What is rubbing out and how does it affect flavor?

[cortezattic]

At about the 6:00 time mark in this video, Mac Baren product specialist Per George Jensen advocates folding your coin tobacco.
In this article, P&C.com's blender Russ Ouellette, says

If the flakes, slices or coins are stuffed more or less intact into the pipe, the tobacco will burn more slowly and cooler, but won’t deliver quite as much flavor. Rubbing the pressed tobaccos out will increase the flavor, but it will tend to burn a bit hotter.

You'll just have to try it yourself and see what pleases you most.

 

[curl]

I just bought a pot grinder last weekend from a head shop in Galveston. It's larger than most and the lady said it will stay sharp for a long time.
I used it on some Wessex Burley Slice and I like the results: no ribbons, just chopped to a nice size that I can trickle into my bowl.
Then I rubbed a chunk of Black Frigate against half the grinder, closed the grinder and gave a couple turns. I got same result, tobacco chopped to nice size and smokes like a champ.
I look forward to when my rotation makes room for some of my other flakes and coins.

 

[deathmetal]

@Cortez
Very interesting. I wonder if for sweet blends like Escudo fold-n-stuff is preferable because it reduces that sugary breakfast cereal effect?

 

[toobfreak]

n this video, Mac Baren product specialist Per George Jensen advocates folding your coin tobacco

Well, there you have it, the answer to many age old questions.
Why bother making it into a coin if someone is going to rub it out? By folding the coins, you preserve the compressed nature of the tobacco which allows it to burn at a lower temperature, minimizing the bite from the high sugars and in my experience, the slower, cooler smoking yields a better developed flavor as the gentler heat from the nearby burning releases a heated outgassing of essential oils and other flavor agents into the smoke that a hotter flame combusts all up right there in the bowl or at least chemically alters in a more harmful way before it can be enjoyed.

 

[condorlover1]

Well assuming you don't do it in public and avoid getting arrested I am told it is (a) cheaper then getting a wife (b) saves a lot on nasty and expensive divorce actions (c) never has a headache. With regard to the flavor status I could comment although those of you who are gymnastically inclined might want to chime in at this point. If you are referring to tobacco I always shave my plugs and then break up the slivers in my fingers before loading my pipe and the same applies to ropes. It makes for even burning and less multiple relights.

 

[archangel]

I'm new here & rubbing out is something I want to try. Great info in this forum. I am learning a lot here.

 

[cortezattic]

Welcome to the forums, Archangel. :clap:
Try rubbing, cross-cutting (cube cutting), folding and any other thing that comes to mind. I'm sure you'll hit on something special. ::

 

[archangel]

Thanks for the welcome, I see there is more to pipe smoking than just loading the bowl and smoking. I am eager to learn all about it. Thanks guys

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Thanks for the welcome, I see there is more to pipe smoking than just loading the bowl and smoking. I am eager to learn all about it.

It's crazy how much there is to learn about what seems like such a simple act. And it can very well be a simple act... or it can be a bit more complex. I think it depends on what you want from it. Regardless, it's a great past time and, and no matter how you like to smoke your pipe, we all have something in common here.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Pipe smoking doesn't get too physics heavy until you actually touch the pipe, as long as you're only "looking" at them the hobby is fairly straightforward.

 

[jpmcwjr]

By folding the coins, you preserve the compressed nature of the tobacco which allows it to burn at a lower temperature, minimizing the bite from the high sugars and in my experience, the slower, cooler smoking yields a better developed flavor as the gentler heat from the nearby burning releases a heated outgassing of essential oils and other flavor agents into the smoke that a hotter flame combusts all up right there in the bowl or at least chemically alters in a more harmful way before it can be enjoyed.

The above is true only if the coin or flake is sufficiently dried down before loading. Rubbing out and letting dry is faster than the other way around.