Unburned Tobacco

[bnichols23]

Some people save the dottles & let them dry, then mix & smoke them again. I don't do it myself since I prefer not to mix except by choice. Write it off as an offering to the pipe gods & move on to another bowl. If you really want to use it all, dry the blend thoroughly before you smoke it.


Bill

 

[aquadoc]

This is most likely wrong but halfway through each bowl, I scoop out the top ash until I get to charred tobacco. I then mix it together and retamp, relight...only one relight. At this stage, I do not relight again. When it goes out, I am done. Always a small amount of unburned tobacco at the bottom. Works for me.

 

[GallicRooster86]

I also find tobacco not burned in the bottom but I apparently slobber like a mastiff down the stem and shank. I’m a clencher usually and find this had been a constant for me. I just empty any ash and dottle and relight the bowl later or just pack a new bowl

 

[Lawyer66]

Happens to me all the time. I will also say something that may bring about judgment. I stir it up with my pipe tool and light it over. I am still learning but 60% of the time, this works all the time for me.

 

[Recon Paul]

No need to finish. Sometimes ash builds up on top of the bowl and ash doesn't burn. Tamp it and relight. If that doesn't work, it's over.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I smoke most of mine to the bottom but I don't fret when that's not done easily. That's the key I think. Smoking every last shred isn't a requirement or even a standard. It's not even a sign of poor technique. The only thing to be concerned about is that your enjoying what you do smoke.

 

[danimalia]

Generally, at about halfway through the bowl, the normal tamp and delights become less effective. I figure the layer of ash is too thick and that's why it starts to take longer to get lit and doesn't stay lit as long as the beginning of the bowl. When I notice this, I use the little spade on my pipe tool to stir up the top level of tobacco and ash. Tamp, relight, and off to the races. I think it's the same principle as the guys who mention covering the bowl and shaking.

I am someone who tends to try to smoke every bit of a bowl, but I almost always end up with a little bit of dottle at the end anyway.

 

[anotherbob]

This is most likely wrong but halfway through each bowl, I scoop out the top ash until I get to charred tobacco. I then mix it together and retamp, relight...only one relight. At this stage, I do not relight again. When it goes out, I am done. Always a small amount of unburned tobacco at the bottom. Works for me.

I do that too and the great thing is I am still shocked by the tiny shred of leaf left over when I dump it.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Sometimes I have a few strands of unsmoked tobacco in the bottom of the chamber, sometimes not.
What I NEVER do is make a point of trying to burn every last strand. Superheating the bottom of the chamber is some misguided belief that every strand must be consumed is a great way to damage your pipes.

Also can make you look like a crack head desperate to get a fix if done in public.

 

[Scottishgaucho]

Rarely finish a bowl of tobacco. If I do it's more by accident than by design.

Not a problem even for a tight-fisted Scot.

 

[The Clay King]

I still get unburned tobacco in the bottom of the bowl.

 

[kcghost]

You need to tamp the tobacco down if that is happening to you.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

I still get unburned tobacco in the bottom of the bowl.

Forgive my ignorance, never smoked a clay. Does the draft hole come out at the bottom of the bowl?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Zombie thread, now locked. OP not seen for an age. Anyone feel free to start. new thread on this topic.