Curious about wind caps

Michael308

Ok so I've never used one and I'm curious how well it works from some guys that have experience with them. Does it help your pipe stay lit even when not windy? Is it worth it? Will it keep my pipe from blowing out when I'm running code at 120 mph to a hot call with my windows down? lol 
Any input is greatly appreciated as always. 

motie2

@Michael308

Wind caps do what they are supposed to do -- keep the tobacco, burning or otherwise, in the bowl.

There are two basic metal kinds, widely available,


and then, historically, there's this Weber Windpruf:

Kmhartle

I do use a wind cap when it's breezy outside. Especially if I'm smoking on the back porch. It does help to contain the embers from blowing out of the bowl and it doesn't impede the air flow when smoking. I also use them when I pre-load a bowl of tobacco to smoke later. Works great to keep the tobacco from falling out of the bowl until I'm ready to smoke.  I keep a few wind caps in my tobacco / pipe pouch and use them quite a bit. I like the spring adjustable kind (the one on the right in the pic that @motie2 shared) They adjust to fit all but my largest bowl pipes. 

AnantaAndroscoggin

I've never had the separate wind caps, but I have had a few pipes with them hinged to the bowl itself, permanently. That includes my current Mr Brog #21 Military Mount. They do their job, quite well, whether slotted or round holes. Never had a screened one, if such even exist.

PappyJoe

They do what they are supposed to do. Just remember, the get very hot when you are smoking your pipe and makes tamping hard to do.

Oddjob27

Hey @Michael308 I've got a few extra wind caps at home. I can send you one! PM me with your mailing address.

motie2

That's the spirit @Oddjob27

RockyMountainBriar

Wind caps keep the ash in, but more importantly in a stiff breeze they keep the tobacco from burning too quickly and possibly causing a burn-out (bad juju).  I use them as others do, to keep a pipe loaded with tobacco for the next smoke as well.  I find my cut down cork and plastic wine bottle caps work better though to keep fresh loaded tobacco in the bowl and also better sealed from the air.  They keep the tobacco from drying out as quickly.

motie2

Ser Jacopo Spongia R2 D Mangia Fuoco - pipe 1320

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MH3Igb-HIr4

Londy3

What happens to @Oddjob27

PappyJoe

@Londy3
Good question. @Oddjob27 really dropped out of sight last summer. Hope the virus didn't get him. 

Londy3

I just sent him a message. Been since last June

opipeman

@Michael308;
I own one, but haven't used it enough to give any advise. It is good to see you back, however, and I hope your knee and your bride are both better.

KA9FFJ

Thought I'd show you a few of my wind caps...

Londy3

They work.

Winton

I have one. But I only smoke in my garage, so I don't need it. 

PappyJoe

I have several wind caps for use on my pipes. I mainly use them when to keep the tobacco in the bowl of a pipe I pre-load and take with me somewhere. 

KA9FFJ

Now THAT'S a smart idea @PappyJoe
Tnx for the tip...

RockyMountainBriar

If you want to preload a bowl, I have found some wine bottle corks with plastic tops at the local ACE Hardware that work well to cap a pipe.  I just cut them down to about 1/8” or so, just so the cork seats well.  With the cork, the tobacco won’t dry out so quickly.  I use the windcaps like @PappyJoe too, when I need the tobacco to dry out some.

mapletop

I preload pipes almost daily and unfortunately have to empty my coat pocket of tobacco weekly, my wife calls it the laundry's share

RockyMountainBriar

@mapletop
I guess it would get rehydrated that way, unless it made it to the dryer......then you’re back where you started😬.  If it has a “Lakeland Essence” I’m told it tastes like soap anyway, so you might not notice it?  It seems it might be better than nasty old dottle stored up in an old slipper?

motie2

@RockyMountainBriar

Nice literary allusion......😜

motie2

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/ser-jacopo/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=209931

jfreedy

I've always wanted a Savinelli Tortuga pipe which comes with a cap for pre-loading your tobacco like @PappyJoe does.

PappyJoe

@jfreedy
The little wind caps are cheap online. You just want a new pipe.

jfreedy

Agreed! @PappyJoe

motie2

https://www.tobaccopipes.com/rattrays-helmet/

motie2

Two different approaches....

PappyJoe

@motie2
That second example is a windshield, not a wind cap. LOL

I have a friend who has a couple of pipes like that. He smokes them when driving around in his convertible. 

KA9FFJ

I thought that 2nd example was what happens when you rework a pipe that's had one side beaten half to death from knocking it on concrete or other very hard surfaces.
It's an extreme example of super topping one side of the rim...😏😁😏

RockyMountainBriar

@KA9FFJ
I think you have hit on a new “extreme” refurb. process 🤔