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

[Haebar]

Here's a slew of dumb questions for everyone.


2.) How do you know you're at the bottom of the bowl? I relight ash last night about 3 times before I gave up, only to dump out the ash and realize the tobacco had been smoked and I was done.

Feel it out with your pipe tool; if there is some in there, you will feel it. The best bet is to smoke it until it starts getting hot and/or bitter, then put it down. Don't try to scrimp on tobacco at the expense of your tongue.

[JustTroItIn]

5.) It seems that there are far more pipers that smoke indoors than cigar smokers. Is pipe smoke less invasive than cigar smoke?

Your other questions seem pretty well covered but this one reminded me of a story.

My wife and I are both smokers and smoke in our basement. When I started getting serious about cigars a little over a year ago the wife told me to go ahead and give it a try in the basement. When the day came that I decided I was going to have a stick, I didn't tell anyone in the house I just lit one up. I hadn't been smoking that cigar for five minutes before the wife came downstairs to find out what the hell that nasty stink is.

The pipe on the other hand has never had a complaint other than when I was smoking Irish Flake and she was sitting about 5 feet from me. Even then, I still finished the bowl.

[mooster]

Here's a slew of dumb questions for everyone.

1.) How long does a "typical" bowl last? I realize this is going to depend on the size of the pipe and how fast you smoke. I know when I sit down for a Robusto it can take me anywhere from 50-80 minutes to get through it. If I don't have at lest 80 mins free I won't light it up.

Mine are usually about an hour and a half to two hours, but I like larger pipes than some. That's actual smoking time; the time on the clock shows that the answer to your question is "it doesn't matter". If I get distracted, or have to abandon the pipe for a bit, it's perfectly fine after relight, which for me is a major advantage for me because squirrel!

2.) How do you know you're at the bottom of the bowl? I relight ash last night about 3 times before I gave up, only to dump out the ash and realize the tobacco had been smoked and I was done.

I'm embarrassed to say that I'll be watching for the answers you get...

3.) How long can I keep tobacco in an opened tin?

Going past ten days makes me nervous. But they're usually empty by then for me.

4.) Can there be there too much (or too little) air in a jar of aging tobacco? I was looking at these jars http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20227984/ and they are 17oz. Say I buy a tin or two and throw it in the Jar. Is that too much space / air contacting the tobacco?

See my answer to number two...

5.) It seems that there are far more pipers that smoke indoors than cigar smokers. Is pipe smoke less invasive than cigar smoke?

In my opinion (which is the only one that matters; the cats poop in a box-what can they say?) yes. I'd forgotten how much the difference was when I ordered a handful of singles this month. Fortunately, it's a warm week and I can air the place out, and save the rest for summer.

6.) Rootbeer was recommended as a beverage that pairs well with cigars. Any go to beverage that pairs well with pipe tobacco (of any kind)

For me, coffee or tea is required.

7.) Are the pipe cleaners sold for pipe cleaning the same as pipe cleaners sold for crafting?

I don't think so; the ones I've seen are pretty fuzzy.

[Brent Strande]

With pipes and relights how much time can pass between? With cigars it seems to be not much at all, but people mention drawing out pipes all the time.
20 minutes?
An hour?
A day?
Say I light a bowl and something comes up, can I finish it in the morning?

Also, when jarring samples (say, from a bomb) should the baccy go in while still in the bag or dump it into said jar?

[mooster]

With pipes and relights how much time can pass between? With cigars it seems to be not much at all, but people mention drawing out pipes all the time.
20 minutes?
An hour?
A day?
Say I light a bowl and something comes up, can I finish it in the morning?

I try not to wait a month, but it has happened. Seems like once it's loaded in the bowl, it can get as dry as it wants, or maybe our humidity is just right around here.

Also, when jarring samples (say, from a bomb) should the baccy go in while still in the bag or dump it into said jar?

Dump it in the jar.

[BryGuySC]

With pipes and relights how much time can pass between? With cigars it seems to be not much at all, but people mention drawing out pipes all the time.
20 minutes?
An hour?
A day?
Say I light a bowl and something comes up, can I finish it in the morning?

I've let mine go a week or so. If I know I won't be able to get to it that day, I'll stick the pipe in a ziplock bag, once it cools.

Also, when jarring samples (say, from a bomb) should the baccy go in while still in the bag or dump it into said jar?

If it will fit, I just shove the bag and all into a jar. It sometimes makes loading the pipe easier with a small sample.

[Rocket Scientologist]

With pipes and relights how much time can pass between? With cigars it seems to be not much at all, but people mention drawing out pipes all the time.
20 minutes?
An hour?
A day?
Say I light a bowl and something comes up, can I finish it in the morning?

I've let mine go a week or so. If I know I won't be able to get to it that day, I'll stick the pipe in a ziplock bag, once it cools.

Is the tobacco worth doing that? Why not just dump it out and start over when you can?

Of course, this is coming from a noob's perspective. All I have is 2 MMs and some Prince Albert type tobacco.

[BryGuySC]

Is the tobacco worth doing that? Why not just dump it out and start over when you can?

Of course, this is coming from a noob's perspective. All I have is 2 MMs and some Prince Albert type tobacco.

It depends on what tobacco it is. For cheap tobacco, yeah, just dump it. Some tobaccos (think heavy, moist flakes) it could actually improve your smoke.

I love your screen name, by the way.

[mooster]

Is the tobacco worth doing that? Why not just dump it out and start over when you can?

Of course, this is coming from a noob's perspective. All I have is 2 MMs and some Prince Albert type tobacco.

Well, often times (at least with virginia blends!) the tobacco is better after it's sat there in the pipe a while anyway. At least for me.

[bluenoser]

How many bowls should it take to break in a new pipe?