Pipe smoking is one of the oldest forms of tobacco use and is also a current pastime, often overlooked by modern smokers. Do you want to start smoking a pipe? If so, do it because you are really interested in trying a new experience, not because you believe the pipe is a healthy alternative to cigarettes: in fact, the health risks are the same.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Gathering the Needed
Step 1. Choose your pipe
The pipe allows each smoker to enjoy tobacco in their own way and much of the pleasure of smoking it comes from this. Go to the tobacconist's and take your time to choose the pipe that's right for you. Evaluate the aesthetic appearance and the weight (generally the lighter pipes are more manageable). If you are a beginner, ask the shopkeeper for advice.
- Even a nice wooden pipe can hide imperfections (which it probably has, if it's cheap). If you don't want to spend a lot, buy a corncob pipe, you will run less risk.
- A metal filter inside the mouthpiece can absorb moisture, altering the taste of the smoke. Some smokers don't mind this. If the filter is removable, you can take it off if you change your way of smoking.
Step 2. Evaluate if there are any mechanical imperfections
An inefficient pipe can considerably spoil the smoke. Before purchasing, carefully evaluate the following aspects:
- Avoid pipes with the walls of the stove thinner than 6 mm (about the thickness of a pencil). The base of the pipe should be equally thick. To measure it, put a straight pipe cleaner in the combustion chamber, then pinch it at the top of the stove, finally, compare the measurement you took with the height of the outer wall.
- Stick a pipe cleaner into the mouthpiece. It should slide easily and emerge at the base of the combustion chamber.
- If the pipe is painted with a thick layer of paint, its external surface may peel or fill with bubbles due to frequent use.
Step 3. Get the necessary accessories
A pipe alone will not be enough to start smoking. By going to a pipe shop you can get everything you need and avoid unnecessary hassle. You will need:
- A lighter or matches. Plastic gas lighters are cheap and popular, but some smokers don't like the flavor that the flame gives to tobacco. Pipe lighters are available at different prices, but it would be best to start with a good supply of wooden matches. You will be able to purchase a pipe lighter later.
- Pipe cleaners to keep the pipe clean and fully functional.
- A tobacco press. This accessory is used to press the tobacco into the stove.
Step 4. Choose your pipe tobacco
Entering a tobacconist's can be disarming the first few times. Cypriot Latakia? Dutch Cavendish? Here is a short lesson on the various types of tobacco, it will certainly help you:
- Flavored tobaccos (also called "American"). They have particular aromas that are added during processing. Due to their sweet and mild flavor, they are often preferred by novice smokers.
- Unflavoured tobaccos. They are pure tobaccos with a strong and lively flavor. "English style tobaccos" are non-aromatic tobaccos that include Latakia, a variety with a very strong flavor.
- The tobaccos called "Cavendish" are processed following a particular procedure, which makes them sweeter and lighter.
- If possible, buy two or three trial packs to figure out which type of tobacco you prefer.
Step 5. Choose the type of cut
Pipe tobacco is sold in different shapes and sizes. There are various types of cuts and different processes. These are the most suitable types for beginners:
- Ribbon cutting. The leaves are cut into long and fine strips that can be inserted directly into the pipe.
- Flake cut. The tobacco, after being pressed, is cut into bars or broken into flakes. Before inserting it into the pipe, it must be broken up with your fingers.
Part 2 of 3: Smoking
Step 1. Give yourself 20-40 minutes of peace of mind
Smoking a pipe is a pleasant activity. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and you won't disturb others with your smoke.
If you are about to smoke from a new briar pipe, smoke inside, away from drafts. The slightest gust of wind can cause the pipe to heat up and damage it. Taking this precaution is not necessary with other types of pipes, such as corn cob
Step 2. Keep a glass of water close at hand
Drinking prevents the mouth and throat from drying out and prevents inflammation of the tongue. Some people like to have a cup of tea or coffee while smoking, but wait to be more practical, over time you will learn which flavors work best with certain types of tobacco.
Drinking alcohol is not recommended because it increases the risk of getting cancer
Step 3. Clean the pipe
Before each smoke, slide a pipe cleaner inside the mouthpiece and remove the leftover ash by beating the stove against a soft surface.
Step 4. Fill the pipe in three steps
To learn how to fill a pipe, you need a little practice. This is an important step and has a big impact on the quality of the smoke. The tobacco must not be too pressed, it must let the air pass and be elastic to the touch. Ask an experienced smoker for advice or follow these tips:
- Put a pinch of tobacco in the combustion chamber. Press it lightly or don't press it at all. Make sure that the air passes freely between the leaves.
- Add a little more tobacco and gently press it until it is half full.
- Add a final pinch of tobacco and press with a little more firmness until there is a space of 0.6 mm between the surface of the tobacco and the top of the stove.
