Reducing Heat by Keeping Ash Covering the Last Tobacco

[alfredo_buscatti]

I thought I'd had a brainstorm about making the last of the bowl less hot by keeping 1/4" of ash over the last of the bowl. It was more cognitive than experiential. After thinking about this I'm thinking that if it does reduce heat, it is minimal. Because ash is non-substantial, heat will travel through it effortlessly.

 

[Anonymous]

So long as a pipe is lit, heat is a constant. The issue with a "hot" pipe is steam. If it isn't smoked slowly enough for the moisture accumulating under the cherry to dissipate, the briar gets hot. Simple as that. Set it aside for a while and, when it's cooled down (and that excess moisture is dissipated), it smokes "cool" again. The smoking temperature is constant ; the moisture component in the smoke is not.

Think of ash as analogous to the insulation in your attic. Moisture will not dissipate (upwards) as easily under a layer of ash as it will if this is periodically fluffed up and tipped out.

So I have found, at any rate. Some like the taste of a smothered pipe. I prefer it to taste the way it did at the char lights -- tobacco plus air minus excessive moisture.

FWIW

:face:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

So long as a pipe is lit, heat is a constant. The issue with a "hot" pipe is steam. If it isn't smoked slowly enough for the moisture accumulating under the cherry to dissipate, the briar gets hot. Simple as that. Set it aside for a while and, when it's cooled down (and that excess moisture is dissipated), it smokes "cool" again. The smoking temperature is constant ; the moisture component in the smoke is not.

Think of ash as analogous to the insulation in your attic. Moisture will not dissipate (upwards) as easily under a layer of ash as it will if this is periodically fluffed up and tipped out.

So I have found, at any rate. Some like the taste of a smothered pipe. I prefer it to taste the way it did at the char lights -- tobacco plus air minus excessive moisture.

All of this. Also, tamping the ash being an artform in itself. It isn't so much about "pressure" one applies, it's about how to properly tend it by being mindful of how the smoke is to your palate. There is a steady change that happens from the first light taste to the dregs at the bottom of the bowl, and all can be very interesting if managed well. Too much tamp, the airflow is disrupted and fire disappears at the bottom. Not enough (assuming too much ash is on top), and good luck getting it lit from above. Ironic.

The size of the tamper, if I might continue this theory, matters as well. Really small-headed tampers are a nightmare, ones too large don't allow customization. A "Goldilocks" tamper is one sized so that there's some space to move around, and just enough to use some angles to move more material further down the edges than the middle. Those cheap aluminum pipe nails are just about perfect, if you ask me.

8)

 

[Anonymous]

Those cheap aluminum pipe nails are just about perfect, if you ask me.

THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

:face:

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

Gents, I must say, very worthy replies. Thankee very much!

 

[bosun1]

Those cheap aluminum pipe nails are just about perfect, if you ask me.

THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



:face:

Times three!

 

[williamcharles]

I thought I'd had a brainstorm about making the last of the bowl less hot by keeping 1/4" of ash over the last of the bowl. It was more cognitive than experiential. After thinking about this I'm thinking that if it does reduce heat, it is minimal. Because ash is non-substantial, heat will travel through it effortlessly.

I used to dump the ash halfway down the bowl, or thereabouts. I found by accident that I get a better smoke if I don't dump the ash so I stopped doing it most of the time. With something like 17fireproof92 or Brackken flake I usually dump halfway but like to keep some ash over the last 1/4 bowl to diffuse the flame and give a more even light instead of it lighting at the draft hole but not the front of the bowl. For me it works. For someone else mebbe so mebbe no.

 

[somedumbjerk]

meh. i always thought a layer of tamped ash would reduce oxygen slightly. might help if you smoke outside and have a breeze about you. probably like most things pipe related absolutely minimal and not noticeable unless you concentrate on it. and even then likely you're convincing yourself of your preconceived notion anyway. i stopped worrying about it. my smokes got better. hope that helps.

 

[Northern Neil]

I have always been under the impression that a thin layer of ash will assist in maintaining an even burn / cherry. I first learned this back in my college day's while experimenting with other substances smoked through a pipe, but good technique is good technique

 

[MisterE]

I tend to dump it out as I go. I like the the freer draw and crisper flavor that goes with it. If it gets too hot, I let it cool down. Simple as that.

 

[cheapsk8]

I have always been under the impression that a thin layer of ash will assist in maintaining an even burn / cherry. I first learned this back in my college day's while experimenting with other substances smoked through a pipe, but good technique is good technique

Hmm....29? Not that long ago for those other pipes...lol

I have never dumped ash. I always keep it too the bottom. The only "issue" as I see it is when I hit the "dottle" if you will, I can tell. Usually I require 1 last light...usually my second after the true light at the beggining...and I get an "ashy" taste for the last few puffs, which I don't mind. I never end up dumping tobacco, just ash at the end of the smoke.

I never put thought into dumping ash...lol.

I have pipes that smoke hot...they seldom get used especially outside. I have pipes that smoke cool...they get used a lot. Ash has never seemed to make a huge difference for me. Then again I am probably a bit of a neanderthal when it come to the finer techniques of pipe smoking.

Wierd thing is my best smoking pipe the wifey bought for me is the cheapest "voyageur" line from Brigham. I've seen them for $47 bucks online where you should be able to get a good cup o coffee.It is a 1/4 bent rusticated with a shorter "40 min" bowl. I fish, mow the lawn, BBQ and just about everything else that dosn't invole the wife being naked or on her knees with that pipe clenced in my teeth. I can't get it to over heat.

BTW, if anyone reading this has not tried the Brigham filter and like to smoke the same pipe without resting too often...give them a shot...

Best,
cheapsk8

 

[Northern Neil]

I have always been under the impression that a thin layer of ash will assist in maintaining an even burn / cherry. I first learned this back in my college day's while experimenting with other substances smoked through a pipe, but good technique is good technique

Hmm....29? Not that long ago for those other pipes...lol

Best,
cheapsk8

I hear ya, but it is amazing how much life changes between 21 and 30!