump ash from my bowl while smoking, but only after I have finished the pipe…. to me it is easier and simpler. But either way works.
As far as a “crusty shelf” you mention…. That IMO is likely a ridge of uneven “cake” and if becomes bothersome, trimming it down with a pipe tool or pocketknife will smooth out the interior of the bowl again for you…… that step IS recommended ONLY after you are finished smoking the pipe, however.
As far as a “crusty shelf” you mention…. That IMO is likely a ridge of uneven “cake” and if becomes bothersome, trimming it down with a pipe tool or pocketknife will smooth out the interior of the bowl again for you…… that step IS recommended ONLY after you are finished smoking the pipe, however.
Everyone is different. Myself, I usually leave the ash and just tamp and relight when necessary. Occasionally, if it's tricky to relight in a tall bowl I may scrape off the top ash, tamp and relight. I think ash is a good thing. I smoke most of my bowls without ever "ashing" the pipe.
After a certain point, I do dump a layer of ash, then tamp what’s left. I like to get rid of the quilt for just a sheet of ash.
Im a dumper...sometimes.
Im pretty sure its a 50/50 thing in the pipe community.
Its really a "try and see" thing. Try dumping, if it works for you, then dump.
I only smoker outside so its not a big deal. I do not scrape, tap or dig, I just flip the pipe over. Whatever falls out is what falls out.
To be honest its just a habit I think. Im not sure it improved anything.
Im pretty sure its a 50/50 thing in the pipe community.
Its really a "try and see" thing. Try dumping, if it works for you, then dump.
I only smoker outside so its not a big deal. I do not scrape, tap or dig, I just flip the pipe over. Whatever falls out is what falls out.
To be honest its just a habit I think. Im not sure it improved anything.
It might depend upon the consistency of the bottom third of your bowl. If it's packed tightly, dumping the ash won't loose precious tobacco. I would then, take my CSECK tool and stir the remains, tamp lightly and start again, otherwise, I use a wick so that if a prolonged light is required for the last portions, I have it at hand.
Some tobacco requires more management than others. I like broken flakes because they are slow burning without finicky packing.
Some tobacco requires more management than others. I like broken flakes because they are slow burning without finicky packing.
It depends, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I do if it's building up too much and causing issues with relighting, drawing and/or pipe getting too hot... otherwise I don't.
When I do, I just turn it over and give it a little shake or a light *tap tap* with my finger on the side, may or may not stir the ash layer on top first before dumping.
It's not habitual dumping, just a thing I do if the smoke starts being inconsistent in some way.
When I do, I just turn it over and give it a little shake or a light *tap tap* with my finger on the side, may or may not stir the ash layer on top first before dumping.
It's not habitual dumping, just a thing I do if the smoke starts being inconsistent in some way.
I find that some tobaccos form a hard bridge mid bowl especially some flakes. If this is the case then the pick on your pipe tool is your friend but if its just ash then whether you leave it or dump is truly your conundrum.
I find dumping the ash can help to clean up the flavor. If things are tasting muted I’ll attempt to freshen it up by dumping the ash.