New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by BigFrank

What's the best way to break in a new pipe?

By not rushing it.

Personally, I go for a nice, cool-burning easy-to-smoke ribbon cut to break in briar. My latest all-around first choice - bless you Evan - is Carter Hall, direct from the drugstore. If I feel strongly the pipe is destined for latakia, there are many options but Dunhill 965 and Peter Stokkebyes Proper English both fill my bill.

Slowly smoke one-third to half-bowls, over and over and over, allowing dry-out time between smokes. It takes a while. Use a tamper with care to avoid scratching new cake from the insides; leave no unburned flecks of tobacco stuck to the pipe walls. As cake builds in the lower half, progressively fill the bowl (if it suits you) higher. Do it patiently and you'll build a conical cake, a little thicker in the lower part of the bowl than the upper.