Breaking In A New Wood Pipe
A new pipe requires proper breaking in to avoid damage. With normal smoking a layer of carbon gradually builds up in the tobacco chamber. This layer protects the briar against the heat of the burning tobacco like tire brick in a wood stove. Most pipes have a unique heat-resistant lining applied to the tobacco chamber to insulate the bowl. Without compromising the flavour of the tobacco, this aids in protecting the pipe against break-in burnout until a sufficient layer of carbon can be established.
We Suggest The Following Breaking-In Methods For All Wood Pipes
Before first filling your new pipe, apply a thin layer of honey to the entire tobacco chamber with your fingers. It's high sugar content will hasten the desired build-up of carbon.
Some recommend filling your pipe half-full for the first few smokes to start building the cake forming to the bottom of the bowl. Filling the pipe to the top will work just the same, as long as it is smoked gently as possible.
Pay close attention to avoid overheating your pipe (see "smoking" below)
Filling
A bowl of tobacco that burns evenly without going out can only be obtained by careful packing. Pack the tobacco into the bowl in thirds. Fill the bowl to the top a pinch at a time, then gently press it down in the bottom third, leaving plenty of spring in the tobacco. Repeat this procedure pressing more firmly in the upper two thirds of the bowl. There should be some spring left when the bowl is full. The draw should be consistent and steady. If the tobacco is not packed tightly enough, it will burn too quickly overheating the pipe and likely burning your tongue. Empty the bowl and repack it using a more firm pack. If the tobacco is packed too tightly, you will have a difficulty drawing on the pipe and keeping it lit. In this case, remove tobacco and refill.
Lighting
Carefully apply the flame in a circular motion over the whole surface of the tobacco while taking long slow puffs. Completely light the top portion of the tobacco being sure to keep the pipe upright. Tamp down the burning embers gently into the unburned portion of the tobacco.
At this point, re-lighting is necessary to get a thorough and even burn of your tobacco. If your pipe happens to extinguish, we suggest gently tamping down any ash before re-lighting.
Smoking
Smoke your pipe gently and evenly. Puffing too vigorously will burn your tongue and may cause damage to the bowl from overheating. If the bowl becomes too hot, let your pipe go out and cool off before re-lighting. If your pipe appears to be going out, place two fingers over the bowl while you draw. This will help localize the draft reviving the smoke. We recommend that the average smoker have a minimum of four pipes. Two to be used each day while the other two are resting.
We hope this blog was helpful and...
Happy Smokin'N'Tokin'!
Gord's Smoke Shop Ltd. - Red Deer, AB
(403)343-1588
info@gordssmokeshop.ca
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2 comments
Chris
Here are some facts why you should never coat a brand new pipe’s tobacco chamber with honey. Sandy, I hope you have the maturity and ability to learn and stop telling new pipe smokers to coat the tobacco chamber with honey.
While some older methods suggest using honey to help break in a new tobacco pipe, many modern pipe smokers advise against it because it can create problems that hinder the natural break-in process. The primary reasons not to put honey in a new pipe include creating a soft, flaky “false” cake, causing excessive moisture and tongue bite, and potentially hiding flaws in the wood.
rebornpipes
rebornpipes
+4
Here is why you should avoid putting honey in a new tobacco pipe:
Soft, False Cake Formation: Instead of fostering a hard, durable carbon layer (cake), honey often creates a soft, sugary layer. This false cake can flake off in chunks later, damaging the inner chamber and requiring more maintenance.
Excessive Moisture and “Gloop”: Honey introduces excessive moisture to the bowl. As the sugar burns, it can lead to a sticky, messy, and wet smoke, which is often termed “gloop”.
Hotter Smoke and Tongue Bite: The high sugar content in honey burns very hot, which can cause intense tongue bite and increase the temperature of the briar, negating the purpose of building a cake for protection.
Chris
I’ve been a pipe smoker now for 11 years. I bought my first three pipes from Gords.
After becoming a member of a pipe smokers forum and reading through the beginners question part of the forum I learned a lot.
One of the the things I found out was that contrary to Gord’s statement that MOST pipes come with a charcoal lining is incorrect. The only companies that follow this practice are Brigham and Peterson pipes.
It is totally unnecessary and does nothing to break in your pipe. It’s just a marketing gimmick.
But the worst thing you can possibly do to damage your pipe is to ‘PUT A THIN LAYER OF HONEY’ inside the tobacco chamber.
You’ve just ruined your pipe. The honey will carmalize inside the bowl and ruin the subtle nuances of the tobacco smoke and ghost the bowl.
Gord’s calls a briar pipe a ‘wood’ pipe!
Incredible! It’s briar. The word ‘wood’ makes me think of a spruce 2×4.
The original owner, aka Gord is long gone. The current owner doesn’t have a clue about real tobacco pipes.
Please, newbie pipe smokers, stay away from Gord’s pipe shop in Red Deer, Alberta.