Wet Smoke Question

[rockymtnsmoker]

Rank beginner here. Last night tried some Virginia Flake in my estate Peterson Donegal Rocky. Second smoke in this pipe, first with a flake. The second half of the bowl was a bit rank, and very wet (pipe was bubbling like a hookah). Suspect it's a rookie combo of bad pipe packing, moist tobacco and over puffing. Thoughts and guidance from more experienced smokers appreciated.

 

[rockymtnsmoker]

Thanks rothnh for pointing me to that thread. Loving this site. This whole pipe smoking thing is a bit more complicated than it appears in books and film : )

 

[ciderguy]

How long did you let the pipe rest between the first and second smoke?
You may need to build up some cake in the pipe to help absorb the moisture. Next time it starts bubbling, run a pipe cleaner through the stem to absorb the moisture. Also, I recommend lighting with matches. I tend to have a dryer smoke with matches instead of a lighter.

 

[rockymtnsmoker]

Thanks ciderguy. Pipe had rested for four or five days. Only just learned about resting pipes to let them dry out between smokes. Good point on the matches.

 

[bigvan]

I think you were dead on; perfect the pack and slow down.

 

[numbersix]

Welcome to the forums.
I didn't read the entire thread that is linked so maybe this has been covered, but FWIW some pipes will gurgle more than others, especially if the draft hole is drilled a bit higher than the very bottom of the bowl. The theory with this is that the condensation that naturally builds up is allowed to pool up at the bottom, and then gets drawn into the shank causing gurgle. Overly wet tobacco may exacerbate the problem too.

 

[cigrmaster]

If you dry your tobacco sufficiently and slow down your smoking and the pipe still gurgles, it might just be poor construction on the pipe. Some pipes are just mis drilled to the point that no matter what you do it will gurgle. If that is the case it can be sent out to be fixed.

 

[salewis]

All of us probably have had the same experience with a pipe that smokes where moisture accumulates at the bottom. As already mentioned you need to consider the draw of your pipe. Is this pipe draft restricted and is the hole at the bottom of the bowl centered. Finally, smoking a flake tobacco is difficult. Try rubbing the flakes out by rubbing between the palms of your hands. Often hand rubbed smaller pieces almost like cake tobacco is easier to keep lighted and your draw may be slower and less moist. Finally, ensure that you have ample tobacco at the bottom and the tobacco should be loaded with a "springy" feel and fully loaded. Good smoking.

 

[thesmokindragon]

+1 on Tobacco moisture, packing, speed of smoking or bad

pipe drill'in...you could pass a pipe-cleaner during the smoke

to help cut the condensation...also has the pipe been broken

in correctly