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So I packed a couple bowls today (I'm not going to get used to saying that) and it was not overly enjoyable. Seems like I couldn't get the tobacco to stay lit. If i constantly put a match on it I could take a few hits but who the hell wants to do that? Suggestions?


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I haven't smoked a pipe in about 15 years. I'm planning on getting back into it. The good thing about a pipe is you don't have to have an hour or two to smoke it. You could smoke for 5 or 10 minutes. Relight 10 to 15 minutes later, etc...
 

javajunkie

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Seemed to be to moist. Is there an optimal humidity level to shoot for? Can it be regulated like we do cigars?


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it is like cigars in that personal preference (experience needed), and individual blends (again, experience), will tel, you when to smoke a tobacco. for me, drier is usually good. the "pinch test" is a good method: pinch the tobacco, and if it springs back to shape rather slowly, it's good to go. too quickly, and it's too wet. crunch, way too dry. and if it stays in a ball, it's either an aro, or dip, and neither is a good smoke in my opinion. o)

as for regulating, skully has a point about the paper plate, or even a paper towel; it absorbs somemoisture, and provides a greater surface area for evaporation, allowing much quicker prep times. it's like dry boxing,but might only take an hour.
 
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Definitely do not give up in it so quickly, as stated above it will take some time and skill to get down. I still don't have it down all that well yet. When I met Erik Nording he told me to "keep at it and take my time, you'll get it."

I haven't tried the drying on a paper plate or towel yet but the time I had my best bowl I packed it the night before, dry boxed it and then smoked it the following day on lunch break. I lit it once and it went 20 mins with out a hitch till I had to put it down.
 

BrittS88

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Take your thumb or other preferred appendage ;) and put it into the bowl lightly pressing down and spin the bowl in a circle. It will cause the tobacco to spiral and make it less likely to go out.

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I agree the first thing to try is drying out the tobacco. The other is to not get discouraged it seems in the beginning your mainly smoking matches, but it you will get the hang of it.
 

thejavaman

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I like my pipe tobacco on the dry side. It's harder to pack, but to me, it burns & tastes way better. Like others have said, break it up real good & let it sit out on a paper plate overnight & then give it another try. Google "Frank Pipe Method" & try packing it that way too. It takes some technique & experimentation to get it just right. It'll become second nature after a while though. Getting a Czech pipe tool & using the straight metal piece to pierce a hole through the formed cake helps with the draw & burn too. Patience is a virtue. :)
 
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I only have a few pipe tobacco's that I need to dry out first but I don't dry it more than 30 minutes or so. For the most part i've found that my pipes go out due to being packed too tight rather than from overly moist tobacco. While packing the bowl i'll test the draw now and then to make sure it's just right.
 
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