To Rub Or Not To Rub
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There is a flake tutorial HERE (on the sidebar of the homepage).
This is a matter of constant discussion. Try all the methods and choose the one you like.
(I'm a fan of cube-cutting, as are several others who will probably chime in, and I generally dislike rubbing flakes out because I think they burn slower and cooler cubed. Some folks rub them out, apparently with success, though.)
This is a matter of constant discussion. Try all the methods and choose the one you like.
(I'm a fan of cube-cutting, as are several others who will probably chime in, and I generally dislike rubbing flakes out because I think they burn slower and cooler cubed. Some folks rub them out, apparently with success, though.)
Flake processing intensifies and melds the flavor of a blend's components. Both Russ Ouellette and I agree that fully rubbing a flake
delivers more of that flavor during the smoke. Mac Baren product specialist Per Georg Jensen believes that folding and stuffing a flake,
which slows the burn rate, delivers less heat and more flavor. Cube cutting a flake across the grain in strips ~ 5mm wide seems to be
the most popular method around here; and it's sort of a compromise technique. I will frequently fold and scuff a wad of flake, which
is also a compromise between folding and rubbing.
delivers more of that flavor during the smoke. Mac Baren product specialist Per Georg Jensen believes that folding and stuffing a flake,
which slows the burn rate, delivers less heat and more flavor. Cube cutting a flake across the grain in strips ~ 5mm wide seems to be
the most popular method around here; and it's sort of a compromise technique. I will frequently fold and scuff a wad of flake, which
is also a compromise between folding and rubbing.
I clicked on this thread in the hopes if some BBQ talk. . . Pipe talk is just a good. I usually rub my flakes out simply b/c I don't like a punch of tobacco all the time. It's up to personal preference IMO. That's what it's all about; pleasing the smoker not anyone else 
I prefer to rub flakes out if they do so easily. Otherwise, I cut them into cubes. Dark Star, for example, is easier to cut into cubes. Try it different ways then do what works best for you.
I experiment with all of the methods. Cube-cut works best on most "true" flakes. I like BBF rubbed out. Dark Star rubs out into little cubes, so that works. The loose so-called flakes such as Escudo or Dark Twist can either be cubed, rubbed out or folded and stuffed. The point is to get a good smoke.
If I am smoking inside I cube cut all my flakes. If I am smoking outside I will fold and stuff. I never fully rub out flakes as I find they burn too hot and lose flavor. The reason I smoke flakes exclusively is because of their slow burning and cool smoking properties along with the great flavors they provide.
Rub or "fold and stuff" both work well for me. However, basically, I am a pack and burn kind of guy. Therefore, when I created Cornell and Diehl's "Captain Bob's Pot-O-Gold Mixture" it was a "pack-and-burn" Mixture just for Virginia Lovers. It does taste like a Flake, but in a Traditional Cut. That being said, I do still enjoy Golden Sliced now and then. When I do, I fold and pack. P-O-G is only available from C&D by direct order. A couple reviews are below if you care to read them. There are so many excellent Flakes available. Do not limit yourself to just one. C&D as well as MacBarren and McClelland all have very excellent Flakes. But, you do have to enjoy taking the time to prepare your smoke. I smoke so much that I rarely care to take that time to prepare. However, when I do, it is well worth the effort. Carry on!
http://tobaccoreviews.com/blend_detail.cfm?ALPHA=C&TID=4062
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http://tobaccoreviews.com/blend_detail.cfm?ALPHA=C&TID=4062
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Experiment! I found Capstan Blue Flake to be best, for me, cube cut in a briar pipe. It was horrible in a cob, lol. On the other hand, I like Peterson Irish Flake rubbed out in a cob. Penzance gets the fold and stuff treatment, always in a briar. Like everything else, it is all up to your personal preference.
The only flake that I smoke regularly is Orlik Golden Sliced, and I cube cut it. I occasionally smoke Dunhill Flake, and I cube cut that too. I know cigrmaster is exclusively a flake smoker, ( because of his cellar pictures), so you should ask him what he recommends as far as packing methods and choice in pipes for flakes.
I never rub a flake tobacco, I just fold over a bit then pack it and enjoy. I always smoke flake in a larger pipe, now with a kake like say pirate kake, my favorite, I always rub.
Dry Rub followed by a white vinegar, chili flake, and white pepper mopping sauce every hour for the first half of the cook. Ya'll are making me hungry. Least that's what I do on my pork shoulders.
Far as flakes go, I tend to fold them, twist/tear them, then smoke them. I like them a little rugged. Coins I tend to rub out a little bit but not too fine.
Rig. Yeah I didn't care for Capstan Blue in a cob either. Don't know if I needed to baby it better or what.
I tried all three methods (on MacBaren Vanilla Cream Flake and a straight VA flake). I can see the benefits to all. But I'm thinking each tobacco will respond differently to each method. MacBaren responded better rubbed but smoked a little hotter. The VA flake was great cubed or stuffed. I think the cut method makes for a longer smoke.
...To each his own I guess...just like I prefer a dry rub on my BBQ.
...To each his own I guess...just like I prefer a dry rub on my BBQ.
Pipes and/or blends as well as puffing style all affect the temperature, and not to ignore tobacco moisture level and pipe saturation, either. So, it is a complex set of variables. All, to be experimented with until you find what works best for you. And, that will vary, as well. There just ain't one answer on this topic that would work for every one.
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