Tongue Bite on First/Char Light

[Hillcrest]

Seems I’m having quite a few issues coming back from my hiatus! One thing I’ve noticed so far is that I am giving myself pretty bad tongue but on the char light and initial light of my pipe which sorta throws me off for the rest of the bowl. It seems like I can’t get my top layer of tobacco lit unless I go crazy on it. Any advice?

I tried to reproduce your experience this morning and couldn't. The only thing I can think of is this: don't fill the pipe all the way to the rim, don't tamp it flat before lighting, leave some loose strands or bits on top to light easier ... the rest will catch as you puff. Hope that helps.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Sounds like you're packing too tight and drawing too hard.

 

[LeafErikson]

I would try packing lighter, holding the lighter further above the bowl so it just kisses the top, and drawing a little slower. As Sable said, it also might be the tobacco you’re smoking. Is it a Virginia blend? Try a burley or an English blend if it’s a straight Virginia.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You could also dry the tobacco considerably more.
Some of us don't do a "charring light"- unless the first light "isn't"

 

[PipeIT]

Barely Light, and only Take A Few Sips, then Let It Go Out!

Now Repeat After Me! LOL




Don’t push yourself, especially with something like smoking, go easy.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Barely Light, and only Take A Few Sips, then Let It Go Out!

Now Repeat After Me!

Don’t push yourself, especially with something like smoking, go easy.

Some editing.

That's fine if you really need to do a char light, and then actually light the tobacco.

 

[krizzose]

I don't know if this helps but a char light doesn't have to be one go. Do a pass or two over the surface let it smolder till it goes out, tamp while trying to even out the top layer and repeat till the whole surface takes up evenly without the tobacco expanding. That's what's been working for me.

I do something similar, and it can take me 2 or 3 charring lights/tamp downs. The last light should be easy to do without excessive puffing that just heats up the whole bowl. It’s not a race

 

[pinem]

I find very light short pulls while a flame is over the bowl, to get things smoldering, and then remove the flame before taking long deep pulls. Using 2 to 3 short matches can help slow the charring light process down.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

Char - Tamp lightly - Light.

The tobacco will expand and prepare the surrounding tobacco on the char light. Tamp because the tobacco expanded. The relight will be easier. Don’t suck hard to get the tobacco flaming, you will be sucking the flame heat onto your tongue. Don’t be afraid to relight several times if necessary.

 

[anotherbob]

or skip the charring light if it doesn't end up working for you. I didn't use it for years. I think it's better but not using it didn't stop me from enjoying pipes.

 

[Kollman]

I have really enjoyed all the ideas here, as I am an aggressive smoker that is trying to consistently slow down and sip my smoke. The other issue I run into is that my tobacco is often too wet and needs to dry a bit. Nothing new here.

What I really liked was the thoughts on lighting and I go back to my cigar smoking with toasting the foot before actually lighting it. The toasting of my bowl without even drawing on the pipe has helped me dry the tobacco and cut back on my tongue bit, Then I do the light as others have mentioned does the trick. I also agree with keeping your lighter or match off the bowl a bit as it doesn't get as hot or suck the flame down your throat.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The other issue I run into is that my tobacco is often too wet and needs to dry a bit.

Just pack it lighter, no drying required.

 

[Pipke]

The whole "...you have to sip your smoke..." Is not always applicable. I do sip, but I also enjoy billowing blasts of smoke. It is fun.

 

[Kollman]

Just pack it lighter, no drying required.

I pulled out some of my wettest and stickiest tobacco and a lighter pack made a big difference. Thanks!

 

[Chasing Embers]

I pulled out some of my wettest and stickiest tobacco and a lighter pack made a big difference. Thanks!

Very welcome.