Trouble keeping bottom of bowl lit

[brianwalden]

Last night I had the joy of smoking a pipe while cleaning the rest of my pipes, but I had a heck of a time keeping the bottom of the pipe lit. After going through half a dozen matches intermixed with tamping, poking, puffing with my fingers over the top of the bowl, reciting incantations, etc., I finally gave up and dumped the pipe out into my hand which revealed the source of the problem...

...there was nothing but ashes left . Thanks, guys. I wouldn't have such a delightful problem if it wasn't for this forum.

But seriously, is there a simple way to know when you're out of tobacco rather than just having a hard time with the bottom of the bowl?

[Mad Hatter]

I use the my pipe tool to poke the ash. You can tell by the resistance what is left .

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

I use the my pipe tool to poke the ash. You can tell by the resistance what is left .

What he said. Sometimes I use my finger instead.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

... I finally gave up and dumped the pipe out into my hand which revealed the source of the problem...

Oh well. There are worse problems.

[drastic_quench]

Yeah, I think that's what the poker on a Czech tool is for.