Breaking in a pipe.

[WVDAVE]

Does it matter what type tobacco you use to break-in a new pipe? I read that you should use a burley, but I'm going to use this pipe for VA.s only. Are there any good threads or links to breaking in a pipe? I did a search and I'm having trouble finding some. Thanks.

 

[deepbass9]

My modest and inexperienced, though intelligent (or so I think) opinion is...the tobak doesn't really matter all that much...technique does.

People recommend burley 'cause it smokes cooler than VA's. The object is to not burn a hole in the bottom..which, to me, is technique.

I feel that too much (and I'm guilty of it, too) is focused on wringing the theoretically maximum out of any pipe-related activity. Pipe smoking should be relaxing and not a hassle.

Therefor, my simple advice is smoke what you want, just be mindful of the temp. Sip not puff should always be the way, regardless of the age of the pipe...

From one Dave to another...

 

[KevinP]

There are a handful of tricks to breaking in a pipe. I've tried them all, and it's not that they don't work, but ultimately, I've found that I like breaking in a pipe naturally. It's part of getting to know it, and there's a somewhat greater feeling of accomplishment. I just fill it with tobacco and smoke it normally.

Smoke whatever you like in it. If you plan on dedicating the pipe to a certain tobacco, put that in your pipe and smoke it.

 

[Harlock999]

There are a handful of tricks to breaking in a pipe. I've tried them all, and it's not that they don't work, but ultimately, I've found that I like breaking in a pipe naturally. It's part of getting to know it, and there's a somewhat greater feeling of accomplishment. I just fill it with tobacco and smoke it normally.

Smoke whatever you like in it. If you plan on dedicating the pipe to a certain tobacco, put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Good, sound advice.
There are a million ways to over think a simple task.
Keeping it simple is the way to go, I think.

 

[shootist51]

I was told that burly forms the cake fastest, but Virginia cake is harder and more sturdy.

 

[Lestrade]

Good, sound advice.
There are a million ways to over think a simple task.
Keeping it simple is the way to go, I think.

Simple works best indeed!

 

[Preacher]

Good, sound advice.
There are a million ways to over think a simple task.
Keeping it simple is the way to go, I think.

Simple works best indeed!

This was the advice given to me by my local shop when I first started smoking pipes. I have always followed it and have had no problems.

 

[PipeLeisure]

I wonder if an aromatic would be a good start? I would figure that the casing in the tobacco would help with the cake?

 

[KevinP]

Smoking an aromatic might cake the bowl faster, but it would probably also ghost it, and as I recall (haven't been an aromatic smoker in many years), it isn't *drasticaly* faster. I'm making this number up of course, but using an aromatic to break in a pipe speeeds up the process by, say, 5% at most--you still got a lot of work to do.

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

I just smoke OTC burley for the first few bowls, but really just because I like it not because I want to avoid a different type of tobacco. Don't smoke it any differently.