Questions You Thought Were Too Dumb to Ask (Pipes Edition)

[c.ortiz108]

Question 1: is not a dumb question at all. Many tobaccos improve with a little rest. Just put it in a canning jar and let it rest for a few days and it often improves the taste.
Question 2: Is there a question in there? With practice your technique and packing will improve and the pipe will go out less. Smoking slow improves flavour and prevents tongue bite, but I am a fine one to talk. I smoke like a freight train. I just tend to smoke tobacco that can stand hard puffing. Aeros and Virginias are prone to tongue bite and lighter tobaccos more than the stout, heavy ones. Most of what I smoke fall definitely into the heavy category so I don't get bit often.

Thanks! So I take it "resting" tobacco is more to do with the tin being opened for the first time, rather than stabilizing humidity after travel like with cigars?

Ha, yeah I guess I didn't really get around to asking question 2.... With cigars the ideal is supposed to be to puff once or twice a minute. Is it the same with pipes, and is that even possible without constant relights? I did get tongue bite with that Firedance today. :p I might try drying out a little next time.

[GWBowman]

Most people say about once a minute. It could vary with the tobacco and the pipe. Getting it too hot can cause problems for the taste, the pipe and the tongue.

[El Whedo]

I take a soft puff every 10- 20 seconds, roughly.

It doesn't get hot, or go out often. I rarely dry pipe tobacco, but Firedance Flake comes really wet (as do most Sam Gawith tobacco's). You might benefit from some drying time on a paper plate.

[Lynn]

what color should my pipe be after I smoke top hat?

[JustTroItIn]

what color should my pipe be after I smoke top hat?

Green so everyone else knows to be envious.

[Basment_Shaman]

How many LBs should a man in his fifties cellar.

[mooster]

Depends on how much you smoke. I'd think more in terms of "years worth of tobacco" than in absolute weight.

[Haebar]

Another factor to consider is how much room you'll have to store the tobacco.

[Alligator Gar]

Bulging tins. Good or bad?

[Cool Breeze]

Bulging tins. Good or bad?

I'm no expert but I don't see how it could be good. Bulging would almost certainly increase the chances of the seal being comprimised.

[Branzig]

Bulging tins. Good or bad?

Excellent. It is a sign of well aged tobacco. As the tobacco ages inside the tin, it gives off gases that expand and push the seals on the tins.

When a buyer see's a bulging tin, they know they are in for some good, well aged baccy. And when a seller see's their tin bulging, they know they are in for some skrilla.

[Alligator Gar]

Excellent. It is a sign of well aged tobacco. As the tobacco ages inside the tin, it gives off gases that expand and push the seals on the tins.

When a buyer see's a bulging tin, they know they are in for some good, well aged baccy. And when a seller see's their tin bulging, they know they are in for some skrilla.

Nice! So to review:
Green beans Bulging=salmonella
Tobacco Bulging=tastyful

[Cool Breeze]

Well I guess you learn something new everyday.
I figured the tin swelling would cause it to lose it's seal.

[mooster]

Another factor to consider is how much room you'll have to store the tobacco.

No way! You start thinking like that, and the next thing you know, you're behaving sensibly!