Wet Tobacco? Really Light Your Pipe!

[Grimpeur]

A thought for the novice smoker...

Several days ago, I was having tea and pipe outside, despite the intermittent drizzle. To add to seeming difficulty, I was smoking freshly sliced and rubbed GH Brown Twist. Nothing unusual. Except, I recalled all the lamentations I've read over the years about the near impossibility of smoking many flakes and ropes due to moisture.

So. How is it that I generally forgo the paper towels, bowls for airing, and microwave treatments? I light my pipe, and keep lighting it.

Unlike cigarettes and cigars, getting a good initial burn and plenty of smoke may not be good enough, so I keep applying the flame for several seconds beyond the point the tobacco seems well and truly lit.

It seems a shame to have something special put out by GH and let any of the flavour evaporate; I paid for it, I want it all!

This was a practice developed without awareness years ago. Crack open a tin of English-made St. Bruno while working outside, one learns to adapt, I suppose. A former member, some years ago, pointed out that this was The Way, it was only then that I figured out that's what I had been doing.

If you're having difficulty with damp flakes and ropes, I suggest give this a try, see if it makes a difference for you.

One further note: smoking tobacco that's moister than recommended is where a system pipe (Falcon!) really earns its keep. No wonder, given the UK manufacturers' long-standing proclivity for putting out sopping-wet product, that the smokers there made the Falcon their own!

 

[Lunting Lifestyle]

Totally agree with you on smoking it straight outta the tin. I also find that drying it out lessons the flavor, so I avoid doing that. I’ve learned to go slow so extra moisture isn’t really an issue for me, and occasional relights don’t bother me in the slightest…

 

[Pedro]

A thought for the novice smoker...

Several days ago, I was having tea and pipe outside, despite the intermittent drizzle. To add to seeming difficulty, I was smoking freshly sliced and rubbed GH Brown Twist. Nothing unusual. Except, I recalled all the lamentations I've read over the years about the near impossibility of smoking many flakes and ropes due to moisture.

So. How is it that I generally forgo the paper towels, bowls for airing, and microwave treatments? I light my pipe, and keep lighting it.

Unlike cigarettes and cigars, getting a good initial burn and plenty of smoke may not be good enough, so I keep applying the flame for several seconds beyond the point the tobacco seems well and truly lit.

It seems a shame to have something special put out by GH and let any of the flavour evaporate; I paid for it, I want it all!

This was a practice developed without awareness years ago. Crack open a tin of English-made St. Bruno while working outside, one learns to adapt, I suppose. A former member, some years ago, pointed out that this was The Way, it was only then that I figured out that's what I had been doing.

If you're having difficulty with damp flakes and ropes, I suggest give this a try, see if it makes a difference for you.

One further note: smoking tobacco that's moister than recommended is where a system pipe (Falcon!) really earns its keep. No wonder, given the UK manufacturers' long-standing proclivity for putting out sopping-wet product, that the smokers there made the Falcon their own!

Good recommendations!
I don't dry the tobaccos either and prefer falcons for wet tobaccos! I think the falcons and the lakelands are a perfect combination

 

[dobbs]

Count me in the open-and-smoke camp. I've tried varying levels of dryness, and I feel too much flavor is lost if dried more than just a little. I don't have much trouble keeping it all lit either.

I do think it takes practice and when learning the damp ropes/flakes can be troublesome. I also am not a big fan of system-type pipes and don't think they're necessary for enjoyment.

All that said, I may throw out more wet dottle than those who dry to a crisp, but that doesn't bother me at all. I'm a flavor enthusiast.

-dobbs

 

[commonsenseman]

Y'all are really:

 

[Darin]

Keepin' it crispy here ... not a fan of steam.

 

[Bach6032]

"De gustibus non disputandum est."

I'm not fully in either camp but when a blend is positively soggy, it works better for me to give it at least a bit of dry time. If I try to smoke a too-wet blend, I find that it becomes a battle between me and the blend, a fight to see which of us prevails. And it's the 'fight' part that's to be avoided: smoking a pipe should be easy, simple, gentle, and calming--not a struggle. A too-wet blend demands puffing like the bellows of an iron forge, yields a steamy smoke, and just spoils the experience. And for me the flavor of a slightly dried blend is improved, not diminished, because there's no steamy dilution. Along these lines, some of the best experiences I've had result from DGT: a charring light the night before has, by the next morning, driven off a good bit of the dampness, leaving the chamber loaded with tobacco goodness. YMMV.

 

[dobbs]

Keepin' it crispy here ... not a fan of steam.

False dichotomy, but your opinion is not wrong.

-dobbs

 

[commonsenseman]

"De gustibus non disputandum est."

I'm not fully in either camp but when a blend is positively soggy, it works better for me to give it at least a bit of dry time. If I try to smoke a too-wet blend, I find that it becomes a battle between me and the blend, a fight to see which of us prevails. And it's the 'fight' part that's to be avoided: smoking a pipe should be easy, simple, gentle, and calming--not a struggle. A too-wet blend demands puffing like the bellows of an iron forge, yields a steamy smoke, and just spoils the experience. And for me the flavor of a slightly dried blend is improved, not diminished, because there's no steamy dilution. Along these lines, some of the best experiences I've had result from DGT: a charring light the night before has, by the next morning, driven off a good bit of the dampness, leaving the chamber loaded with tobacco goodness. YMMV.

This. All the way. Overnight DGT is so good with certain blends. I don't even give it a charring light the night before, although that's a great idea.

