Total noob question?

[x6ftundx]

[SIZE=3]Didn't see a FAQ so I thought I would post away...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I have some basic questions about the tobacco and pipes. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]So after watching the Youtube I went out and got a corncob pipe and some macbaren mixture (the only pipe tobacco they had at the tobacco store).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]So simple questions:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]1.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]The filter inside the pipe. How long does it last? Do I even need it? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]2.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]The tin of macbarren… I just opened it up and mixed up the tobacco inside. Am I supposed to open it up and let it dry or some magical thing that I don’t know about yet?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Again bear with me, still learning…[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]-Danny[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]PS I really have to give it to the guys on Youtube (dublinthedam, pipefirendchs and thesmokeshop) they really do a great job and I have learned a lot...[/SIZE]

[Rolando]

I think you will find that most of your questions have actually been asked and answered in the last week or so. Go ahead and read many of the recent threads. You will find out how to test your tobacco for moisture and how to break in your new pipe as well as general opinions about filters. There are also some sticky threads up there but I confess I have never read them.

I am not saying this to be rude but some great advice has been given recently (as always I am sure) that will benefit you greatly.

[Mad Hatter]

Most guys throw the filter away but seeing as you have a tin of a hot burning MacBaren you might not want to. A filter is good for one or two smokes. You can even use a piece of a cottonball if you want. Mixture is a tongue scorcher and cobs burn hot too IMO. You'll definitely want to dry that tobacco before you smoke it, maybe air dry a half hour or so, or put it on a paper towel in the microwave for 20 seconds.

[Blaylock]

Answer to question #1: Most including myself, take out the filters in the cob pipes. You'll get a much easier draw.

Question #2: Many use the term "MacBitten" for MacBaren blends because of their tendancy to produce tongue bite, especially when your tobacco is too wet. Tobacco will also smoke better... meaning it will light and stay lit longer, when it is dry. How long you leave the tobacco dry out depends on the blend. I have had to leave some tobaccos out overnight before they were dry enough to smoke.

[BlackDog]

In the USA, few smokers use filters. Most toss them. But as a newbie you may want to try both ways for yourself. Don't let other people's opinions determine your preference. In northern Europe almost all pipes have filters. MacBaren is a Danish tobacco company, and as has been said, most people find they burn hot. The filter probably helps in this case.

[uncballzer]

Welcome! Like others have said, you can take out the filter or leave it in. It's your preference. Definitely dry the tobacco out some before you try smoking it. In addition to the other methods, some will lay it out thinly under a lamp for a little while. I tend to dry a lot at a time to save time for later, but you probably don't need to worry about that now.

Read the pipe 101 sticky. It's loaded with all this information. You can skip over the cleaning parts for now, but it'll help you with a lot of this stuff. Below is the link, plus some others that will help you get started.

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13541
http://agingfaq.nocturne.org/touchstones.php (lot of good info on this site)

And for when you get your post count up, check out this thread: http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=78493