How to Smoke a Tobacco Pipe (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

The art of smoking with a pipe is one way of enjoying tobacco. Smoking with a pipe is a fun way of smoking, but it is not preferred by today's smokers. Therefore, you can use a pipe for a rich smoking experience, not as a safe alternative to smoking. The health risks are the same or somewhat reduced.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Preparing Materials

Step 1. Locate the pipe

One of the pleasures of smoking pipe tobacco is that you can make your own. Take the time to look around tobacco shops so you can choose a good, comfortable pipe. Weigh each pipe by hand - lighter tubing is always better. If you don't know anything about plumbing, ask the clerk for a recommendation.

Even a good wood pipe has its downsides - and quite possibly so if it's cheap. If the main consideration is a matter of price, a pipe from corn cobs is a more economical choice.
The metal filter on the handle can absorb moisture and possibly detract from the taste. This is just a matter of personal choice, and the filter should be removed if you change your mind.

Step 2. Look for any mechanical faults

Damaged pipes are very annoying when used for smoking. Avoid annoyance by inspecting the pipe carefully before buying it:

Do not buy a pipe with a wall thickness of less than 6mm, about the width of a pencil. The base is at least this thick as well; how to measure it is to insert the pipe cleaner into the pipe chamber, then pinch the top of the chamber, and compare its height with the outer wall.
Push the pipe cleaner into the stem. The pipe cleaner should enter smoothly and then exit very close to the bottom of the tubing.
While there are exceptions, a thick layer of varnish can peel and bubble from heat after repeated use.

Step 3. Prepare all the equipment

You don't just need a pipe to smoke. If you're going to a plumbing shop, buy everything you can so you don't have to go back and forth and avoid arguments. You will also need:

Lighters or matches. Gas lighters are cheap and widely available, but some smokers don't like the smell and taste. Lighters for pipes are available in a variety of prices, but it's a good idea to stock up on wooden lighters (geetan). You can save up to buy a lighter for the pipe.
A number of pipe cleaners to keep pipes clean and in good working order.
tamper. This tool is used to condense the tobacco in the bowl (bowl).

Step 4. Select the tobacco for the pipe

Walking into a tobacco shop can be confusing at first. Cyprian Latakia? Dutch Cavendish? Fortunately, if you learn quickly, you'll have enough stock when you first buy tobacco:

Aromatic blends (sometimes called American) have added flavor. Most beginners prefer lighter, sweeter tobacco.
Non-aromatic blends are pure tobacco, usually having a strong and spicy taste. English blends are non-aromatic blends containing Latakia, a strong, smoky variety.
Any tobacco goes through the Cavendish process to make it sweeter and lighter.
If possible, buy two or three sample cans so you can try a wider selection.

Step 5. Select the tobacco pieces

Tobacco is sold in various shapes and sizes. There are many cuts and ways to make them, but the following are a good choice for beginners:

Tobacco with the type of ribbon cut (ribbon cut tobacco) is long, thin, and looks like small ribbons. This type of cut tobacco can be placed directly in the pipe bowl.
Tobacco with the type of flake cut (flake cut tobacco) is in the form of thin plates, or irregular pieces. Whatever type of tobacco you choose, rub the tobacco with your fingers until it falls into small flakes.

Part 2 of 3: Smoking

Use Proper Etiquette when Smoking Step 7

Step 1. Take about 20–40 minutes

Smoking a pipe is a relaxing activity. Choose a comfortable place, not a lot of distractions, and do not disturb other people.

If you smoke with a new wooden pipe, smoke indoors and away from people. Even a light breeze can cause the pipe to overheat, which can damage the briar wood pipe before it breaks the inside. Most pipes don't need to be treated that way, including corncob pipes

Step 2. Prepare a glass of water

Drinks can prevent your mouth and throat from drying out, and prevent your tongue from hurting. Some people enjoy mixing pipes with coffee or tea, but don't do that if you're not experienced, and can choose a blend that works.

It is not recommended to drink alcohol before or during smoking, because it can increase the risk of cancer

Step 3. Clean the pipe

Each time before you smoke with a pipe, slide the pipe cleaner along the stem of the pipe and tap off any excess ash and tobacco.

Step 4. Fill the pipe with three pinches

It takes practice to fill the pipe snugly, and it has a huge impact on your enjoyment. Tobacco should be loose enough that you can draw air in between them, and elastic to the touch. Ask an experienced pipe smoker for advice on what to do, or use these easy-to-follow methods for beginners:

Put a pinch of tobacco in the bowl of the pipe. Tighten a little or not at all, so that there is plenty of air between the leaves.
Add quite a few pinches of tobacco, compacting slightly until the pipe bowl is half filled.
Finish by adding a third pinch, then compact it by lightly pressing it until there is a gap of 0.6mm above the tobacco.
Note - when using a new briar wood pipe for the first time, many people fill it to or of the depth described here for initial smoking. This helps form a protective layer, but not all smokers agree with this approach.

