Category Archives: Pipe Smoking Tips and How-tos

Tamping your way to better smokes

By eric | Published: June 21, 2011

I received the following question on the Contact form from a fellow pipe smoker who is experiencing some problems. …sometimes when smoking, the smoke I am drawing starts to get thinner and the flavor tastes ashy. I imagine that the ember is not igniting more tobacco than the ash on top. I have read other [...]

Also posted in Questions and Answers | 8 Comments

Four Questions: Filters, Pipe Thickness, Burping, and Updates

By eric | Published: February 14, 2011

Here are four questions I have received recently along with their answers. Is it normal when starting to smoke pipe to constantly feel a burping sensation accompanied by a soreness in the chest? If I am looking for a pipe that will absorb moisture and help to burn cool do I want a pipe that has thick walls or thin walls? How do you feel about filtered pipes? I subscribed to the updates but I never receive any emails. Is something wrong?

Also posted in Questions and Answers | 5 Comments

Are all brands created equal?

By eric | Published: November 26, 2010

Here is another question from Seth who basically asks “are some brands better than others?” My question is there a brand that one should look out for that is better than the rest depending on what type one is looking for? Are all pipe tobacco brands created equal? Yes and no. Taste, especially when it [...]

Also posted in Questions and Answers | 3 Comments

Does nicotine content effect flavor?

By eric | Published: November 25, 2010

I try to answer every question and comment I receive and I’ve realized this writing actually cuts into the time I would or could spend adding fresh content to this blog. Another reason I don’t post as often is that I might be fresh out of ideas when I have the time to write. This [...]

Also posted in Questions and Answers | 1 Comment

Pipe Cleaners Bought in Bulk and the Zen of Pipe Maintenance

By eric | Published: October 8, 2010

The best way to clean a pipe is keep it clean. If you take steps to never allow it get foul you never need to un-foul it. I love simple concepts. This is my golden rule of pipe cleaning: Everything that comes out on a pipe cleaner during the smoke never has to come out with a wire brush, alcohol or salt treatment, chisel, or with some sort of percolator contraption. (I don’t own one of those.) Adjust the frequency of your use of pipe cleaners accordingly.

Posted in Pipe Smoking Tips and How-tos | 5 Comments

Do I smoke in public?

By eric | Published: October 6, 2010

This is a question one of the readers asked. He wanted to know if I smoke in public and asked if I had any tips for those who do. There was also the question of stigma and appearances. Generally I do not smoke in public. This is not because I don’t want to be seen [...]

Posted in Pipe Smoking Tips and How-tos | 9 Comments

Some thoughts and tips on tamping – Video

By eric | Published: May 3, 2009

I think a lot of problems people encounter with pipe smoking could be mitigated by improving their use of the tamper. While a lot of care needs to go into the proper filling and lighting of your pipe, that’s not where the attention stops. Keeping the tobacco properly tamped will lead to a more pleasant smoke and a lot less relights, but doing it wrong will make things worse.

Also posted in Video | 10 Comments