Tried my first pipe

[sitruc_btb]

Smoked my first pipe this morning. Picked up a cheapo pipe from Amazon and some Tinderbox mild house blend. I enjoyed it, however, my pipe doesn't taste very good. Not sure if it's the quality, or materials used in the pipe, or if there is a break-in method for new pipes. All in all, I liked it. I can see myself kicking back more often with a pipe.

 

[Schmec]

There is a break in. Give it about a dozen good smokes and you'll start to build a decent cake. Pipe smoking is fantastic and very relaxing. Just keep at it and you will enjoy it more and more

 

[sitruc_btb]

Cool, thanks for the input. I've read that pipes need rest as well. How long should a pipe rest, before smoking again?

 

[Schmec]

I normally only smoke 1 bowl a day so 24 hours is the normal rest time for me. General rule of thumb is 24 hours per bowl. So if ya smoke 3 bowls on one day give it 3 days to rest.

 

[Hoshneer]

I will smoke mine multiple times in a day but then I will let it rest a full day afterwards.

 

[mdwest]

I'll typically only smoke one bowl per pipe, per day... And let them rest at least 24 hours...

If I'm going to smoke 2 bowls in a single day (about the max for me..).. I just use two different pipes...

I also try to limit what tobacco types I put in each of my pipes... Virginias and English in some.. Aeromatics in others... Etc...

 

[sitruc_btb]

Awesome. Thanks for all the tips, guys. I find myself having to re-light multiple times. Normal for a first timer?

 

[Schmec]

Ya relights are very common. Some tobacco is worse then others. even lights and a steady smoking pace will help.

 

[mdwest]

i found that once i learned to pack the pipe properly.. and learned to use the tamping tool the right way... relights all but went away...

google "frank method" for pipe packing.. there are several different "correct" ways to pack a pipe.. but this one has worked best for me...

schmec is correct though... relights are common.. nothing wrong with it at all... and some tobaccos are much harder to keep lit than others (I am most challenged by flakes.. and normally stay away from them.. or completely rub them out before packing them because of this..)...

 

[Schmec]

Flake is tricky but Irish flake is one of my favorite tobacco's to smoke. Packing correctly and proper tamping also really help. The pace you puff at to is important. I smoke way to fast all the time so i end up with more relights then necessary but i do the same to cigars to. It's a hard habit to break.

 

[sitruc_btb]

I will try the Frank Method next time. Looks better than some I've seen on youtube. Ill keep practicing. I noticed my pipe doesn't have a perfect seal at the stem and bowl, or shank. Haven't studied up on my anatomy much. Would an air leak affect the burn?

 

[ciggy]

Just started smoking a pipe too...great info guys...Thanks!

 

[Red Raider]

I still need to pick a tobacco and get to smoking. Lit up an aromatic the other day because that what I had onhand from 3 yrs ago and all that anyone local caries... not the wisest choice although my wife loves the smell, the taste not quite what I was looking for...
Is a sampler the best way to start and what brand? I see names referred to like we would a cigar and there seem to be some consistent names, but it means little to someone as ignorant on the topic as I.

I am glad to see there are a few others jumping in about the same time as I so we can learn together and from each other!