Learn me on lighting a pipe

[Rockminer]

As some of you know, i'm pretty new to this pipe thing. I have figured out the "sip" or slow light pulls when the pipe is lit. The ability to light the pipe is something i'm having trouble with. I always feel like I'm pulling too hard when lighting. I want to easy pull, when lighting it, but it seems like I can't get the flame to go into the pipe without pulling pretty hard. I'm using wood matches.

What's the proper amount of time and pull to get it lit? Meaning, should I use short bursts pulling hard enough to get the flame into the bowl, one long pull etc? most of the times I get hot smoke in my mouth, now, are when i'm lighting.

Thanks

 

[Price]

I use quick, fairly hard (harder than when drawing on the lit pipe, just hard enough to draw the flame into the bowl) puffs while moving the match around the surface of the bowl. Gets the job done for me.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Are you doing a char light first, before doing a full light?

 

[Rockminer]

Are you doing a char light first, before doing a full light?

I feel like I am. I puff until I feel like I've lit the top of the bowl, then I stop and use my tamper and lightly press it down. I then light it again, and begin puffing away. it just seems like when I light it, I get hot smoke and I can feel it on my tongue. I was just wondering if I was doing something wrong.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I feel like I am. I puff until I feel like I've lit the top of the bowl, then I stop and use my tamper and lightly press it down. I then light it again, and begin puffing away. it just seems like when I light it, I get hot smoke and I can feel it on my tongue. I was just wondering if I was doing something wrong.

I use a couple fast but semi deep pulls on the actual lighting, then a few small sips pretty soon after. Possibly you need to dry your tobacco out a bit for a few minutes prior to packing? I know that if it's particularly wet, I have some initial issues with lighting as well.

 

[Rockminer]

I use a couple fast but semi deep pulls on the actual lighting, then a few small sips pretty soon after. Possibly you need to dry your tobacco out a bit for a few minutes prior to packing? I know that if it's particularly wet, I have some initial issues with lighting as well.

I'll give that a try, thanks for the advice. Does the density of the packed tobacco, in the pipe, have a big influence on hard or easy lights?

 

[Shave_Rat]

I'll give that a try, thanks for the advice. Does the density of the packed tobacco, in the pipe, have a big influence on hard or easy lights?

yes, it's harder to light if it's packed tighter/too tight as well. I generally try to pack it under that I want the final draw to feel like, do the char burn, then when I'm tamping a bit from that, try to use the tamper to set the draw to something more what I want, then I do the full light.

 

[Rockminer]

yes, it's harder to light if it's packed tighter/too tight as well. I generally try to pack it under that I want the final draw to feel like, do the char burn, then when I'm tamping a bit from that, try to use the tamper to set the draw to something more what I want, then I do the full light.

Just so I understand what you're saying, you pack the bowl lighter than what you want the final draw to be, do the char light, then use the tamper to pack it, while taking draws with the pipe unlit , until you achieve the final draw you want, then relight?

 

[Shave_Rat]

Just so I understand what you're saying, you pack the bowl lighter than what you want the final draw to be, do the char light, then use the tamper to pack it, while taking draws with the pipe unlit , until you achieve the final draw you want, then relight?

Exactly.

 

[Rockminer]

Exactly.

I'm definitely going to try that, thanks for the info.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I'm definitely going to try that, thanks for the info.

Hope it helps you out.

 

[Commander Quan]

Just a couple thoughts.

Make sure the draft hole is clear, if you over pack the bottom layer the draft hole gets blocked it's tough to get a good draw. Try filling the pipe with a pipe cleaner down the stem into the bowl and then pull it out.

When filling keep the top of the tobacco just below the rim of the pipe. This will help the flame draft down.

Bigger chunks are harder to light, so if you smoking a flake or ready rub put some smaller pieces on top.

 

[Dave258]

Thanks for all the good info guys!

 

[the_edski]

Just like anything else, practice makes perfect. You will get a feel for it, sooner rather than later, because of all the help here!

 

[brother cavefish]

i use a wood match too, lighters seem to over burn thus charring the top of the bowl, my 2cents

 

[Luke49783]

i use a wood match too, lighters seem to over burn thus charring the top of the bowl, my 2cents

That's good advice. My pipe has some burn marks around the top edge of the bowl from my Zippo. Hoping the pipe insert will keep any more from happening.

 

[Shave_Rat]

That's good advice. My pipe has some burn marks around the top edge of the bowl from my Zippo. Hoping the pipe insert will keep any more from happening.

The pipe insert seems to sort that out pretty well. When I'm home and indoors, I use wooden matches 98% of the time. Out and about when I need something easier, I have a zippo with the pipe insert, and it does do a great job.

 

[the_edski]

That's good advice. My pipe has some burn marks around the top edge of the bowl from my Zippo. Hoping the pipe insert will keep any more from happening.

The pipe insert seems to sort that out pretty well. When I'm home and indoors, I use wooden matches 98% of the time. Out and about when I need something easier, I have a zippo with the pipe insert, and it does do a great job.

+2. Pipe chimney insert for a Zippo makes lighting a pipe infinitely easier and much safer for the rim of the bowl.

 

[brother cavefish]

That's good advice. My pipe has some burn marks around the top edge of the bowl from my Zippo. Hoping the pipe insert will keep any more from happening.

at times when i was impatient i used my wifes lighter, darkened a great Bari apple i had for years, crap-never again only matches

 

[Rockminer]

Has anyone tried the Thunderbird pipe insert, for a Zippo, that runs on butane?