Tamping Practices

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Jahman7

Might Stick Around
Jul 25, 2024
95
305
Texas
I've learned on my own the ideal time to tamp. I base it on the quality of the smoke. Often I have to tamp regularly. Rarely, like tonight, do I find I don't need to tamp at all for most of the bowl. These are often the best smokes I have. It's based on the quality of the pack.

I'm wondering if everyone tamps based on the same criteria or if it's just a habitual thing done for no other reason than to keep things burning smoothly.
 

Pypkė

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 3, 2024
597
1,761
East of Cleveland, Ohio. USA
I pack the bowl using my finger. Usually the first pinch gets a light pack down in the bowl, then a larger pinch gets a stronger pack so it's not springing up out of the bowl. I like to smoke from pots, so a third pinch gets a solid pack over that. Works well if the tobacco isn't too moist.
 
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telescopes

Pipe Dreamer and Star Gazer
I agree that the ember is being pushed toward the tobacco through tamping, but I also tamp to keep the tobacco packed at a correct pressure while smoking. I use a modified Frank method to load the pipe - this tends to create a bit of space between the bottom of the bowl and the tobacco. Tamping helps me maintain packing pressure as needed.
 
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WirelessSmoke

Can't Leave
Jul 14, 2024
349
4,340
New England
I tamp whenever I just feel like it might be needed, less often now I've gained a little experience. It usually is around the same time that I might need to relight.
 
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Sig

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 18, 2023
674
3,290
Western NY
I'm mindless too!!
Most pipes I don't tamp until the very bottom to see if there is anything left.
And I also use my finger.
 

renfield

Unrepentant Philomath
Oct 16, 2011
5,440
45,865
Kansas
As required. I have no idea how often that is because it’s something that I do without thinking about it. Another vote for mindless.
 

Sparcdude

Might Stick Around
Feb 9, 2023
86
326
New Hampshire
Never thought about it before. I usually just use my thumb (it’s got quite the callous!) or a golf tee or even a pipe tamper.

Just a mindless action for me, and I’m good at mindless. Just ask my wife...