Newbie mistakes and how to avoid them.

[Cool Breeze]

Hey guys. Loving the pipe so far, so much in fact that my poor humidor is sitting by getting neglected.
I've made a few mistakes in the last few weeks and thought I could pass it along and maybe a newbie like myself can read about and avoid them.
Feel free to mention your own bone head mistakes and help the newbs learn from our errors.

1. At first I found myself heating up the pipe too much because I was puffing hard to try and keep it lit. With me being a cigar smoker, I know the importance of not having to relight. It tastes like crap with a cigar but not so with a pipe. I had to learn the hard way that it is perfectly fine, and even normal to have to relight a few times during a bowl. You may get one now and then that burns the whole way down, but that, in my experience is the exception not the rule.
Take your time and relight if you need to. Your tongue will thank you.

2. Forget the 3 step method of packing your pipe. It's a pain in the ass for a newbie. I got so frustrated with it I nearly said to hell with it and just stuck with cigars. Then I found other ways to do it.
I have found that there are 2 methods that work well for me. I am a newb so maybe they will work for you too.

One is the swirl method. Here is a link. This is probably the easiest and I always seem to get a good pack. I use this method the most often.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePTCsBb7xAQ

The other is the Frank method. It too is not difficult and gets a great pack every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgJgNNkblq4

Hope these tips help some newbs like myself out. I really like Kel's videos. He's a smart funny guy who seems to really know his stuff, or at least knows what works for him.

You experienced guys feel free to offer any advice and maybe some insight to lessons you learned the hard way.

[Cool Breeze]

I forgot a 3rd one. It's not necessarily a mistake I made but rather one I could have made.

Don't be a tobacco snob and discount a particular tobacco just because you can buy it at the local drug store.
I don't know if I ever would have tried the drugstore blends but I got some samples from a fellow BOTL and my eyes were opened. I tell you, I like Prince Albert as much as any I've tried so far. I'm sure I'll have dozens of different blends on hand before it's over but I really like PA and I'm certain there will always be a place for it in my rotation.

Don't be turned off by pre conceived notions. Try anything you can get your hands on. I'm sure glad I did.

[Demuths1770]

I like the 3 layer method but am gonna give the a try. First one seems to messy for when I'm at a b&m lol. Good tips though. I will add number 4

4. Don't use a torch lighter. If your making the switch from cigars to pipes leave the cigar torch at home. You want a soft flame like a match or bic lighter. I like the zippo right now

[Tony78]

@Cool Breeze > Others may laugh at me for saying this but PA in the 14oz tub tastes different to me than PA in the fold over package. The PA I sent was from the tub and I believe it's the better of the two.

/me puts fire suit on and is awaiting the flame bath.

[Rocket Scientologist]

So what kind of draw resistance are you looking for in a pipe? I thought the goal was decent resistance, those packing techniques seem like you'd get a really loose draw.

[Branzig]

So what kind of draw resistance are you looking for in a pipe? I thought the goal was decent resistance, those packing techniques seem like you'd get a really loose draw.

I like a nice open and free draw. The closest thing I think you can relate it to would be sipping soda from a straw. If it feels like drinking a milkshake through a straw, then you are packed way too tight and will have burn issues and flavor issues working through the bowl.

A lot of the pipe's draw hole can make packing a pipe even more challenging. Especially if you are into older pipes, they seemed to use smaller draw holes back then. I am so obsessed with open draws that I re-drill any of my pipes that won't pass a 5/32 drill bit...

[Demuths1770]

So what kind of draw resistance are you looking for in a pipe? I thought the goal was decent resistance, those packing techniques seem like you'd get a really loose draw.

huge difference in a losser drawer and tigher drawer. i have noticed if i pack it on the tighter side i end up with a ton of relights where as with a loser draw i have a ton less relights as long as i keep up on tamping. yesterday only had two relights. the pack can really make a difference in your smoking experience

[Emperor Zurg]

I like the 3 layer method but am gonna give the a try. First one seems to messy for when I'm at a b&m lol. Good tips though. I will add number 4

4. Don't use a torch lighter. If your making the switch from cigars to pipes leave the cigar torch at home. You want a soft flame like a match or bic lighter. I like the zippo right now

I do use my Jetlight sometimes. You have to hold it way above the bowl and just let the heated air wash over the baccy. It's easy to scorch the rim this way so it's best to reserve the technique to cobs and/or very wide bowls. Downside is you look like a crackhead firing a rock. DON'T TRY THIS IN FRONT OF POLICE!

Hands down the BEST way to light a pipe however (IMO anyway) is with a wooden kitchen match.

[Demuths1770]

I do use my Jetlight sometimes. You have to hold it way above the bowl and just let the heated air wash over the baccy. It's easy to scorch the rim this way so it's best to reserve the technique to cobs and/or very wide bowls. Downside is you look like a crackhead firing a rock. DON'T TRY THIS IN FRONT OF POLICE!

Hands down the BEST way to light a pipe however (IMO anyway) is with a wooden kitchen match.

i actually did this once. i ran out of matches at cigars international and was so comfortable i didnt wanna get up so i used the jetlite on my cob and got a small scorch. since than i have been using a zippo or matches

funny side note my first pipe was a REALLY small biar pipe and because of its size it looked like a pot pipe.

[Cool Breeze]

@Cool Breeze > Others may laugh at me for saying this but PA in the 14oz tub tastes different to me than PA in the fold over package. The PA I sent was from the tub and I believe it's the better of the two.

/me puts fire suit on and is awaiting the flame bath.

Interesting. I may have to do a little experimenting.

And @ Rocket Scientologist, I like a really loose draw on a pipe. I think I'm in the majority there but couldn't swear to it.
I don't want to take a big draw. Just sip it and taste the baccy.