Does your tamping change depending upon circumstances?

[kieveryuu]

When walking the other day I noticed I was tamping a lot more than usual. In part because of the wind and in part because of the cooler temperature. This got me thinking and I generally tamp a little more often when walking, even more so in the wind. However I do not tamp very much when just sitting or when inside unless I am having a little trouble keeping the bowl lit.

What about you guys? Does your tamping frequency change given different circumstances?

 

[Kyle Weiss]

After "first tamp," I try and tamp as little as possible in most situations. The layer of ash above the tobacco seems to act both as an insulator and layer of protection. Under tamping/over tamping this layer seems to not provide the right mixture of oxygen/combustible ratios, and finding a happy medium results in a pretty effortless smoke. I tend not to walk around too much with a pipe, as I find the breathing method is a bit different than I prefer, so I can't attest to that.

Wind, vibration and movement may change the parameters and add variables that need to be addressed, though.

 

[monbla256]

When walking the other day I noticed I was tamping a lot more than usual. In part because of the wind and in part because of the cooler temperature. This got me thinking and I generally tamp a little more often when walking, even more so in the wind. However I do not tamp very much when just sitting or when inside unless I am having a little trouble keeping the bowl lit.

What about you guys? Does your tamping frequency change given different circumstances?

I have found that the amount of tamping I do with a bowl is due to the type of tobacco blend and style of pipe as well as if I'm outside or inside as well as the ambient temperature I'm in. Generally speaking, for me, my English/Balkan/Scottish blends like to be tamped more often than my straight Virginias. It all varies really, you have to try to find "that" tamping that works for your style and wants in smoking. Variety is the spice of life

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Generally speaking, for me, my English/Balkan/Scottish blends like to be tamped more often than my straight Virginias. It all varies really, you have to try to find "that" tamping that works for your style and wants in smoking. Variety is the spice of life

Then there's things like plug-cut, which seems to really need to have the crap tamped out of it for some reason, unless it's been shaved down to mere ribbons (which would take hours... :lol: )

 

[idbowman]

I've never noticed any difference in tamping based on temperature or weather conditions (I smoke both indoors and outdoors, though I don't walk much when smoking...like Kyle I find that the differences in "walking breathing" and "smoking breathing" don't mesh too easily).

Ditto to the last two posts though...type of tobacco and how it is cut seem to make the most difference. For me, blends that are primarily ribbon cut take less tamping effort that flakes (unless I've taken the time to cube them first), which require fewer visits from the tamper as plugs or cakes. Also, I find that blends involving primarily VA, Cavendish, and/or Burley require less effort than those using Perique or heavily cased/topped aros (I don't really smoke much Latakia/Oriental, so no comment there).

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I've never noticed any difference in tamping based on temperature or weather conditions (I smoke both indoors and outdoors, though I don't walk much when smoking...like Kyle I find that the differences in "walking breathing" and "smoking breathing" don't mesh too easily).

...but there's nothing wrong with walking briskly to a wonderful outdoor, solitary location with a drink, pipe and tobacco in hand, and then sitting for a leisurely smoke, I've done this many times! :lol: I call it a "Pipenic." 8)

 

[Frost]

Recently, I've only realy been tamping at light up and if/when it goes out.

I don't smoke overly large or deep bowls and I always leave a bit of room between the top of the pack and the rim of the bowl, so I don't feel the need to tamp all that often to settle it down. I'm finding that with most blends a looser pack is favorable anyway and tamping seems to run counter to this notion, so I'll just let it burn until it goes out and then tamp/re-light. Better this way for me than to risk tamping too much in an effort to keep it burning.

An exception would be if there is a significantly uneven burn, but this is rare unless I rush the pack or lighting.

As far as the wind goes, if it wants to take a few loose ashes from my pipe I say it can have them. I'm done with them by that point anyway, right? If it's windy enough to be blowing the still burning tobacco out of my pipe then it's probably too windy to be smoking outside for me.

 

[kieveryuu]

Kyle, like the “pipenic” concept. That is great. Very much enjoy sitting outside with my pipe. Also like a nice gentle walk, so long as it is not to windy. The tamping requirements of different tobaccos is something I had not thought of. Now that I am really branching out in my tobaccos that is something I will be paying attention to.

 

[gtimuns]

I call it a "Pipenic."

and we have ourselves a touchdown :cheers:

 

[jlong]

I agree with monbla on english/balkan blends. I find myself poking and tamping more frequently with those. Sometimes I blow back slightly to stoke the load and that works well. But hey, whatever works.

 

[Wet Dottle]

I don't tamp often after the first, mostly because I forget...

 

[Briar_Bear]

After "first tamp," I try and tamp as little as possible in most situations.

This has been my observation also.