Whats the Ultimate Pack, Does Tighter = Better Flavour and Burn?

[stuart]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Hello all,

Hope you are all well, I have been smoking on and off for around 15 years and continue to experiment with different packing methods. I have seen people load their pipe up quite tight especially thinking about smoking competitions fitting three grams into a pipe bowl. Also, having tried a puff or two on said pipes they tend to have alot of flavour. I find it easier to smoke bowls that are on the looser side, but am wondering whether there is anything which can be done in terms of smoking technique to pack tighter and ensure it smokes better to produce more flavour and burn better? So wondering if tighter is better, but requires more skill to smoke? Interested to hear any thoughts or ideas on this please.

Thanks

 

[sablebrush52]

Hello all,

Hope you are all well, I have been smoking on and off for around 15 years and continue to experiment with different packing methods. I have seen people load their pipe up quite tight especially thinking about smoking competitions fitting three grams into a pipe bowl. Also, having tried a puff or two on said pipes they tend to have alot of flavour. I find it easier to smoke bowls that are on the looser side, but am wondering whether there is anything which can be done in terms of smoking technique to pack tighter and ensure it smokes better to produce more flavour and burn better? So wondering if tighter is better, but requires more skill to smoke? Interested to hear any thoughts or ideas on this please.

Thanks

My experience is that tighter doesn't equal more flavor, nor a better burn. I've found that moisture content is the main factor for flavor intensity, with packing following closely behind. Since I mostly smoke Virginias, Va/Pers, and Va/Bur/Per blends the moisture level is a little bit shy of bone dry. I'll pack "medium to loose" depending on the cut. I want the draw to be open and effortless. Once i get the tobacco lit I just let it simmer as I take slow sips. I also snork to pick up the flavor nuances since there are more flavor receptors in your schnoz than in your mouth.

 

[python]

My experience is that tighter doesn't equal more flavor, nor a better burn. I've found that moisture content is the main factor for flavor intensity, with packing following closely behind. Since I mostly smoke Virginias, Va/Pers, and Va/Bur/Per blends the moisture level is a little bit shy of bone dry. I'll pack "medium to loose" depending on the cut. I want the draw to be open and effortless. Once i get the tobacco lit I just let it simmer as I take slow sips. I also snork to pick up the flavor nuances since there are more flavor receptors in your schnoz than in your mouth.

This ^^^^^^^

 

[Chasing Embers]

What's The Ultimate Pack?

The one that works for you.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

In my experience, packing tighter does deliver more flavor. That is, if you like nasty, bitter and ashy flavor.

 

[Mark 0092]

The one that works for you.

this....but also depends a lot on the cut of the mixture and the pipe ....

 

[Ahi Ka]

I couldn’t imagine cramming 3g of tobacco into a pipe, heck that’s almost 3smokes, 5 if I’m using a clay....

que @chasingembers photo of pipe that fits 12oz

 

[Chasing Embers]

I couldn’t imagine cramming 3g of tobacco into a pipe, heck that’s almost 3smokes, 5 if I’m using a clay....

que @chasingembers photo of pipe that fits 12oz

this....but also depends a lot on the cut of the mixture and the pipe ....

Again it depends on the technique of the individual smoking. The pipe has nothing to do with it.

 

[bullet08]

Given same blend with same moisture level, tight packing has more flavor. But when I say tight packing, I mean having air pocket at the heel of the chamber so the draw will be still open and free.

But, I do prefer light packing and flavor that's easy. Intense flavor for an hour tires me out.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Those magnums could fit most of my cellar in!

 

[Chasing Embers]

I couldn’t imagine cramming 3g of tobacco into a pipe, heck that’s almost 3smokes, 5 if I’m using a clay....

que @chasingembers photo of pipe that fits 12oz

This one will hold 1.4 ounces.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Those magnums could fit most of my cellar in!

I'm really wanting one. Love big pipes.?

 

[Mark 0092]

View attachment 59397

Again it depends on the technique of the individual smoking. The pipe has nothing to do with it.

 

[Mark 0092]

well, in my experience, pipe changes a lot. a Chimney is different from an Apple even to smoked loading and management!!! a bulldog is less easy than an Author...

 

[biz]

You will figure the pack out yourself. Tight packing has never fixed anything for me, almost always a lighter pack is needed.

 

[Chasing Embers]

You will figure the pack out yourself. Tight packing has never fixed anything for me, almost always a lighter pack is needed.

Bingo.?

 

[Chasing Embers]

well, in my experience, pipe changes a lot. a Chimney is different from an Apple even to smoked loading and management!!! a bulldog is less easy than an Author...

And that falls back to technique. A pipe is little more than a straw you are drawing air through. The only impact a pipe can have on the smoking is the diameter of the airway or in the case of a badly drilled pipe, obstructions.

 

[ashdigger]

In my experience, packing tighter does deliver more flavor. That is, if you like nasty, bitter and ashy flavor.

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

 

[Mark 0092]

And that falls back to technique. A pipe is little more than a straw you are drawing air through. The only impact a pipe can have on the smoking is the diameter of the airway or in the case of a badly drilled pipe, obstructions.

I must agree with you, I thought he was a new smoker while I reread the post and he has been smoking for a long time so let's talk about technique ... my advice is more for a new smoker ....

 

[Chasing Embers]

my advice is more for a new smoker ....

?