Packing your pipe

[Arizona]

Dillon,

I'm tickled to hear you're getting the hang of it. Long sips... slowly/gently and and you'll not have a blazing-hot pipe. You'll also not suffer tongue bite. And dont forget every so often to blow very softly OUT thru the pipe to improve the burn.

[dillonmcmurphy]

Originally Posted by Arizona

Dillon,

I'm tickled to hear you're getting the hang of it. Long sips... slowly/gently and and you'll not have a blazing-hot pipe. You'll also not suffer tongue bite. And dont forget every so often to blow very softly OUT thru the pipe to improve the burn.

Thanks Arizona,
I have noticed that gently blowing out through the pipe does kind of spread the cherry out so it burns more evenly. Like purging a cigar.

[Mister Moo]

wow i did this today. great tips. ive been packing not filling my pipes. what a wonderful smoke. i stoped to fill up at lunch took about 5 minutes sat back down and it was still lit. thanks guys. im a new man

Thank you for this thread. I am a newbie to pipe smoking, and after reading this thread, found that I was packing my bowl too tight. I agree that the word "packing" should be dropped from the pipe smokers vocabulary.

Thanks Mister Moo and Arizona. Your advise led to the most pleasurable smoke I have ever had from a pipe

A proper fill is its' own reward.

While time usually lets people work out the bugs, I find a little thought to why the tried-and-true methods (and there are many) work will prevent much of plugged up, mangled bowls and 2nd degree tongue-fry. While anyone can stuff a pipe with tobacco and set it afire, there is something else... The art of the craft.

An even burn from start to finish, one or two light tamps and a pipe bottom with nothing but ash to pour out is more than some OCD thing. It carries with it easier puffing and cooler burning tobacco. I think overheating tobacco from bad fills and too-hard puffing devours the real nuances - the reason for the pipe - finding the often spectacular flavors hidden in the blend. It's like the old joke about the two bulls looking down at the herd of cows. If you take your time, you can have it all.