Help understanding chamber shape/size, please!

[Mr. Doody]

So I've got a dozen or so pipes at this point. The vast majority have bowls that are, well, standard old pipe bowls more or less. They look and feel like someone took a big bit on a drill press and drilled into the wood/meer (I appreciate it's not necessarily done that way). Some are deeper than others. Some are wider than others. But, generally speaking, it's a straight-down hole of some depth X and some width Y.

That said, I have one pipe that is a big exception. It's a Savinelli 316 and the bowl shape is a bit more cone-like than cylindrical. it's also a Hercules and the opening is huge across at the top.

The 316 smokes differently than my other pipes. It's harder to keep lit at first. Perhaps due to the surface area at the top of the bowl, but it also feels like the draw might come "down the center" moreso and miss some of the edges of the bowl near the top. In fact, I find I have to pack the 316 more attentively and with a level of force I'd never use on any of my other pipes.

I really enjoy smoking out of this pipe. I haven't a clue why though. It's different - I assume because of the bowl shape - that's the only big difference.

Can anybody shed some light on this for me? Is there a mathematics/thermodynamics issue at play here? Or am I just a random bozo who randomly likes this pipe? .

TIA!
Doody

 

[Northern Neil]

http://www.apassionforpipes.com/neills-blog/2010/10/31/how-and-why-chamber-geometry-impacts-tobacco-flavor.html

http://www.apassionforpipes.com/neills-blog/2010/10/28/finding-that-magic-fit-between-pipe-and-tobacco.html

Try giving these a read.

 

[Sasquatch]

In short, yes, the 316 is very wide and very tapered, and both these things mean you need to sort of pack a "plug" and just sort of put it in the pipe (packing hard downward will just restrict things I find).   It's a weird pipe to smoke but once going, much like a typical "pot", you can simmer a lot of tobacco at once and the flavor is good.  

Certainly not a pipe that is good for all tobacco types or flavor profiles, but kind of an interesting pipe to have around.   I would suggest that this 1" sort of mark is about the practical limit for bowl diameter.   After that you seem to start losing on the ability for the whole system to sort of warm up and work together to get a good burn.   Whereas cutting back to 7/8" on diameter totally solves it.

 

[joemelon]

Think those two articles pretty much hit the nail on the head. It amazes me the amount of thinking and literature that this pursuit inspires.

I have a 316 KS and I love the shape also, seems to bring out the sweetness of the Va and Va/Per tobaccos I smoke in it (especially on one transcendental occasion). Doesn't hurt that I feel like this shape is something that would be the companion of an old sea captain.

Sasquatch; I'm definitely going to try the plug method next time I smoke my 316. I can see it doing the job in avoiding that last bit of (moist) tobak I seem to get at the bottom.

 

[desertpiper]

I have a 316 tundra, and it's one of my best smokers. It can take a bit of effort to get lit and stay lit. but once it's going it smokes great. I usually pack mine with a two fill method. I first fill the bowl loosely, and tap the side. Then very gently tamp. Next I fill again and with a little more pressure tamp. And that usually does it for me.

 

[Brewdude]

Have an older 316 that does great with certain cuts. Not a Hecules though.

Pretty much dedicated to Lat blends. Seems to do best with Sammy G's SL. When I want to go there.


Cheers,

RR

 

[Northern Neil]

Think those two articles pretty much hit the nail on the head. It amazes me the amount of thinking and literature that this pursuit inspires.

I hear ya.  It is kind of intimidating.  But at least it gives me all kinds of stuff to research while I am procrastinating at work.:lol: