To Rub Or Not To Rub

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tamer291

Can't Leave
Jun 26, 2013
446
1
Well dealing with flakes is it better to use the fold and stuff method or rub it loose? Is it all personal preference or are there benefits to both techniques?

 

jbbaldwin

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 1, 2012
557
42
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.)

 

cortezattic

Lifer
Nov 19, 2009
15,147
7,637
Chicago, IL
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.

 

cavendish

Part of the Furniture Now
Jan 22, 2013
806
1
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 ;)

 

wayneteipen

Can't Leave
May 7, 2012
473
221
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.

 

flyguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2012
1,018
4
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.

 

rayje589

Can't Leave
Nov 28, 2012
358
0
I'll probably echo most of the sentiment of others and say cube cut it. I find it gives the best flavor.

 

lostandfound

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 30, 2011
924
44
I fold a flake in half lengthwise, twice. Then I rip off small chunks from the end.

 

bryanf

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 16, 2013
742
8
Sorry, I saw the post title and all I could think was, "That's what she said."

 

jbbaldwin

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 1, 2012
557
42
I clicked on this thread in the hopes if some BBQ talk.
As for that -- I say no dry rub. Vinegar and pork only for me, but I'll bet a lot of Memphis-, South Carolina-, and Texas barbecue fans would differ!
I saw the post title and all I could think was, "That's what she said."
No dry rub. :D

 

cigrmaster

Lifer
May 26, 2012
20,249
57,280
66
Sarasota Florida
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.

 

captainbob

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 5, 2010
765
2
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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rigmedic1

Lifer
May 29, 2011
3,896
75
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.

 

daytonsean

Lifer
Aug 28, 2012
1,018
3,201
Dayton
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.

 

lovethebriar

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 12, 2013
237
0
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.

 

jah76

Lifer
Jun 27, 2012
1,611
35
I clicked on this thread in the hopes if some BBQ talk.
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.

 

tamer291

Can't Leave
Jun 26, 2013
446
1
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.

 

captainbob

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 5, 2010
765
2
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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pchitti

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 26, 2013
193
1
Central Texas
As for that -- I say no dry rub. Vinegar and pork only for me, but I'll bet a lot of Memphis-, South Carolina-, and Texas barbecue fans would differ!
No rub is just fancy grillin.

Great info other than that though. lol

 
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