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

**c.ortiz108** · 06-30-2015, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Nachman

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.

I might try drying out a little next time.

**GWBowman** · 07-01-2015, 04:56 AM

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** · 07-01-2015, 02:29 PM

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.