Step 5. Light the pipe with a wooden lighter or gas lighter

If using a wooden match, let the sulfur burn for the first few seconds so that the whole mouth doesn't taste like a match. Move the flame around the surface of the tobacco while taking a deep breath through the pipe. If the pipe immediately dies - this is common - just tap gently and turn it on as before.

Step 6. Smoke by taking short, occasional breaths

Most pipe smokers smoke by sucking in slowly through the mouth, or moving the tongue back along the roof of the mouth. Some beginners and cigarette smokers inhale through the nose, but you should try to keep the smoke in the mouth, not in the lungs. Hold the pipe bowl with your hands as you smoke for the first time. Inhale often enough to keep the fire burning, but don't let the tube get too hot to handle.

There is a small percentage of pipe smokers who like to catch their breath every now and then; it gives more nicotine pleasure. Pipe cigarettes are much stronger and tougher than cigarettes, so inhale slowly and limit to one to two breaths per bowl.
Avoiding inhalation can indeed reduce the risk of lung cancer, but the risk of oral cancer is still high due to long-term use.

Step 7. Compact it and turn it on again if necessary

If the fire in the pipe goes out, simply compress it again and then light it. The ash surface is actually useful, and doesn't need to be removed until it's thick enough to block the flame. If this happens, tap it so that about half of the ash comes out by tapping the tubing rod against a cork knocker (a device for tapping pipes), your hand, or other soft object.

Part 3 of 3: After Smoking

Step 1. Let the pipe cool

When finished smoking, cool the pipe. If you don't smoke until the tobacco in the pipe bowl is gone, press down on the tobacco to turn off the heat.

Never remove the pipe while it is still warm. This can break the stem

Step 2. Keep the bowl

There are two approaches to this, based on the type of pipe:

Briar wood pipes need an additional layer of cake to protect the wood. Cover the bowl and shake the ash so that it loosens and hits the perimeter of the pipe bowl. Using your hands, rub the ashes against the walls of the bowl. Then throw away the rest.
For other pipes, most smokers usually keep the pipes clean. Remove the ashes, then wipe the bowl with paper towels or pipe cleaner. (Note that the Meerschaum pipe should not have a thick layer of ash.)

Step 3. Clean the stem and shank

Remove the pipe stem and insert a pipe cleaner into it to remove moisture and residue. Do the same with the neck of the pipe, leading to the bowl.

Step 4. Push the pipe cleaner along the neck and stem of the pipe

Remove the rod from the pipe. Moisten the pipe cleaner a little (you can salivate a little) then push it against the neck of the pipe until you can see the bottom of the pipe bowl. Repeat this process a few times, occasionally blowing the tubing to remove any loose ash. Repeat on the stem.

Step 5. Air the pipe for a day or two

This will allow the moisture in the tubing to evaporate, so you'll have less trouble breathing and prevent gurgling sounds.

If you want to smoke more often, add a pipe collection.
You can leave the pipe cleaner in the pipe to absorb any remaining moisture.

Step 6. Wipe with rubbing alcohol after the pipe has been smoked several times

A pipe cleaner or cotton swab dipped in alcohol will remove any debris that could clog airflow or affect taste. Then clean with a dry pipe cleaner to remove any moisture. Some people clean their pipes after every smoke, but there are people who don't bother doing this. If you continue to practice this habit, ask a fellow smoker to help look for signs of dirty pipes.

Tips

Most importantly, be patient and take it slow. Generally, pipe smoking isn't great until you're good enough at inserting, lighting, condensing, and finding the right smoking rhythm. It can take some time to find your favorite tobacco mix and pipe that suits your taste.
Tobacco is packed with different humidity levels, this one really depends on personal preference. Extra-moist canned tobacco may be easier to smoke once you've aired it a little.
Get support and advice. There are many forums and great people who can help you discover this great hobby and pleasure.
To keep the wood pipe shiny, brush it occasionally with briar polish.
If the pipe is too hot to hold, the flame is already too hot. Lower the pipe and let the flame go out, then try again in a few more minutes.

Warning

Never use a metal pipe to smoke tobacco. Metal pipes do look unique and attractive, but remember, metal is a conductor of heat. You can scald if you use a metal pipe.
Smoking pipes can make your tongue like a puncture, your tongue becomes irritated. It's not clear why, but smoking at low temperatures (less dense, smoked too slowly) can help, as it can change tobacco. Experienced smokers avoid this because their technique is perfect.
The meerschaum pipes are excellent (and valuable). Ask an experienced meerschaum smoker for advice.
Just like cigarette smoking, pipe smoking is at risk of developing mouth and throat cancer. When inhaled, it can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.