New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[Sancho Fuente]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

After filling the pipe (before lighting) is the draw resistance anything more than verrrrrrrrry slight? I mean, if you put a match to it and draw, does the flame go straight down or is it packed too tight for that to happen? Whattaya think?

The resistance is less than a cigerette I would say. The flame also goes down into the tobacco. That could also be from the cigerette smoking I guess, drawing too hard maybe?

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Sancho Fuente

The resistance is less than a cigerette I would say. The flame also goes down into the tobacco. That could also be from the cigerette smoking I guess, drawing too hard maybe?

No - that's good. Filling too tightly is a common culprit for pipes needing constant relights.

Tobacco squished between thumb and index crumbles, springs back a good bit or stays smooshed?

[Sancho Fuente]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

No - that's good. Filling too tightly is a common culprit for pipes needing constant relights.

Tobacco squished between thumb and index crumbles, springs back a good bit or stays smooshed?

It takes maybe 2-3 seconds to spring back with the Boswells Christmas Cookie I smoked the other day. Once its in the bowl it still springs back when I push down on it. My Boswells Berry Cobbler stays smooshed. None of the 7 kinds I have crumble.

And thanks for the suggestions on blends and the advice BigFrank. Once Mister Moo figures out what I'm doing wrong I might have a good smoke.

[BigFrank]

Originally Posted by Sancho Fuente

And thanks for the suggestions on blends and the advice BigFrank. Once Mister Moo figures out what I'm doing wrong I might have a good smoke.

Easiest method I know is the 3 stage load. Gravity fill the pipe. Then push it down 1/2 way. Refill to top. Push down to 3/4. Fill again. Char light then tamp. That is my fail proof method for loading. Might also be the tobacco you are smoking. Moisture level, heavy casing or toppings can affect how well a tobacco smokes. When loading up the pipe take a few test puffs on the pipe. If there isnt enough drag you will have trouble keeping the pipe going. Load light at first test, you can always add more tobacco, and work from there. All things considered I would believe it may be your tobacco more than anything else.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Sancho Fuente

It takes maybe 2-3 seconds to spring back with the Boswells Christmas Cookie I smoked the other day. Once its in the bowl it still springs back when I push down on it. My Boswells Berry Cobbler stays smooshed. None of the 7 kinds I have crumble.

And thanks for the suggestions on blends and the advice BigFrank. Once Mister Moo figures out what I'm doing wrong I might have a good smoke.

Pipe isn't soggy in the heel, is it? Sounds like your tobacco isn't too wet but maybe dry the tabak some more; change blends for a comparison, maybe. Things sound right to me.

[Slow Triathlete]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Pipe isn't soggy in the heel, is it? Sounds like your tobacco isn't too wet but maybe dry the tabak some more; change blends for a comparison, maybe. Things sound right to me.

I'll chime in with a question about your pipe here. I used to have the same problem with one of my first pipes. I later found out that the drillhole into the pipe was raised and off-center (no wonder it was so cheap). It altered the smoking capability of the pipe and actually caused the tobacco to get sopping wet during the smoke. I'm not sure about the science of why it did this I just know that it happened.

Take a look down into the bowl of the pipe and see where the hole is. It should be flush with the bottom of the bowl and as centered as possible.