Using a mini food chopper

[Pypkė]

I tried milling some Sansepolcro flake in a mini food chopper that came with a hand immersion blender as an accessory. Since we already have a food processor, this accessory was left in the box unused. I ground down the flake into smaller pieces and it has completely changed my enjoyment of a flake tobacco.

My usual experience when attempting to smoke some flake was to dry it out and merely break up the tobacco flakes by rubbing it between my fingers and in the palm of my hand. This process certainly broke up the flakes, but it was still fairly coarse. Attempting to light this in my pipe was like trying to get a bunch of sticks and logs alight with just my lighter. After many relights, I might get the tobacco lit. Other times not. The constant relights distracted from just enjoying the smoke. I have been tempted to video lighting a pipe full of rubbed flake using my ox-acetylene torch to get that damn thing to light.

Milling the flake (gently) in a food mill changed all that. What a difference!

 

[B.Lew]

I picked up an NIB coffee grinder from a garage sale this summer. I’d heard mention on here and the radio show regarding its use for breaking down flakes. I often use it on each blend to see the results. Interesting how much it seems to change the blend to my unsophisticated palate.

 

[BingBong]

Have you tried it folded and stuffed?

The thread title caught my eye with visions of a gruesome domestic mishap, for some reason.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I did a little chopper for a while, but now just process up a jar at a time with a cut, rub, and dry to preference method.
I rarely enjoy the process of working on prepping an individual smoke at a time, I smoke while doing stuff at work and around the property 90% of the time, so “grab and go” prep works best for me.

 

[Molvorin]

Would "herb" grinders like this one work, or are they too fine for pipe tobacco?

 

[DonutLuvr]

Would "herb" grinders like this one work, or are they too fine for pipe tobacco?


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I’ve used one for some of my flakes before I was able to master a stuff and fold.

I still use a grind on occasion - I found the key for me is to not keep grinding it just like a half twist to get it broken up.

 

[mortonbriar]

Glad you found something that works for you.

I find flake can be enjoyed in any form - fold and stuff, cube cut, rubbed out, chopped up...but it does have to be dryer than a ribbon might be. And kindling on top is very helpful.

 

[Sea Lord]

A lot more smokers than we think actually use grinders to rub out their tobacco. It`s one of the conveniences of our modern era.

 

[OzPiper]

Have you tried it folded and stuffed?

Many attempts - doesn’t work for me. Too many relights
I find that cube-cutting or rubbing it out fully works best

 

[Pypkė]

Have you tried it folded and stuffed?

Folded and clogged? Yes I tried that. Works with Cabbies and some thin flake like various Mac Barrens HH blends. Others not so much.

 

[BingBong]

Folded and clogged? Yes I tried that. Works with Cabbies and some thin flake like various Mac Barrens HH blends. Others not so much.

I do that for all flakes. Wet or dry FVF, St James Flake, Gawith Louisiana Chocolate, thick or thin STG.... got used to it, I suppose.

 

[Lumbridge]

Would "herb" grinders like this one work, or are they too fine for pipe tobacco?


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Despite the stigma associated with the grinder's original purpose, they're great for breaking up flakes into my preferred cross cut. I cut narrow slices of flakes across the grain and mulch them in the grinder. I process an ounce or two at a time and jar it up. The cut is then fine enough for sprinkle or scoop filling. Works for me.

 

[huntertrw]

Some years ago pipestud recommended in a thread here using a Black & Decker HC306 1.5-cup miniature food processor to tame chunky, or otherwise hard-to-smoke, pipe-tobaccos. I subsequently purchased one (less than $20.00 at the time) and have never regretted it. It works beautifully.

 

[Hillcrest]

Some years ago pipestud recommended in a thread here using a Black & Decker HC306 1.5-cup miniature food processor to tame chunky, or otherwise hard-to-smoke, pipe-tobaccos. I subsequently purchased one (less than $20.00 at the time) and have never regretted it. It works beautifully.

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I have a cheap imitation version of that one that I use for cooking certain dishes. If I used it for tobacco the reaction wouldn't be worth it. I just rub out the flakes in a coffee filter or paper towel and transfer them to a tin to keep peace.

 

[Pypkė]

Some years ago pipestud recommended in a thread here using a Black & Decker HC306 1.5-cup miniature food processor to tame chunky, or otherwise hard-to-smoke, pipe-tobaccos. I subsequently purchased one (less than $20.00 at the time) and have never regretted it. It works beautifully.

That's the idea, but mine is smaller. And I didn't commandeer something that is used in the kitchen, so there was no "peace" issues in the household.

I typically chop up enough for a few bowls and jar it. Not all flakes will get this treatment, but I think the thick C&D style flakes will benefit.

 

[Sig]

Whatever works for you.
I prefer flake in more of a condensed form. I either fold and stuff, or cube cut and gravity feed.
Its amazing how many flakes change in flavor when prepared differently.
Maybe the most noticeable is PS LNF.
Fully rubbed, or chopped, it is light and Nutty. Folded or cubed its more rich, less sweet, and "stronger".

 

[Mrs. Pickles]

Blitzing FVF in a food processor was a revelation. This really is the magic bullet for some tobaccos.

 

[Terry Lennox]

Some years ago pipestud recommended in a thread here using a Black & Decker HC306 1.5-cup miniature food processor to tame chunky, or otherwise hard-to-smoke, pipe-tobaccos. I subsequently purchased one (less than $20.00 at the time) and have never regretted it. It works beautifully.

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I've heard that these are good for chopping up plugs like Peterson 3Ps. I might order one.

 

[drrock]

I use a rechargeable coffee grinder instead of a food processor. Break up the flakes into smaller pieces, then just 2 seconds in this chops tobaccos into smaller pieces that are perfect for a gravity load. Also really improves how the tobaccos burn in the pipe.

 

[blueeyedogre]

For me it depends on the flake..... GH Ennerdale is great after a few hits in a coffee grinder. Capstan I like to rub it out, imagining JRRToken doing the same thing. Luxury bullseye or Navy flakes I'll fold and stuff.