Relighting

[Ultravox]

So, I have a quick question about relighting tobacco.

Whenever I'm smoking my pipe I know that it's bound to go out at least once (seeing as I'm still new to this hobby) and it usually happens somwhere in the middle. If it happens earlier I simply tamp and relight without any problems. However, when it goes out towards the middle of the bowl the first puff after the relight tastes absolutely awful. I've read that an advantage of pipe smoking compared with cigars is that you can relight whenever you like without any adverse taste effects; I haven't found this to be completely true.

When you guys get into the middle of a bowl and it goes out on you (for whatever reason) how do you relight it? Do you simply tamp and relight or do you, like I often have to, remove the burnt tobacco until you come to the unsmoked section and then relight?

Many FAQ sections say not to worry about your pipe going out on you, but I dread it for fear of that awful initial taste. Can you more experienced gentlemen give me any pointers on avoiding this foul relight taste, or even any hints on keeping the damn thing lit?

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by Ultravox

So, I have a quick question about relighting tobacco.

Whenever I'm smoking my pipe I know that it's bound to go out at least once (seeing as I'm still new to this hobby) and it usually happens somwhere in the middle. If it happens earlier I simply tamp and relight without any problems. However, when it goes out towards the middle of the bowl the first puff after the relight tastes absolutely awful. I've read that an advantage of pipe smoking compared with cigars is that you can relight whenever you like without any adverse taste effects; I haven't found this to be completely true.

When you guys get into the middle of a bowl and it goes out on you (for whatever reason) how do you relight it? Do you simply tamp and relight or do you, like I often have to, remove the burnt tobacco until you come to the unsmoked section and then relight?

Many FAQ sections say not to worry about your pipe going out on you, but I dread it for fear of that awful initial taste. Can you more experienced gentlemen give me any pointers on avoiding this foul relight taste, or even any hints on keeping the damn thing lit?

Don't let your flame touch the tobacco when you relight. Just draw the heat from it gently. Better if you get the flame back to it before it goes out, and don't try to hotbox it to keep it from going out 'cause that scorches the tobacco. You can tell when it is burning down because your smoke gets thin or loses its flavor, becoming scorched tasting to a degree. Get it relit when the smoke starts getting thin but again draw the heat into the tabac, not the flame.

[ShawnP]

Usually if mine goes out midway or lower I simply turn over the pipe so the ashed (only) fall out. Then go about re-lighting it, the ash is what tastes like ass bro.


Now once you get the hang of puffing you will need less re-lights.



Just keep at it and don't give up.



Shawn

[EvanS]

I will say that

[croatan]

Yeah, I agree with ShawnP. I've found that as long as you dump that loose ash out, your chance of it tasting foul on a relight is relatively small.

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by croatan

Yeah, I agree with ShawnP. I've found that as long as you dump that loose ash out, your chance of it tasting foul on a relight is relatively small.

same here for the most part. I've found that a light tamp before dumping tends to break any "crust" that might be trying to bind the ash together.

This can be especially true if you leave your pipe outside under the patio and you live near the ocean where the evening humidity goes from 15% to 85% as the temp drops from 85 degrees to 50 degrees.....

..of course I don't know anyone that would do such a thing.

[Kayak_Rat]

Originally Posted by EvanS

same here for the most part. I've found that a light tamp before dumping tends to break any "crust" that might be trying to bind the ash together.

This can be especially true if you leave your pipe outside under the patio and you live near the ocean where the evening humidity goes from 15% to 85% as the temp drops from 85 degrees to 50 degrees.....

..of course I don't know anyone that would do such a thing.

Prolly the kinda of guy who uses "theat" in a sentence.


I echo what has been stated. Relighting is just part of it.

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by Kayak_Rat

Prolly the kinda of guy who uses "theat" in a

mebee

[Mad Hatter]

Maybe these guys are right. I relight mine several times during smoking before it has a chance to burn out (requires less heat that way and keeps an even burn) and I dump my ash before I reach halfway down because I want it there to insulate my tobacco in the last half of the bowl. I learned this reading Pipes and Tobaccos Magazine, but whatever floats your boat and keeps you smoking.

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Maybe these guys are right. I relight mine several times during smoking before it has a chance to burn out (requires less heat that way and keeps an even burn) and I dump my ash before I reach halfway down because I want it there to insulate my tobacco in the last half of the bowl. I learned this reading Pipes and Tobaccos Magazine, but whatever floats your boat and keeps you smoking.

I only dump my ash if need be. If I have a bowl that is chuggin along I do nothing but enjoy


Shawn

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by ShawnP

Usually if mine goes out midway or lower I simply turn over the pipe so the ashed (only) fall out. Then go about re-lighting it, the ash is what tastes like ass bro.

Now once you get the hang of puffing you will need less re-lights.

Just keep at it and don't give up.

Shawn

Johnny