Bowl depth - when is it too deep?

[Brewdude]

So what are your views on personal preferences for maximum bowl depth? And yes of course it also depends on the diameter, wall thickness, type of tobacco and so forth. My objective here is to see what you might see as the deepest you'd consider for a pipe that would be smoked regularly.

I ask since I'm considering a pipe that has a chamber that measures 1.87" and that's pretty deep! I like the style of the pipe but at the same time am aware that all of my regular smokers are more in the range of say 1.25 to about 1.35, with about 1.5 being the deepest. These all have diameters of around .80 or less. Normally less.

A proper pack with the right 'baccy at the optimum moisture level on these insures me a long sipping session. Can't say I get to the one hr mark like some of you slow smokers, but suffice to say what I get works for me.

So I'll also admit that after 1/2 to 3/4 hr with the same 'baccy I find my palate is getting tired of it anyway. In this sense I'm understandably aware that a pipe with a 1.87 depth might very probably be too much, and therefore a bad investment.

DGT is not a workable option either. I'll finish a bowl or dump it.

This will certainly come down to personal preferences, but that's what I'm seeking here - opinions on various maximum bowl depths vs enjoyment.

Your experiences appreciated, and TIA.


Cheers,

RR

 

[tech2576]

I have a couple that are about 1.5 inches deep and that is about all I can handle at one time.
If you really like the pipe consider just 3/4 bowls and call it good!

 

[Sasquatch]

a) you don't have to fill a tall bowl.

b) some blends really develop and crescendo in a tall bowl

Personally, I like pipes that are around 2" deep or a little less, and about 7/8" across. These smoke like magic for me.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

So long as the bowl doesn't go below the draft hole, no problem... :lol:

...I have a couple of pipes that have some deep bowls, and they have their own character. I like 'em.

8)

 

[monbla256]

The largest briar I have is a Sav Hercules Bulldog with a bowl depth of 43mm x 24mm width. Takes about 1 1/2 hour for a bowl of Royal Blend and I just finished it's first bowl of Blackwoods Flake which took about 2 3/4 hours to smoke. I have an egg/claw Meer with a bowl at 48mm d x 28mm w and I can get a little over 3 hours with a flake Va in it. I do smoke slow with several re-lights as I let it go out often setting the pipe down when i have to do something. I don't really just sit and smoke, rather I usually have a pipe in my hand or mouth most of the day. I take breaks and put it down to eat and such but otherwise I'm smokin' this "evil weed "

 

[Rob_In_MO]

When is the bowl too deep?

:mrgreen:

 

[Puff Daddy]

It's too deep when you can't get a flame all the way down there.... :suspect:

 

[Smoker99]

I like a longer smoke, and have recently developed an affinity to stacks with about a 3/4 in bowl dia. This old Sasieni Royal Stuart is one of my favorites.

 

[MisterE]

You might need one of those barbecue pistol lighters for this one.... :shock:

 

[Brewdude]

Great responses guys, and keep them coming.

So what I can devine is that I shouldn't be concerned about the tall bowl depth?

Just load it up to my preferred max pipe load, and not be concerned if it's 3/4 or so.

Should I be concerned if the cake doesn't build to the top? Will this compromise the briar with no cake?

Never have done this before, so it's all new territory fror me!

:!:


Cheers,

RR

 

[Rusty Mouse]

When is it too deep?



Now.

 

[Zeno Marx]

I like a longer smoke, and have recently developed an affinity to stacks with about a 3/4 in bowl dia.

I'm envious. I love the oom paul shape and have owned (and sold) several. I just cannot get into the tall bowl. I've never owned a stack, but I've owned many large pipes with especially deep bowls. A small percentage of them were exceptional smokes. I didn't necessarily fight them, but they certainly didn't work with me. I'm often drawn to tall billiards that aren't quite stacks, but I shy away from them because of my past track record.

 

[gravel]

When is it too deep?



Now.

Clearly a clencher.

You could smoke a brat in that bowl or remove the stem and serve it as an eclair.
Alternately that would make a fine cane for someone really short.

 

[MisterE]

Joel S. was a visionary in his time, but now he's got the short stack....

 

[Blackhorse]

A bowl is too deep when you keep throwin' tobacco in there and it never comes up to the rim.



It's a "Lassie! What's the matter girl? Hey Uncle Brewdude...I think Timmy's fallen in the well!" kind of thing.

 

[Brewdude]

A bowl is too deep when you keep throwin' tobacco in there and it never comes up to the rim.



It's a "Lassie! What's the matter girl? Hey Uncle Brewdude...I think Timmy's fallen in the well!" kind of thing.

Ja ja, alvays mit ta chokes....

:joker:

Actually, I'm minded to give this pipe a miss......despite the style which appeals to me big time....

Reality prevails however, and for me the chamber depth is just too much. Truth be told, after say 45 min or so with the right pack and moisture level I start to lose interest. Too much of a good thing? Maybe, but that's how I roll.

Don't really want to DGT it until later or tomorrow even. Not really my style. I have a hard time finishing some bowls of much less depth actually, even though they're smoking fine! Sacrilege, yes certainly. Guess I have a short attention span....

:drunken:



Cheers,

RR

 

[Blackhorse]

Brewdude:

You know yourself best...and I think your decision, based on that knowledge and a good amount of logic will serve you well.


For me...a deep bowl (even 2"...depending on the width) works well, but only with some blends. I wouldn't want to smoke flakes in them, but blends like Storm Front, Oriental Silk and that kind of cut seem to work really well...if I do my part with cadence and light tamping. If I get too aggresive with tampling it ends up by creating a lump in the bottom that won't draw, turns hot and requires a lot of fixing or having to dump the load.

But that's due I guess to the way I smoke, which is almost always linked to when I'm working in the shop...pipe stuck in there and me sipping away gently. Perhaps that's one reason I seem to be coming around to more bent designs as they hang lighter, which is an asset.

 

[George Kaplan]

When is the bowl too deep?

:mrgreen:

Thank you, Rob. I recently came to posses a MacArthur as part of an estate lot. I think it may just be the most ridiculous thing I've ever tried to smoke with. (that didn't involve that OTHER pipeweed) I tend to suspect old general Doug was compensating for something.

 

[Smoker99]

When is the bowl too deep?

:mrgreen:

Thank you, Rob. I recently came to posses a MacArthur as part of an estate lot. I think it may just be the most ridiculous thing I've ever tried to smoke with. (that didn't involve that OTHER pipeweed) I tend to suspect old general Doug was compensating for something.

Mostly he was just mugging for the press.