Time to Break in the GBD

[brdavidson]

I picked up this GBD last weekend and did a little restore work on the stem (I had a thread earlier about it). I think it's finally time to break out the old feller and start the break in process. What should I smoke to break it in? Current favourites (I'm still mostly smoking Aro's) are Carter Hall, Prince Albert, 1Q, CBR, Peterson Sunset Breeze. I also have some other "premium" tobaccos but I'm not well versed in them yet and think I should stick to something simple to ensure I get a good start on the breaking in.

 

[brdavidson]

Sorry, here's the picture.

 

[smokeybear]

i read somewhere that smoking something with burley in it is good for the cake building process. me i just smoke what i like.

 

[brdavidson]

Perhaps Carter Hall is the way to go, or PA.

 

[rmbittner]

I'm with mikephillips: I never use any particular blend (or kind of blend) to break in a new pipe. Since I dedicate my pipes to specific blends or types of blends (Penzance, English, Balkan/oriental, Virginia, Virginia/burley flakes, aromatics), I just figure out which category it's going into and fill it up with the appropriate blend.
I don't worry about building up cake. Cake seems to take care of itself without any extra attention from me.
Bob

 

[brdavidson]

So Ioaded it up with some CH and lit it up. Didnt get warm to the touch, after the first third it really settled down. Flavour was a little weird, but the bowl wasnt really coated as the black in it is no longer there. I always have an issue withkeeping the bottom of the bowl lit, I've tried keeping the ash in it, dumping the ash out and I always seem to have to use the lighter a lot at the bottom. Any input would be greatly appreciated, I was worried about the bottom of the pipe, so I was real leery about using the lighter.

 

[frennchy11]

Sweet pipe. I have been looking for a nice GBD. Congrats on the new pipe!