I've read opinions on both sides of this question. I've heard some smokers say 'don't worry about it, fill it, smoke it, and don't look back. Others have said fill in varying levels to build carbon. Does it really matter? And why?
To break in or not to break in? that is the question
- Thread starter Harsh_Smoke
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An even carbon layer is necessary to prevent burnouts. I just fill and smoke.
I don't worry about it and I ream my bowls out regularly too.
If that happens to cause some destruction one day, I'll move on to a different pipe but so far there have been no disasters.
If that happens to cause some destruction one day, I'll move on to a different pipe but so far there have been no disasters.
Fill it and smoke it. I haven’t hurt one yet.
The universal advice from every pipe manufacturer 80 years ago when there were fifty or more times pipes sold than today was to break in a new pipe slowly, and I use a dab of honey.
The absolute best pipes of Marxman or Bertram quality still need the heat of the first few smokes to completely cure the briar.
I never smoked a new pipe in any other way than I would after 100th smoke. Ive also smoked new pipes with any tobacco, from English to Virginia to Burley. But your style of breaking in a pipe might vary from anyond else, so I would say experiment with it.
This has been the subject of many discussions. I have found no difference in any of the various break in methods and just filling it up and smoking it. Keep it clean. Ream it with a paper towel. Enjoy your new pipe.
Nobody has mentioned using Lakeland tobaccos to break a new pipe in.
You can't stop the break-in process, it happens when you smoke the pipe.
I break them in with the blend or genre that I purchased the pipe for including Lakelands.
I wasn't going to recommend it, although your plan seems sound. However, I've been down the path of assigning a blend to a pipe from new, only to find it a bad match and plans being scuppered.
Other than aesthetics I've not found one pipe to smoke any differently from another. My pairings are mostly whimsical and based on how a pipe reminds me of a blend.
I think the point of using short bowls is to ensure charring the bottom of the bowl. If you smoke wet tobaccos, you might not ever reach the very bottom otherwise. I smoke dryer stuff so I just have at it and usually achieve complete incineration.
Just fill it and smoke (slowly…). I usually start with afew bowls of virginia to evaluate the beast. Then carry on with my usual tobacco rotation to check if there is a special synergy with any.
I remember 50+ years ago, honey or grape jelly in the bowl, fill half way........
I but a new pipe, & I load it & smoke it.
You can look at the paperwork that came with your pipe, follow their instructions.
Do what ever makes you happy, it's yours.
I but a new pipe, & I load it & smoke it.
You can look at the paperwork that came with your pipe, follow their instructions.
Do what ever makes you happy, it's yours.
Break it in with Rattray's Exotic Passion. About 20 smokes over the course of 20 days should do it. And then your pipe will forever taste and smell of oranges and every blend thereafter will be orange. Even if it's not orange.
I am still a little bemused by grape jelly.