Bringin' It Back!

tomatobodhi

How do you bring back a pipe that is starting to go out, but hasn't gone yet?

Sometimes I use a slow but long draw to ignite the tobacco around the ember, sometimes I let it go out and relight, and sometimes with some cuts I just puff it back to life.

Any thoughts, rituals, or other methods? Aerating and tamping, etc?

mhajec

I usually tamp lightly and evenly, then draw, if I've done it right I get a little smoke. Then I take a long draw and it usually stays lit. Every now and then I'll blow lightly through the stem and that usually kickstarts it right back to life.

judandhispipe

I give it a light tamp,and then draw. If that doesn't work, it's gone out.

CretinDan

I am apparently a Philistine, as i will just grab the lighter, give it a quick flame and re-tamp.

LostMason

Having done all the above,I will also partially cover the bowl like a damper and draw at the same time.

drac2485

I draw a long draw and then a few quick draws as I tamp and like @mhajec I blow through lightly every once in a while and it seems to help. 

Topaz75

I'm with LostMason on this one. I find that I can generally bring it back to life if I cover the bowl with a couple of fingers and draw at the same time.

thebadgerpiper

If I'm reading, I'll put two fingers over the bowl and draw/blow until the ember is nice and going. If I'm writing, then I'll just relight and keep working.

Woodsman

I don't really mind relights. If I were practicing for a smoking contest then it's a good thing to try to bring it back.

pipeman83

I usually puff a few times and that normally works, if not, I tamp and relight.