 

[Pedro]

Keepin' it crispy here ... not a fan of steam.

I don't like to load the pipe with dry tobacco, nor do I like to feel dry it in my fingers and the smoke feels hotter... the latter I don't know if it makes sense or not but it happens to me...

 

[Chico]

Count me in the open-and-smoke camp. I've tried varying levels of dryness, and I feel too much flavor is lost if dried more than just a little. I don't have much trouble keeping it all lit either.

I do think it takes practice and when learning the damp ropes/flakes can be troublesome. I also am not a big fan of system-type pipes and don't think they're necessary for enjoyment.

All that said, I may throw out more wet dottle than those who dry to a crisp, but that doesn't bother me at all. I'm a flavor enthusiast.

-dobbs

This exactly, including the part about wet dottle. That's the only slightly annoying thing, if I'm not ready to give up the bowl. But the difference in flavor between moist and dry tobacco is night and day. The only exception for me is that I sometimes like Latakia blends on the drier side, but that's the exception that proves the rule. I like it because the intensity of the Lat diminishes. I.e., it loses flavor. I don't think I'd even smoke straight VAs any more if I had to smoke them dry, though.

 

[Darin]

False dichotomy, but your opinion is not wrong.

-dobbs

Incorrect use of that phrase but your opinion is also valued.

 

[SwampWeed]

 

[Lunting Lifestyle]

View attachment 226623

Yes, I have one of those “winter” lighters too which I use on especially wet aros during the dryer and colder days.

Here’s my summer lighter that helps me with wet aros and the humidity during those hotter dog days…

 

[life at low speed]

For me there's a middle ground. A wet flake straight out of the tin requires too much flame to get going and ends up ruining the taste for me. Leave a flake out for hours or overnight, it turns crispy and bland. I live in a dry climate so I'll usually leave it out for 15 to 20 minutes and I'm in the sweet spot.

 

[Spearheadbill]

This exactly, including the part about wet dottle. That's the only slightly annoying thing, if I'm not ready to give up the bowl. But the difference in flavor between moist and dry tobacco is night and day. The only exception for me is that I sometimes like Latakia blends on the drier side, but that's the exception that proves the rule. I like it because the intensity of the Lat diminishes. I.e., it loses flavor. I don't think I'd even smoke straight VAs any more if I had to smoke them dry, though.

I have some 965 that accidentally got pretty crispy and it smokes wonderfully!

 

[Bach6032]

This. All the way. Overnight DGT is so good with certain blends. I don't even give it a charring light the night before, although that's a great idea.

I'd be curious to know if others (or even any other) go that same route?

A good percentage of the time, on the night before I'll pack a larger bowl (MM General, for example), give it a charring light and, depending upon how I feel, puff a bit before deliberately putting the pipe down before I go to bed. Early the next morning when I totter into the office with a cup of coffee, I'll give the tobacco a gentle tamp, kiss it with the flame, and Bob's your uncle. Works really well for me.

 

[commonsenseman]

I'd be curious to know if others (or even any other) go that same route?

A good percentage of the time, on the night before I'll pack a larger bowl (MM General, for example), give it a charring light and, depending upon how I feel, puff a bit before deliberately putting the pipe down before I go to bed. Early the next morning when I totter into the office with a cup of coffee, I'll give the tobacco a gentle tamp, kiss it with the flame, and Bob's your uncle. Works really well for me.

I think only the super-wise & ultra-intelligent use this approach.

I simply load a bowl & leave it. I did this last night with Salty Dogs, which is incredibly difficult to keep lit. It's really an amazing method, because the top of the bowl dries the most, which makes it easier to light & the bottom stays slightly more moist, which helps to preserve the flavor. Today's bowl was perfection & I credit this method, at least partially.

I will give your approach a try now & see how it works comparatively.

 

[Bach6032]

I think only the super-wise & ultra-intelligent use this approach.

There's the high-IQ society, Mensa, but I'm more like to qualify for membership in the low-IQ society, Densa.

Salty Dogs is one outstanding blend, a wonderful example of what proper plug should be. And yes, it's hard and moist and can be a little cantankerous. My preferred method of preparation is to remove thin slices, cut them across the grain to form cubes, rub those out pretty thoroughly, pack somewhat loosely and then do the night-before charring light and light puffing before putting the pipe to bed. The next morning it seems that magic has happened. The burn is cooperative and there are cumulus clouds of sweet, thick, flavorful comfort.

There are some hard-core tobacco techies on this forum and I wonder if any could provide a scientific analysis of what takes place in a DGT process that makes it more than worth the wait??

 

[commonsenseman]

There's the high-IQ society, Mensa, but I'm more like to qualify for membership in the low-IQ society, Densa.

Salty Dogs is one outstanding blend, a wonderful example of what proper plug should be. And yes, it's hard and moist and can be a little cantankerous. My preferred method of preparation is to remove thin slices, cut them across the grain to form cubes, rub those out pretty thoroughly, pack somewhat loosely and then do the night-before charring light and light puffing before putting the pipe to bed. The next morning it seems that magic has happened. The burn is cooperative and there are cumulus clouds of sweet, thick, flavorful comfort.

There are some hard-core tobacco techies on this forum and I wonder if any could provide a scientific analysis of what takes place in a DGT process that makes it more than worth the wait??

Haha, the Densa Society hits close to home.

I agree on Salty Dogs, it's fantastic. I'm going to try the charring-light method tonight.

I'd like to know the nerd-analysis of it too. All I know is that it works amazingly well.