New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[Subvet642]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

And if there is something that I have heard for years is that VAs like small narrow bowls.

Here's the rule of thumb, try your tobaccos in different size bowls and see which ones smoke best of you, for ultimately, you need to satisfy your palate. Personally, I have found that I like my VAs in many sizes of bowls, and more often than not, the choice is made by asking, "what pipe do I want to smoke today?"

Peace of the Lord be with you.

I must have had it backwards, thanks. I got thinking about this because I smoked some Barbary Coast in my new Viking pot and it was flat and boring.

[CoffeeWaterBeer]

Can't say I've seen a quick easy to remember method but if you check tobaccoreviews, you will see many post the effects of different pipes with your choice leaf. Seems to me, and I'm no expert, that there are too many variables and personal preferences to make a concrete rule of thumb.

[Subvet642]

Originally Posted by CoffeeWaterBeer

Can't say I've seen a quick easy to remember method but if you check tobaccoreviews, you will see many post the effects of different pipes with your choice leaf. Seems to me, and I'm no expert, that there are too many variables and personal preferences to make a concrete rule of thumb.

That's kinda where I got the notion, but that's pretty much what I figured. Thanks!

[WhiteMamba]

Today my pastor friend who started me down this slope as I have mentioned elsewhere has surprised me with a gift. A brand new Peterson System pipe. He noticed that I appreciated the Grabow and Cob he had given me to start off with and he said it was time for me to step my game up.


Any advice on breaking this in or maintaining it would be appreciated. My friend hasn't had time to smoke with me much and recommended that I just check on the internet for breaking in and what not. I know the recommendation is usually start with a half a bowl but I was curious if this one calls for anything different.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by WhiteMamba

Today my pastor friend who started me down this slope as I have mentioned elsewhere has surprised me with a gift. A brand new Peterson System pipe. He noticed that I appreciated the Grabow and Cob he had given me to start off with and he said it was time for me to step my game up.


Any advice on breaking this in or maintaining it would be appreciated. My friend hasn't had time to smoke with me much and recommended that I just check on the internet for breaking in and what not. I know the recommendation is usually start with a half a bowl but I was curious if this one calls for anything different.

The reason for starting with 1/2 a bowl is so that you smoke the bowl all the way to the bottom so that you get a good cake on the bottom half of the bowl. What a bunch of hoooey! Fill the bowl and smoke it - just make sure you smoke it to the bottom

How do you break in a pipe? Smoke it!

So, smoke it!

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[The.Sheepdog]

nice!

[WhiteMamba]

Thanks Rev that's what I was thinking. Any special maintenance for a system pipe as opposed to a regular pipe?

[gravel]

Originally Posted by WhiteMamba

Thanks Rev that's what I was thinking. Any special maintenance for a system pipe as opposed to a regular pipe?

The great thing about your pipe is you can clean it immediately after smoking. A military bit allows you to remove the stem while the pipe is still warm.

When I smoke my system pipe I take a paper towel, twist up one end, and clean out the sump. A pipe cleaner will help you clean the stem and the draft hole into the bowl.

A soft cloth to wipe the outside and you are good.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by gravel

The great thing about your pipe is you can clean it immediately after smoking. A military bit allows you to remove the stem while the pipe is still warm.

When I smoke my system pipe I take a paper towel, twist up one end, and clean out the sump. A pipe cleaner will help you clean the stem and the draft hole into the bowl.

A soft cloth to wipe the outside and you are good.

While a military bit "allows" you to remove the stem, it is still a good practice not to - just for the sake of repetition breeds practice that carries over sometimes to how you treat other pipes.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[WhiteMamba]

So typically I shouldn't remove the stem immediately after smoking?

[gravel]

Originally Posted by WhiteMamba

So typically I shouldn't remove the stem immediately after smoking?

No. Let your pipe cool first. That system pipe is designed to allow for removal while warm, but if you have no need to do so, it's best to let it cool.

[nutcracker]

I'm a lazy SOB and will usually wait until I have 3 or 4 to clean, then do a batch. Sort of an early morning ritual sitting in my office (where I am not allowed to smoke, but can still enjoy my pipes - cleaning and polishing away.)

[gravel]

Originally Posted by nutcracker

I'm a lazy SOB and will usually wait until I have 3 or 4 to clean, then do a batch. Sort of an early morning ritual sitting in my office (where I am not allowed to smoke, but can still enjoy my pipes - cleaning and polishing away.)

That's generally true for me. I often will run a cleaner and wipe the bowl and call it good. I've become less intensive in my cleaning.

[CoffeeWaterBeer]

I've got one for you guys. How thoroughly do you clean your cobs? Specifically the area at the bottom of the bowl between the wall of the bowl and the outer part of the stem. Most cons have 2 deep little pockets due to the stem coming into the chamber.

I'm not too particular usually but have been considering getting a poker and digging out some of that gooey funk.
How about you?

[timj219]

Originally Posted by CoffeeWaterBeer

I've got one for you guys. How thoroughly do you clean your cobs? Specifically the area at the bottom of the bowl between the wall of the bowl and the outer part of the stem. Most cons have 2 deep little pockets due to the stem coming into the chamber.

I'm not too particular usually but have been considering getting a poker and digging out some of that gooey funk.
How about you?

I leave it alone. I think it forms a new raised bottom for the pipe which will prevent the bottom from burning out. Cobs are all I smoke these days and it's never given me any problem. The low maintenance is one of the things I love about them.

[Slow Triathlete]

Yeah....just leave it alone. It adds to the seasoning.

[MarkinAZ]

...what Tim and Scott sayz

[JohnnyFlake]

As has been said, just leave it alone. In time, it will form a cake along the bottom and that will help to keep the bottom from burning out too quickly!

[CoffeeWaterBeer]

I'll leave it be, appreciate the feedback fellas.

I think I do want to grab a couple more cobs though so they get a little more dry time. I have a tendency to hand mine out to potential converts.

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by CoffeeWaterBeer

I'll leave it be, appreciate the feedback fellas.

I think I do want to grab a couple more cobs though so they get a little more dry time. I have a tendency to hand mine out to potential converts.

I do know that if your local B&M do not carry cobs Seth, that Walgreens does carry the MM Legend and Mark Twain. Some carry only the Legend and some carry both...