Woohoo. I Think I've Figured It Out

[Starsman]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

I was missing a key bit of information that helped me so I'm posting it. Bowl was getting hot and I had a lot of dottle. Changed how I packed, how fast I smoked (a few bowls took 4 hours) but nothing seemed to help with the hot bowl plus I had a lot of tongue bite. I even posted about dumping ash. So here is my eureka moment and it seems so simple. I was tamping after lighting but not after. I started just tamping down the ash. Not compressing the tobacco but just pushing the ash down. At least for me this made a huge difference. Less relights and I've smoked my first bowl with almost no dottle and no hot smoke. Half a dozen bowls this way and I am a believer. Anyway that's my experience. Rock on.

 

[mikethompson]

When the stars align it is a beautiful thing.

 

[gamzultovah]

Welcome to the pleasure of this hobby. Enjoy the journey.

 

[Pipelady20]

I was missing a key bit of information that helped me so I'm posting it. Bowl was getting hot and I had a lot of dottle. Changed how I packed, how fast I smoked (a few bowls took 4 hours) but nothing seemed to help with the hot bowl plus I had a lot of tongue bite. I even posted about dumping ash. So here is my eureka moment and it seems so simple. I was tamping after lighting but not after. I started just tamping down the ash. Not compressing the tobacco but just pushing the ash down. At least for me this made a huge difference. Less relights and I've smoked my first bowl with almost no dottle and no hot smoke. Half a dozen bowls this way and I am a believer. Anyway that's my experience. Rock on.

Thats great! Which tobacco did you smoke?

 

[Chasing Embers]

I always only use the weight of the tamper and never more force on the ash. Keeps everything nice an lightly packed and only gives enough pressure to bring the ember back in contact with the tobacco.

 

[mso489]

Sometimes I pack the pipe with my thumb so I can feel exactly how tightly packed it is, not too tight, so there is space for air and fire for the ember. Only if the pieces are a little big or in different sizes do I press a little with the tamper to even up the leaf. Then, yes, keep the burning ember lightly tamped, or tamp before relight, not too hard.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Well done! Glad it's coming to you.

 

[jdb67]

As another newbie, I agree completely and this echoes my aha moment as well. Becoming one with the tamper has made a huge difference (I am not "one" yet, but at least I am not clueless about it anymore). I personally think too much attention is put on packing methods and not enough on tamping. If you pack a bit loose (as long as the pack is reasonably uniform), you can tamp your way into the zone. Obviously, if you pack too tight you are doomed from the git-go to have a bad smoke.

 

[saltedplug]

My finger was so much more convenient than a tamper. Although the tamper added a touch of accomplishment, as if I had all the right tools, I had to bring it to where I was smoking and reach for it, and put it back, after every use.

Fingers, on the other hand, were always on hand.

 

[Starsman]

Thats great! Which tobacco did you smoke?

I am getting virginia gold bulk from a local shop. The other ones from there have been called Irish Puff, Aristocrat, and vanilla.

 

[italiansallion]

Sometimes I pack the pipe with my thumb so I can feel exactly how tightly packed it is, not too tight, so there is space for air and fire for the ember. Only if the pieces are a little big or in different sizes do I press a little with the tamper to even up the leaf. Then, yes, keep the burning ember lightly tamped, or tamp before relight, not too hard.

yup, I use my index finger for it. I always know when it’s just right that way.

 

[Old School 3319]

As another newbie, I agree completely and this echoes my aha moment as well. Becoming one with the tamper has made a huge difference (I am not "one" yet, but at least I am not clueless about it anymore). I personally think too much attention is put on packing methods and not enough on tamping. If you pack a bit loose (as long as the pack is reasonably uniform), you can tamp your way into the zone. Obviously, if you pack too tight you are doomed from the git-go to have a bad smoke.

Packing was a thing that took me a little time to learn. I was greedy and wanted as much in there as i could. I finally figured out its better to pack loose and tamp and smoke another bowl than to fit with a bowl packed to tight

 

[cigrmaster]

Congratulations, it is a big deal when we find something that really works well for you. Keep enjoying your tobacco.

AN ah ha moment came to me when I switched tampers. I had been using a standard metal one and then changed to one of my dried Placenta tampers. I fought tooth and nail with the doctor but was able to sneak some when he wasn't looking. Am I a genius or what?

 

[marlinspike]

Congratulations, it is a big deal when we find something that really works well for you. Keep enjoying your tobacco.

AN ah ha moment came to me when I switched tampers. I had been using a standard metal one and then changed to one of my dried Placenta tampers. I fought tooth and nail with the doctor but was able to sneak some when he wasn't looking. Am I a genius or what?

Just wait until you get your sweaty paws on a tamper crafted from rare fossilized Siberian walrus phallus. It'll put the punch in yer pouch, let me tell you.

 

[mortonbriar]

Sounds like tampering with things has worked!