What's the secret to smoking to the bottom?

[seedubs1]

Supposedly the Frank method just gives you a more even pack throughout the bowl. I couldn't ever figure out how to do it.

As for the torch or soft flame lighter, either should work. It's just a different method of packing the pipe.

I'd try it again with the soft flame lighter. Although, I'm not sure why you would be burning the pipe with a torch lighter. Just make sure to keep the torch not pointed at the rim.

[Vrbas]

Originally Posted by Piper

What's the secret to smoking to the bottom

Puff really, really hard
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[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Piper

Trying to do further research on techniques for smoking to the bottom of the bowl I read that the Frank Method for filling a pipe makes it easy and enjoyable to do. I tried the Frank Method a few times but abandoned it after scorching a couple of pipes with the torch lighter he recommends. "Frankly," I can't see why a soft-flame lighter or wooden match wouldn't work almost as well as a torch without the danger of damaging your pipe.

Do others find the Frank Method works using a soft flame and does it allow you to smoke to the bottom of the bowl?

There is some science behind the "Frank Fill" - it creates a compact plug with aeration around the walls (which a good cake also provides, BTW). This causes the burn to evenly spread across the whole surface on each draw/sip. The resultant inter-woven baccy results in a firm ash that doesn't suffocate the burn as it progresses lower - requiring less (or no) tamping. It also creates an evenly packed filled plug all the way to the bottom of the bowl, with a wee bit of looseness down thar which helps the draw and keeping it cool.

Its messy - I use it for some baccy/pipe combinations, and when a suitable desktop is available to make a mess upon. You don't have to use a torch - I use a butane lighter or wooden matches. Used to light with a zippo too, but the new one I got is not as good as the 20 year old one (that I killed).

The trick is to get ENOUGH baccy in on the "pinch". If you don't start with enough, it will be too loose and burn hot. Too much will not fit - you can always pick some off toward the end of the pressy-pressy-pressy spin-spin-spin. After filling, test the draw. It should be just resisting a little. If too loose/tight - dump it start over.

[Piper]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

The trick is to get ENOUGH baccy in on the "pinch". If you don't start with enough, it will be too loose and burn hot. Too much will not fit - you can always pick some off toward the end of the pressy-pressy-pressy spin-spin-spin. After filling, test the draw. It should be just resisting a little. If too loose/tight - dump it start over.

Thanks RJ. This last bit about making sure the plug is big enough is critical. I use too little and, as you predicted, it did smoke too hot. Another thing I discovered is that if the tobacco is too dry it won't form a plug as easily. It crumbles instead of staying together. Once i got it right the pipe smoked cooler and formed a nice fine, white ash. I was able to smoke to the bottom but I did have to tamp.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

...an evenly packed filled plug...

No more ring gauge bumps for that anymore, 'Puffs. I'm afraid you've overplayed your hand.

Its messy -

...The trick is to get ENOUGH baccy in on the "pinch". If you don't start with enough, it will be too loose and burn hot. Too much will not fit...

Yeah - it's a finicky thing, a good Frank fill, and it will burn to the end when done right. Fact is, I too find it messy, even though the German guy on YouTube seems to have it all neatly worked out. Practice, practice, practice, I guess. I never got the thing with using a torch - that's dumb. Granted it gives a good quick light but you better be damn well precise or you will burn a pipe in a heartbeat. It's like dancing with the devil. That sort of precision, like Porsche engines and BWM motorcycles, must be something you're born with. In Germany. Ja. Maybe it is better to smoke der Frankenpfeiffen Methodologie if you iss born first in Stuttgart, ja?

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Piper

Thanks RJ. This last bit about making sure the plug is big enough is critical. I use too little and, as you predicted, it did smoke too hot. Another thing I discovered is that if the tobacco is too dry it won't form a plug as easily. It crumbles instead of staying together. Once i got it right the pipe smoked cooler and formed a nice fine, white ash. I was able to smoke to the bottom but I did have to tamp.

There ya go! Easy as falling off a bovine

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

No more ring gauge bumps for that anymore, 'Puffs. I'm afraid you've overplayed your hand.

Yeah - it's a finicky thing, a good Frank fill, and it will burn to the end when done right. Fact is, I too find it messy, even though the German guy on YouTube seems to have it all neatly worked out. Practice, practice, practice, I guess. I never got the thing with using a torch - that's dumb. Granted it gives a good quick light but you better be damn well precise or you will burn a pipe in a heartbeat. It's like dancing with the devil. That sort of precision, like Porsche engines and BWM motorcycles, must be something you're born with. In Germany. Ja. Maybe it is better to smoke der Frankenpfeiffen Methodologie if you iss born first in Stuttgart, ja?

Ok then[SIZE=3] PACK PACK PACK[/SIZE]!

Messy it is, but them the breaks. I find some tobacco cuts to work better (ribbon, loose stuff) - rubbed out flakes are harder, besides I prefer a coarse rubout (or fold-n-stuff) on flakes since I like the slow burn quality. Forget torch lighters, wood matches are the best if one is lucky enough to be allowed to smoke indoors! As for autos, I only drive German creations now

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

Ok then[SIZE=3] PACK PACK PACK[/SIZE]!

Dick. Ding ding ding.

[Vrbas]

I'll be serious about this one.

For me: the following criteria...

[SIZE=5]1[/SIZE] - find a blend that you WANT to smoke to the bottom.
: a number of tobaccos have wonderful taste until the last bit where it can become ashy and unpleasant. Find that blend that holds consistent through out the entire bowl and you notice that either, the flavors improve or they stay the same (the good same). Christmas Cheer 08 did the trick for me (i tip my hat to your buzkirk).

[SIZE=5]2[/SIZE] - find a blend that will LET you smoke to the bottom.
: some tobaccos leave a bit of moister and moisten up when smoked for longer periods of time. When this happens, it's often very hard to hold a cherry or any type of "coal" as the tobacco is way too moist under the dottle. However, it also depends on how fast the tobacco burns and whether or not the bowl heats up too much. This is where you come in. Be patient and careful when smoking as not to "fire" the bowl or gurgle the pipe.

[Piper]

Originally Posted by Vrbas

[SIZE=5]1[/SIZE] - find a blend that you WANT to smoke to the bottom.

[SIZE=5]2[/SIZE] - find a blend that will LET you smoke to the bottom.

Moral of the story: it's not about achieving some goal; it's about enjoying the experience.

[SUOrangeGuy]

Just save up all that dottle, dry it out, and smoke it again like Sherlock Holmes


On a more serious note. If you're pipe is well broken in it does a better job of keeping the tobacco dry enough to burn all the way to the bottom of the bowl.