Wind affecting pipe smoking question?

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Copperhead

Might Stick Around
Jun 4, 2024
71
444
I smoke outside twice a day walking the dog, and I always use a cap. Not only does it protect my beard from stray embers, I can walk in open areas with high wind and have no issues.

I tend to treat it like swimming underwater, except opposite....I keep a light draw going, keeping just enough intake pressure to mitigate the wind.

I actually look forward to those pipes, though I do tend to smoke with a faster cadence.
 
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Arkansas Paul

Starting to Get Obsessed
Sep 8, 2022
170
1,532
Central Arkanss
Pipes also last half as long.
This is why I don't do it much in strong winds.
I don't know how much truth there is to it, but I've always heard you could burn out a pipe in the wind.
On the occasions I do smoke in the wind, I don't take one of my better briars.

I smoke outside exclusively so when it's windy, I retire to the garage with the door about halfway up.
 

bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,409
42,108
RTP, NC. USA
Unless it's blowing down the power lines, don't really bother me. Just got used to smoking outside. If the wind is strong enough to interfere with the smoke, either I cover up the bowl with my hand or just pack it in.
 
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9mmpuffer

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 1, 2018
194
202
No wind smoking for me, I get no pleasure from smoking in the wind. Most of my smoking is in the garage. I prefer to be engulfed by the smoke😁
 
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Reactions: JOHN72
Apr 24, 2024
6
37
Western NY
Yes this is very common problem for us who smoke outdoors! I live in Buffalo New York and smoke outdoors everyday in the wind. Your ember burns too hot and ruins your toasting and tasting when this happens!

My answer is very simple.. saw a codger do this… I just turn the bowl upside down and draw the toasted flavor gently from the top of the ember… just about every snow storm or when lunting.

Just flip pipe bowl upside down assuming it a straight pipe of course! It worked very well last night during 35 mph gusts I chose to stay till bowl was to full ash. Your char light and true light should be well established upright first before, with a very uniform tamp before flipping bowl over and clenching. Enjoy

Hope this helps. Respectfully Richard
 
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Brad H

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 17, 2024
678
4,968
Not a fan of high wind.
Sometimes on a hot day, I sit in front of a swamp cooler while smoking. Not a good practice but I can tell a big difference.
When ya gotta smoke, ya gotta smoke.
 

Epip Oc'Cabot

Can't Leave
Oct 11, 2019
495
1,345
Cupping the bowl of the pipe with the palm of my hand in windier conditions is an automatic reflex for me. So, much so, that I have never considered it a challenge smoking outdoors on windy days. Lighting the pipe may be a little bit challenging, but simply turning away from the direction of the wind while lighting suffices for that action for me as well.
 

pinem

Might Stick Around
Aug 16, 2015
93
159
Nebraska
Meerschaum pipes are the way to go in windy situations. They can absorb the excess moisture from a fast burn better, and won't burn out. Key is to fold and stuff (not rub out), store pipe in pocket if not clenching, keep fingers/palm over bowl when out of pocket, and let the wind do all the work of getting smoke into your mouth. Also helps to point pipe downwind.

One of my most enjoyable smokes of 1792 flake was in a meer on a cold, windy beach. The smoking experience was effortless, although admittedly a bit quick.