Worst Smoking Experience to Date

[hairvise]

So, I sat down in my backyard to have a smoke to relax before the election madness, and i thought that I'd try Byronic Slices again--hadn't smoked it in a while. It didn't seem too moist, so I let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then loaded it up by gravity filling my Peterson, which has been a reliable smoker for me.

Long story short--I could not for the life of me keep it lit. Relights, relights, relights. Haven't had this experience since I starred smoking. So, of course, next time, I'll dry it out more before loading it. But in the meantime, what tips do people have when they start on a bowl and realize that it's just too moist? Do you put it down and pick up it later, perhaps even the next day? Empty it out? Or just give up, chalk it up to learning, and toss the tobacco and load up a different pipe with a drier tobacco?

Edited by jvnshr: Title capitalization (please check Rule #9)

 

[pantsBoots]

I've had the same issues, even after drying for a couple days in an air-conditioned house. I stuck the rest of it at the bottom of a box and will eventually revisit someday. It has its fans, but I am not one of them - I've never had a tobacco with worse burn properties

 

[BROBS]

So, I sat down in my backyard to have a smoke to relax before the election madness, and i thought that I'd try Byronic Slices again--hadn't smoked it in a while. It didn't seem too moist, so I let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then loaded it up by gravity filling my Peterson, which has been a reliable smoker for me.

Long story short--I could not for the life of me keep it lit. Relights, relights, relights. Haven't had this experience since I starred smoking. So, of course, next time, I'll dry it out more before loading it. But in the meantime, what tips do people have when they start on a bowl and realize that it's just too moist? Do you put it down and pick up it later, perhaps even the next day? Empty it out? Or just give up, chalk it up to learning, and toss the tobacco and load up a different pipe with a drier tobacco?

If you get it to burn it tastes like shit. Don’t waste your time.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Chase the ember with a tamper.

 

[BROBS]

Also that stuff is insane wet so I’m not surprised. Rub it out and smoke it bone dry.

 

[hairvise]

Wi

Also that stuff is insane wet so I’m not surprised. Rub it out and smoke it bone dry.

Will try that again next time. I'm just curious what folks do for any tobacco that was loaded when a bit too moist.

 

[bullet08]

I don't load any tobacco unless it's dry enough for me to smoke and enjoy.

 

[hairvise]

I don't load any tobacco unless it's dry enough for me to smoke and enjoy.

Smoking some perfectly dried Elizabethan right now to recover. Smokes like a dream!

 

[hairvise]

Also that stuff is insane wet so I’m not surprised. Rub it out and smoke it bone dry.

Putting out some more of the Byronic Slices now to dry. Will smoke during 2024 presidential election.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Smoking some perfectly dried Elizabethan right now to recover. Smokes like a dream!

I always found that one to be the perfect moisture right out of the tin.?

 

[peregrinus]

Either dump it out and reload with something else or set the pipe aside for a few days until tobacco is suitably dry.

Life is too short...

 

[Mr.Pink]

I don't load any tobacco unless it's dry enough for me to smoke and enjoy.

Definitely. I hate hot, steamy, goopy Tabacco. A little patience is worthwhile. I use a little USB fan on my desk. Speeds up the process.

 

[eugenepark]

Gotta get it dry as a bone (but not disintegrating on its own) to be a good smoke!

Wow didn't mean to rhyme but managed to!

 

[FurCoat]

Set it aside and revisit after a day. I have blends that I load and put up for a day. Usually SG.

 

[B_Rock]

Set it aside and revisit after a day. I have blends that I load and put up for a day. Usually SG.

I agree with you - SG Navy Flake that I am struggling with now was not dry enough. Harsh, gurgling and sounding like a forest fire in the bowl - when it actually stays lit. Need to plan ahead for the next time I try it.

 

[solideogloria86]

Smoking some perfectly dried Elizabethan right now to recover. Smokes like a dream!

I use the "pinch test" to ensure proper dryness. I lay the tobacco out to spread as thinly as possible. I check on it every 10-15 Mins. Grab a pinch and squeeze for about 3 seconds. If it falls into nicely separated stands/ribbons but is still pliable and not Crunchy, it's perfect. If it sticks together in clumps or stays stuck to your fingers, too wet. This of course only works for ribbons or rubbed out flakes/coins etc. Whole flakes take instinct and experience. Outside dryness of the flake and pliability are good indicators for whole flakes.

 

[kola]

same issues I had..along with the newer Bengal Slices, Seattle's Plum Pudding and PP Reserve. I dislike fussy blends you have to dry out for hours.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Wi

Will try that again next time. I'm just curious what folks do for any tobacco that was loaded when a bit too moist.

Unload it and let it sit sit sit.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

It's reasonably easy to tell if it's too wet. If so, dry it before packing it. If you do load tobacco that is too wet, the most common issue is it expands and you end up plugged. If that happens, take the skinny pipe tool and run it down the inside of the bowl to the draft opening. Wiggle it around to open up the draw. It happens to the best of us.

If the problem is too bad, empty the bowl and either let it dry or throw it away. I'm inclined to discard it and start fresh versus screwing around trying to salvage a quarter's worth of tobacco.

 

[rajangan]

Put a bowls worth on a plate. Microwave for 9 seconds. Stir, repeat several times. With each successive microwave session it won't get as hot because of the lesser water content, so you may end up increasing your time a couple seconds.