I've joined the pipe club

Originally Posted by ApexAZ

I have this problem all the time. I have a lot of difficulty getting to the bottom, actually.

Recently I've begun scraping the top layer of ash and dumping it out when I get about halfway down the bowl. This is followed by a tamp and a re-light.

I have no idea if this is what you should do though. It seems that I have better luck getting the second half going when I remove the ash though. It's as if it's so thick I can't reach the tobacco below it with a flame unless I remove it.

I do the same thing. not saying its right, not saying its wrong, just saying it works for me so its what I do. :-)