Learning how to smoke a tobacco pipe properly is not that complicated. But there are a few frequent pitfalls for those new to pipe smoking.
For new pipe smokers, their main complaint is not knowing how to correctly pack a pipe and while this may not seem too worrying it can actually be detrimental to the smoking experience. Packing your pipe incorrectly can result in either dottle left over at the end of the smoke, or a hot smoke, tongue bite or a tobacco pipe that is hard to draw on.
As the leading supplier of high quality tobacco pipes – including iconic brands such as Dunhill pipes, Savinelli, Peterson, Erik Nørding and many more – for customers all over the world, our team at GQ Tobaccos is well versed in packing pipes the right way.
Read on to see our step-by-step guide to show you how to get the most out of your pipe.
Pipe smoking equipment
Before you get started packing your pipe, you’ll want to check you have the correct materials and tools. You’ll need:
- Pipe
- Pipe tobacco
- Something to tamp (press down) the tobacco with
- A lighter or something to ignite the tobacco
- Pipe cleaners
While beginner pipe smokers may not yet know the top tobaccos or tools to perfect the pipe smoking experience, we do recommend investing in quality. A quality pipe and pipe tobacco will make all of the difference when you come to smoking.
The Packing Procedure for Tobacco Pipes
While there are a number of ways to pack a pipe with tobacco, we would recommend the following an 11 step method.
Step 1: Preparing your pipe
First, you will need to make sure your pipe is free of obstructions and any ash leftover from previous smokes. Use a pipe cleaner through the stem, dump out any dottle then gently blow through the stem to expel any leftover ash. It is best to do this task over a bin or a large ashtray, pointing the bowl of the pipe upside down to avoid getting dottle and ash in your face.
Step 2: Preparing your tobacco
Now it is time to prepare the tobacco for smoking. Start by removing a small amount of tobacco from your container and lay it out on a flat surface. Gently pick apart any clumps in the tobacco and make note of the tobacco's moisture content. If it has become too moist, you will need to let it sit out for a few minutes to dry out. When you come back to it, the tobacco should have dried just a bit which makes it easier to deal with.
Step 3: Filling your pipe
Lightly fill your pipe with tobacco by trickling strands into the bowl of the pipe until it is filled to the top. Also, resist the urge to push the tobacco down using your thumb and do not pinch the loose tobacco as this will create more of the clumps you were just trying to get rid of.
Step 4: Tamp and press the tobacco
Take your tamper or pipe nail and gently compress the tobacco. For bowls with straight sides, you will need to tamp gently until the tobacco half fills the bowl. Pipes with tapered bowls; you should aim to have two thirds full. The tobacco in the bowl needs to have a springy and soft consistency.
Step 5: Test the draw
Put the tobacco pipe to your lips and take a test draw and if there is any resistance, dump out the tobacco and start again.
Step 6: Fill the pipe
Now lightly fill the bowl of your pipe again. Trickle loose strands of tobacco into the bowl of your pipe until it is full.
Step 7: Tamp and press once again
Once again tamp the tobacco down gently using your tamp. For straight-sided bowls, the pipe should be up to three-quarters full and for tampered bowls, the pipe needs to five-eighths full. To achieve this level of tobacco you will need to tamp with slightly more force than the first time around. Your tobacco will now feel springy in the bowl.
Step 8: A second test draw
Put the pipe to your lips for a test draw. You could have a small amount of resistance, but if you have any issue drawing on the pipe, dump out the tobacco and start the process again.
Step 9: Topping off the tobacco
Trickle more tobacco into your pipe, filling it until the small mound of tobacco protrudes above the rim of the bowl. Return the leftover tobacco to your container for future use.
Step 10: Final tamp
Using your tamp once again, pack the tobacco down until it is even with the top of the bowl. More pressure will be required than the first two tamping processes, but ensure you don't overdo it. Your tobacco should still feel springy, only slightly less than the previous tamp.
Step 11: Final test draw
Put the tobacco pipe to your lips and take another test draw. This time there should be minimal resistance and if there is more you will need to dump out the tobacco and start again.
By following these steps you should have a tobacco pipe that is properly packed and ready to be lit and smoked.
Need more help with pipes and pipe tobaccos?
If you are looking for the widest range of Dunhill pipes, please do visit GQ Tobaccos’ online store today. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about any of our products.