X-Large Bowl Pipes - Tobacco Hardening?
Oddjob27
Master
Though I may have the "Master" status here... I pose my question to the group and to our TPL MASTERS...
I have a Rossi 8320 which has the Savinelli "EX" sized bowl. The bowl is massive. To give you the run down, I've smoked only about 5 bowls through it. In order to break it in, I have only been loading half bowls; however, after about 10 minutes in and a few tamps the tobacco starts to "harden". When I get down to what I think is the "end" of the bowl it's basically a lump of coal. And then assuming I've finished it, I let it cool, and then when i clean out the bowl, a lump of unsmoked tobacco falls out.
I've had other owners of the same pipe tell me it's taken them a LONG time to break in this pipe, but I'm not sure if its because of the size that I should be packing it differently. I've tried tamping lighter and lighter and it seems to yield the same or slightly more favorable results.
I've only put in burley blends such as Lane Ready-Rubbed and today Drexel II. Nothing overly aromatic.
Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
For reference:
Comments
“Tobacco pipe packing methods-The air pocket method”
Originally from Pipes Magazine
Tobacco Pipe Packing Methods - The Air Pocket Method
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6M1KXnd73w(The URL didn't show up in message from @RockyMountainBriar, so here it is......)
Thanks for posting that video, I was having technical issues.
Yes, I agree pseudo-calabash. I also believe the bottom of the bowl may not cake up with this method, but maybe after a few “air-pocket” bowls, give a “regular” parking a try again?
I always try to smoke to mostly ash at the bottom of the bowl. Yes, I have sucked embers.....and it sucked.
When I am done with a bowl, I strive to leave no unsmoked dottle. It does not always happen this way however, because some tobaccos just leave too much moisture in the bottom layer and I have to dump out soaking wet tobacco. What can I say, I hate waiting for tobacco to dry to perfect smoking level, and probably tamp too much......and I pay for it with bite and soggy dottle. Dumb huh, you would think I would learn?
I'd hate to deal with the dottle left in THAT pipe!
If the dottle was smokeable😖 I could probably smoke for a year on it.
The Master Detective would approve, sir!