Topping off or not?

[Old_Newby]

Today I decided I wanted another bowl. So I cleaned and filter my pipe and packed again.

I was wondering is this best, or can I simply add more tobacco to top side after my burn gets below halfway?
I know I can try whatever I want but from those more experienced is there anything bad about toping off that effects flavor?

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Today I decided I wanted another bowl. So I cleaned and filter my pipe and packed again.

I was wondering is this best, or can I simply add more tobacco to top side after my burn gets below halfway?
I know I can try whatever I want but from those more experienced is there anything bad about toping off that effects flavor?

"Reloading" probably the way to go, otherwise it could get 'sour' or just gunky tasting because of the dottle at the bottom.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I do that very occasionally. But I scrape out all ash before going further, and check that the tobacco in the heel isn't soggy.

Reloading is the way to go. Or smoke the remainder after dumping ash.

 

[monty55]

I would not recommend topping off. First off when you smoke a bowl you should smoke ALL of the bowl. Some of the bests smoke comes from the bottom half. Secondly you should run a pipe cleaner through it immediately after you finish the bowl, while it's still warm and moist... this will allow you to swab out the unwanted tastes that accumulate in the stem and bowl. And lastly when a bowl of half burnt tobacco sit's for more than a little while it changes the taste. IMO pipe tobacco burns and tastes best while is warm. And a clean pipe is just elementary for a good quality smoke.

 

[Old_Newby]

That’s exactly what I needed. Appreciate the info.

 

[mso489]

The unburnt tobacco at the bottom of the bowl, the dottle, acts as a sort of filter and accumulates the residual tar and such, so I think it is better to empty the bowl and repack it. No harm in doing it the other way, but probably won't give the best flavor, as someone said in an earlier post.

 

[bullet08]

I only top off when I'm too lazy to return remaining tobacco to the jar.

 

[FurCoat]

Reload. I tried topping off once....once.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Nope. ️

 

[leonardbill1]

I think that a bowl develops as it burns down so have never tried this. I would think that what's been mentioned above about what's left in the bowl adversely affecting the taste of the newly added tobacco is true.