- Note: the first few times you light a briar pipe, it tends to fill it to ⅓ or ½ of what was previously described. In this way, a layer of ash is formed that protects the pipe. Not all pipe smokers are in favor of this type of approach.
Step 5. Light your pipe with a match or pipe lighter
If you use a match, wait for the sulfur to burn for a few seconds to prevent the first hit from having a bad taste. Move the flame over the surface of the tobacco and inhale from the mouthpiece giving long and regular puffs. If the pipe goes out immediately, which is quite common, lightly squeeze the tobacco and re-ignite using the same process.
Step 6. When you smoke, take short, occasional puffs
Many pipe smokers take their puffs by gently sucking in from the mouthpiece or by moving the tongue back inside the palate. Beginners and cigarette smokers inhale the smoke, but it is best to keep the smoke in the mouth without it going into the lungs. Hold the pipe head in your hand and take a few puffs from time to time to keep the pipe alight. Be careful not to get too hot.
- Some pipe smokers like to inhale the smoke to feel the nicotine effect more. Pipe tobacco smoke is much stronger than cigarette smoke. If you want to inhale it, limit yourself to a couple of short puffs per pipe.
- Not inhaling limits the risk of contracting cancer, a risk that still exists when smoking a pipe.
Step 7. Press and turn on again when needed
If the pipe goes out, press the tobacco and relight it. The ash surface that forms on the tobacco is beneficial and should not be removed, unless it makes it difficult to relight the pipe. When this happens, tap the pipe against your hand or a cork beater (any soft object is fine).
Part 3 of 3: After the smoke
Step 1. Let the pipe cool
After smoking, wait for the pipe to cool. If you haven't smoked it all, press the tobacco to put it out.
Never disassemble the pipe when it is hot, the mouthpiece could break
Step 2. Take care of stove maintenance
There are two ways to take care of the stove. The method to follow depends on the type of pipe:
- Briar pipes need an ash residue (the combustion deposit) to protect the wood. Cover the mouth of the stove and shake the head of the pipe to make sure that the ash detaches and is distributed inside the stove. Swipe your finger over the walls of the combustion chamber and let out the remnants of ash.
- As for other pipes, most smokers prefer to keep them perfectly clean. Shake the head of the pipe to remove the ash, then use a handkerchief or a pipe cleaner to clean the inside of the combustion chamber (the foam pipes, for example, must not remain with too much ash inside).
Step 3. Clean the mouthpiece and torch
Detach the mouthpiece and stick a pipe cleaner into it to remove moisture and other residues. Do the same thing with the torch, reaching up to the combustion chamber.
Step 4. Slide a pipe cleaner inside the mouthpiece and stove
Detach the mouthpiece and slightly moisten a brush (you can use saliva), then slide the brush inside the torch to the combustion chamber (at the end of the procedure, you should see the base of the combustion chamber by looking through the torch). Repeat the process a few times, occasionally blowing through the torch to remove the ash residue.
Step 5. Let the pipe sit for a day or two
This will allow the moisture inside to evaporate, favoring the draft.
- If you want to smoke more often, add another pipe to your collection.
- You can leave a pipe cleaner in the pipe to absorb moisture.
Step 6. After a few smokes, use a little alcohol to clean the pipe
A pipe cleaner or cotton swab dipped in alcohol will remove residue that blocks the draft or gives the smoke a bad taste. After using alcohol, use a clean brush to remove moisture. Some smokers repeat this process after each smoke, others don't care at all. If you get into the habit of cleaning your pipe with alcohol, ask an experienced smoker to help you understand when the pipe is really dirty.
Advice
- It is vital to be patient and take it slow. Often smoking a pipe is not pleasant until you learn how to load it, press it, light it and smoke it at the right pace. It takes time to find out which are your favorite tobacco blends and the pipes that best suit your tastes.
- Tobacco is packaged according to the level of humidity it contains. The choice of tobacco depends on your personal preferences. Sometimes a very moist tobacco becomes more pleasant if left to dry slightly in the air.
- Ask and seek advice. You can find an infinite number of sites, forums and a large number of experienced people online who can help you learn more about this wonderful hobby.
- To keep your briar pipe shiny, rub it with a suitable polish from time to time.
- If the pipe gets too hot to hold, put it down and let it cool for a few minutes.
Warnings
- Never use a metal pipe to smoke tobacco. Such a pipe may sound interesting, but remember that metal conducts heat and you could get burned by smoking such a pipe.
- Smoking a pipe can make your tongue pinch or irritate it. The causes are unclear, but smoking at lower temperatures (pressing the tobacco less or giving less frequent puffs) can help prevent the problem. Changing the type of tobacco can also help. Experienced smokers know effective techniques to prevent the tongue from pinching.
- Foam pipes are as expensive as they are delicate. Ask an experienced smoker for advice if you want to buy such a pipe.
- Like cigarettes, pipe smoking can cause mouth and throat cancer. If smoke is inhaled, the lungs are also at risk.
