Ask a Pipe Guy

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by cherrymax

Thanks, Mad Hatter,
Nuked some today and 100% better.

You're welcome. Glad it worked for you. Its not my method but some guys swear by it.

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

Good tip on nuking the backy. I'll give that a try tonight.

How often / How do you know when you should tamp the ash? I usually tamp each time before relighting. And just let the weight of the nail or Chech tool tamp the ash. After the second or third relight the draw starts to get firmer and the pipe smokes hot and then goes out.

Should I tamp less often or stir and dump the ash at that point?

I always tamp when the smoke starts getting whispy and thin. Sounds like you might be overdoing it if your draw gets too firm and is burning hot, but most likely you're getting it too tight during filling and the tamping is just adding to that.

[kamros]

I am a new pipe smoker and i was wondering how tobacco pouches worked. can you store tobacco in them for a long amount of time? how long? any info on them really

sorry i didnt have time to read through all the posts to see if this was asked ust incase.

[Mitch]

I am getting ready to smoke Stonehaven. Which pipe do I use. I have a Latakia, perique, virginia, and two aro's and a cob. Is this considered a english blend, or a burley. Burleys are best in a cob right.

[commonsenseman]

Originally Posted by Mitch

I am getting ready to smoke Stonehaven. Which pipe do I use. I have a Latakia, perique, virginia, and two aro's and a cob. Is this considered a english blend, or a burley. Burleys are best in a cob right.

It is in fact a VA/Bur (Virginia/Burley) blend. I smoke it in my Virginia pipe, but opinions may differ.

[DSturg369]

Originally Posted by kamros

I am a new pipe smoker and i was wondering how tobacco pouches worked. can you store tobacco in them for a long amount of time? how long? any info on them really

sorry i didnt have time to read through all the posts to see if this was asked ust incase.

If the pouch lining is rubber (best material) and undamaged (no tears or cracks) it should be fine. An added measure is to put the tobacco in a zip-lock FREEZER baggie and then in the pouch. NOT the zip-slide type but rather the double seal, blue tinted baggies as they work best.

[DSturg369]

When in doubt always remember......... EVERYTHING smokes great in a COB!!

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

When in doubt always remember......... EVERYTHING smokes great in a COB!!

I'm still fairly new at this but I keep a good supply of cobs on hand for trying new tobaccos. I figure if I don't like it in a cob I'm not going to like it in anything.

[juni]

Something I've been wondering: Since it takes a long time to finish a pipe - is it ok to smoke half a bowl and then take a break and continue it later (hour(s) after) or will it just taste bad or mess with your pipe?

I've been thinking about getting a Stanwell featherweight for quick smokes since they supposedly are quite small but maybe smoking half a pipe and then the other half later could work until then.

And yes, I know I could just pack a little bit of tobacco in the pipe, but it would be easier to not have to fill it again.

[MarkC]

I often have bowls that I finish the next day; while the first couple of puffs may be a bit rough, it calms down fairly quickly.

[Hermit]

Originally Posted by juni

Something I've been wondering: Since it takes a long time to finish a pipe - is it ok to smoke half a bowl and then take a break and continue it later (hour(s) after) or will it just taste bad or mess with your pipe?

That's one of the great things about pipe smoking.
A cigar will taste like crap, but a pipe will probably
taste as good, maybe even better after a while.
They even have a name for it: DGT (Delayed Gratification Technique).

[juni]

Great! I've been worried about cake never building up all the way to the top of the bowl since I never fill the pipe completely. Thank you .

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by juni

Great! I've been worried about cake never building up all the way to the top of the bowl since I never fill the pipe completely. Thank you .

Cake at the TOP is never a problem, it will always grow top-down. The bottom is the issue - one must break in a new pipe carefully so the heel (bottom of bowl, near airhole) gets properly dried/carbonated. Remember, moisture will tend to collect down thar (the so called "dottle") and over time, it soaks into the briar and the heel will eventually just disentigrate into a soggy spongy mess. And taste like crap, too.

[cherrymax]

Recently acquired a Dr. Grabow estate bent pipe. Nice condition except I can't get the mouthpiece seperated from the bowl stem. Anybody have a trick? Also, need it open to see if there is a filter in it.
Thanks.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by cherrymax

Recently acquired a Dr. Grabow estate bent pipe. Nice condition except I can't get the mouthpiece seperated from the bowl stem. Anybody have a trick? Also, need it open to see if there is a filter in it.
Thanks.

I remember reading on here that you can place it in the freezer for a little bit and it should help you to separate it. I am sure that if I am mistaken that someone will point it out.

[madurolover]

What type of tobacco would exhausted rooster be considered? Looked it up on TR but it seems there were some varying opinions on it.

TIA