What Does "Smoking Cooler" Mean To You?

[bigvan]

Depending on who you listen to, the "coolest smoking" pipes are:

- cobs

- meers

- churchwardens

- nosewarmers

- artisan made

- calbashes
...and on and on. My question is, not which of the above claims you agree with, but rather HOW do you define "cool smoking"? From some of the posts, it seems like some mean the perceived temperature of the smoke on their palate, others mean the temperature of the bowl in their hand, others seem to think it's an aspect of the flavor of the tobacco (almost a menthol-like aspect).
So before we go any further, let's define our terms. What does "Cool Smoking" mean to YOU?

 

[kashmir]

Very simple. Has nothing to do with the pipe or blend. Has EVERYTHING to do with the smoker. A cool smoke means a slow smoke. Plus you look cool when you win the slow smoking competitions. The answer lies within, not on some tobacconist's shelves. LOL.

 

[nsfisher]

For me, cool means, I can't feel any heat in my mouth and the bowl gets just barely warm. Makes for a terrific smoke.

 

[bobpnm]

As a relatively inexperienced smoker, I tend to consider a smoke cool based solely on the temp of smoke in my mouth. Bowl temp in my hand is to me a useful observation regarding technique. I'm not saying they aren't connected. Just too many other variables to definitively make the direct correlation as regards my smoking. I can see Roth's point regarding more experienced smokers.

 

[zonomo]

:mrgreen:

 

[papipeguy]

+1 zonomo.

 

[pitchfork]

For me, "cool smoking" refers to the feel of the smoke in the mouth.
In my view, the cosmetics of the pipe don't matter at all. It all comes down to airflow and how the smoker uses proper airflow to keep a barely smoldering ember. (It's easier for me to do with a pipe that has a nice, easy draw.)
Finally, the feel of the smoke in the mouth also depends on the moisture content of the smoke stream. Steamy smokes feel hotter than dry smokes because wet smoke takes longer to cool down -- i.e., it transfers more heat into the tissues of the mouth.
So, summing up, "cool smoking" (to me) concerns mouth feel, which is largely determined (in my view) by:
1. how much or little the tobacco is smoldering (good engineering helps here)
2. how moist the smoke is (properly dried and packed tobacco is key here).

 

[captainbob]

For me, if I can't hold the pipe comfortably in my hand or against my cheek, I am smoking to hot!

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[eibhir]

I'm still very new at this but for me a cooler smoke is slower and doesn't leave my mouth sore afterward. It also means the bowl lasts more than 20 or so minutes.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

I think it varies from person to person. For me the smoke is not hot in the mouth, which includes no sensative mouth or tongue bite, and the bowl doesn't get hot in the hand.

 

[cigrmaster]

A cool smoke for me is the temperature of the smoke that is going into my mouth. If the smoke feels hot as I am smoking it I lose flavor. I recently was testing a new blend and it was a very hot smoking tobacco. It had nothing to do with the pipe or my technique it just tasted hot all the time and it was a flake.
In terms of a pipe getting hot, that is something where technique comes into play. If I am not paying attention my pipe can heat up, but it is not the tobacco's fault.

 

[judcole]

I'm with the "perceived temperature of the smoke on their palate" crowd.

 

[spartan]

Just slap a thermometer sticker on the side of yer bowl and then you'll know if you're "perceived" smoking temp is cool or hot yes?
It's got to be a combination of both for me. If the bowl isn't lava hot and the feel of the smoke doesn't have looking for ice cold water, then it's a relatively cool smoke.

 

[yadan]

For me, a cool smoke is substantially the temperature of the smoke that enters my mouth, but I would not like to hold onto a hot bowl.
"Very simple. Has nothing to do with the pipe or blend. Has EVERYTHING to do with the smoker. A cool smoke means a slow smoke."
Well, of course the way the pipe is smoked certainly affects the temperature, and so does the humidity of the tobacco - but I disagree that all pipes (everything else being equal) smoke at the same temperature. My experience is that meers, cobs and metals all smoke cooler than briars.

 

[bigvan]

"My experience is that meers, cobs and metals all smoke cooler than briars."
Now that's a bold statement, considering briar is the accepted standard of pipe materials.

 

[chubbster]

I think, IMO, t is simply the perceived temperature of said smoke. What smokes cool for me in my eyes, may be blistering hot to you. I have a Tubos by Eltang, a play on a calabash, but in a little briar pipe. It smokes extremely dry for me, wonderfully, but it is not necessarily the coolest pipe I have, that'd be the roush. I only smoke a few different blends, and they are my usuals and always smoke great to me, so I can not comment on various tobaccos.
It's all up to the individual smoker and what they think is a cool smoke, IMO.

 

[chubbster]

^ they are fantastic. The downside is, I only have those two pipes. I find that is all I really need, or can afford for that matter. Eltang for Va's and roush for English or oriental. I do have two cobs for some burley blends, but in total, that makes 4 pipes I own, meager to some members counts, but works great for me.

 

[chubbster]

I agree. When I first started smoking I bought everything under the sun, and honestly, I felt it difficult to choose what to smoke some days. In the end, I sold all of them, bought these two and have been happy ever since. I smoke about 5 different blends regularly. Of course, I try others, but very few actually make it to a regular. I smoke a lot f straight Va and some light English, mainly garfinkel ridgeway.
Regardless, I'm pleased everyday and enjoy the heck out of every smoke, every time.

 

[bigvan]

Chubbster, I admire your "quality over quantity" attitude.
When you get the time, please post pictures of the Eltang and the Roush. I'd love to see them!!

 

[chubbster]

Eltang and roush