Is there a resource somewhere that can show me how to prepare tobacco that comes other than ready to pack in my bowl?
Tobacco Prep
- Thread starter Bob Kuehner
- Start date
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Some cakes can be broken apart by hand and are usually called crumble cakes.
I like to slice regular cakes and plugs to about the same as most flakes which is about 1/8" or less thing. Ropes as thin as possible.
From here there are various techniques. I started out by drying and then rubbing out the slice/flake as much as possible by hand and then packing like any other ready rub or loose ribbon blend.
More recently I've gotten better with the "fold & stuff" method which is literally folding the flake in half (sometimes twice) and stuffing it into the pipe. I like to gently twist it after folding to help break it up a bit.
The fold and stuff method seems to require a bit of experience regarding initial flake size/dimensions vs pipe chamber depth/diameter.
I like to slice regular cakes and plugs to about the same as most flakes which is about 1/8" or less thing. Ropes as thin as possible.
From here there are various techniques. I started out by drying and then rubbing out the slice/flake as much as possible by hand and then packing like any other ready rub or loose ribbon blend.
More recently I've gotten better with the "fold & stuff" method which is literally folding the flake in half (sometimes twice) and stuffing it into the pipe. I like to gently twist it after folding to help break it up a bit.
The fold and stuff method seems to require a bit of experience regarding initial flake size/dimensions vs pipe chamber depth/diameter.
I tend to be a visual learner. Here are a couple of videos that may help.
Beside the "V" method for fold and stuff, a lot of pipe smokers fold the flake into 3 sections, forming a "z" with it and then lower the "z" into the bowl, covering it with some fine bits to act as kindling.
Another popular method is cube cutting the flake, cutting it into 1/8" cubes, then gravity feeding them into your bowl, topping them with some finely rubbed out tobacco for kindling.
What neither of these videos address is moisture levels, since that can really affect the depth of flavor that a blend gives you. On those occasions that I decide to fold and stuff, I usually do so the day before I'm going to smoke that bowl, in order to give time for the tobacco dry down to a good smoking moisture level.
Mostly I crumble up a flake, let it dry down to what I know to be a good moisture level for optimal flavor, and then load up the pipe.
Another popular method is cube cutting the flake, cutting it into 1/8" cubes, then gravity feeding them into your bowl, topping them with some finely rubbed out tobacco for kindling.
What neither of these videos address is moisture levels, since that can really affect the depth of flavor that a blend gives you. On those occasions that I decide to fold and stuff, I usually do so the day before I'm going to smoke that bowl, in order to give time for the tobacco dry down to a good smoking moisture level.
Mostly I crumble up a flake, let it dry down to what I know to be a good moisture level for optimal flavor, and then load up the pipe.
Flakes are fun. Takes some time to figure out what works for you. I like to fold then roll it into a cylinder shape. Take some tobacco off the top with a knife to use as kindling. Then rub the top of the rolled tobacco against my palm to fray it a bit. Stuff in a pipe that will fit the rolled tobacco loosely. Top it with the bits I cut off earlier and tamp very gently to get even surface and light up. Oh, before all this, make sure to dry up the flake. It takes longer for flake to dry. I typically dry it till it's dry to the touch when I give it a pinch.
Flakes - fold in half across the width. Fold that in half across the width. Grab both ends between thumb and forefingers of each hand, twist about 90 degrees. Place folded bottom centered in rim, lightly twist into bowl. Do not tamp down too tightly, ideally leaving a small gap between bottom of bowl and bottom of tobacco. If space is available, take some smaller pieces of "kindling" and fill into just below the rim. Light and enjoy.
Of course, this can vary a bit depending on the size of the flake and the ID of the bowl. My flake pipes tend to be smaller ID (around .75) so this works rather consistently.
Of course, this can vary a bit depending on the size of the flake and the ID of the bowl. My flake pipes tend to be smaller ID (around .75) so this works rather consistently.
+1 for the Z method. I fold it into thirds and then roll it into a little cylinder, so the burn goes along with the grain.
With plugs and ropes, I cut off thin slices and toss them in the coffee grinder, a bit at a time. Don't grind too much or it turns too dust.