Tobacco of Choice for Break-In?

[K Williams]

What's your go to tobacco that you use for breaking in a pipe?

I've been going with whatever type of tobacco I plan on devoting(English...most of my pipes, Aromatic, or VaPer) the pipe to, but I've been reading forums and watching YouTube videos where they use a basic virginia or burley until the pipe is broken in.

 

[thedismaltrade]

Carter Hall- smoke to bottom, cup my hand over the top and shake. Repeat repeat. It will also take out a ghost

 

[JustTroItIn]

I use Prince Albert. I like the tobacco, it's easy to smoke, and very neutral to the pipe.

 

[javajunkie]

carter hall or prince albert, old school burley heavy OTCs, are the kings. they burn cool and clean, and very easily, and burley is usually the quickest for cake formation.

BUT. i think a lot of people over think "break in". seriously, it is a process of slowly building up a protective creosote layer between the briar and the burning tobacco. most briar these days WILL be cured well enough that only the most callous puffer would damage it. and we are cigar guys. really, once you understand pacing on a cigar, keeping it cool enough to get flavor out of the smoke, then apply that to pipe, and you WILL NEVER burn out a pipe on your own fault. we all KNOW what a draw is supposed to feel and taste like, and while pipe is a little different, we know when we are pushing it. pay attention and think about it, until it becomes second nature. just like smoking a cigar well.

which is to say, i am smoking my rotation carefully, but putting more effort into finding what works with each pipe, than actively breaking it in. except for my peteys. which are bastards, and needed to be s owed into submission.

 

[Whtwtrman79]

Historically I have tried to break it in with what I planned on smoking in it, however that hasn't always worked the best, for me breaking in the pipe is about getting that nice cool smoke in the end, I have never smoked anything hot enough to be worried about damaging the briar

I'm gonna try the otcs in my sav 320.....had been smoking penzance in it.....then odf

 

[Deadman's Point]

I love breaking in pipes with a good Burley. I used Semois and SG Kendall for my last ones. I don't mind setting these down for a bit while the bowl cools; relights aren't bad tasting.

 

[WaRevo]

In most cases I used Prince Albert. However if I am going to smoke only one blend in a pipe I will use that blend to break it in.

James

 

[K Williams]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll give it a shot...

 

[Hiram-2011]

Breaking in a pipe is easy to overthink, I know I did at first. Anymore I load the pipe up with the type of tobacco I'll dedicate it to and start with that. Always take it easy at first to not overheat and allow rest time. Before you know it you will have a nice layer of cake

 

[K Williams]

Do you think 4noggins Butternut Burley would be a good burley choice for breaking on pipes? Want to add a burley heavy blend to my FVF order.

 

[thedismaltrade]

Do you think 4noggins Butternut Burley would be a good burley choice for breaking on pipes? Want to add a burley heavy blend to my FVF order.

Never had it. Sounds like it's topped to me

 

[stukibuilt]

Do you think 4noggins Butternut Burley would be a good burley choice for breaking on pipes? Want to add a burley heavy blend to my FVF order.

Never had it. Sounds like it's topped to me

It is. Depending on the batch it can aparantly be heavily topped. A guy in another group was microwaving his to knock back the intensity of the topping.

 

[K Williams]

I love breaking in pipes with a good Burley. I used Semois and SG Kendall for my last ones. I don't mind setting these down for a bit while the bowl cools; relights aren't bad tasting.

I ordered some Semois yesterday. figured I'd go high end with the burleys. LOL

 

[WaRevo]

Don't know Semois But I guess if it is good that is what matters. Guess for some it is hard to test the waters of the unknown.... For me If I have it I burn it. No tobacco is safe in my hands. Or pipe for that matter.

James