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

[Branzig]

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.

Kind of hard to answer without knowing what pipes you are smoking...I have pipes that last 15 minutes and pipes that will go for 90+ mins. You need to factor in tobacco cut as well. A MM legend full of Carter Hall will probably last me around 20 minutes where as a folded flake of FVF in the same pipe will go 45 mins. A lot of factors.

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.

Smoke density is a good factor. If it goes out pretty much instantly after lighting it, then you are probably to the dottle. Also taste plays a big part of it. If it taste terrible and like ash, you are done. It is a lot like the nub of a cigar...when it becomes harsh and bitter, time to call it quits.

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

Another "depends" answer. Samuel Gawith flakes can go about 2 months in a tin and be fine. A fine Burley can dry out on you in as little as 3 weeks. A goopy aro will last eternity (but will lose flavor). My general rule of thumb is get it into a jar within a month.

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?

I don't worry about this stuff. I buy jar. I put tobacco in jar. Me smoke tobacco.

I would rather have a lot of 8oz canning jars full than bigger ones half full though myself.

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

I don't smoke indoors, unless you count the shop and garage indoors. I think pipe smoke sticks around and stinks up stuff just as much as cigar smoke does. The main difference is there is a lot less smoke produced I would say when you puff a pipe, and in general, pipe tobacco isn't as pungent as cigar smoke is. Unless you're smoking latakia. That stuff will stink up a room.

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)

I love coffee with Burley and Va. Black/green tea goes well with all pipe tobacco in my opinion. I like peppermint tea with latakia, that is fun to me. Water is always good with pipe tobacco. I drink a lot of beer with my pipes too...but I have been told my pairings are awful so I won't share them...I like bold flavors and people complain that their taste buds aren't manly enough to handle all the flavor awesomeness that mine can.

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

Don't use craft cleaners for your pipe. They are for crafts and not absorbent like "true" pipe cleaners are.

Nice Questions!