Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Yes it can get moldy. But the white that you are seeing may be sugar crystals. If it is fuzzy then it is mold, if it looks more like sugar crystals then this is part of the aging process and is good.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Just like plume on a cigar I guess.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

I know its OK to put a pipe down and come back to it hours later with no ill effect.... but how about days?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

i've done it. didn't really improve the taste like a standard DGT would, was kinda stale and ashy.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

http://media.collegepublisher.com/me...s/zr985s32.jpg

You can live on it but it tastes like chit.

- Mick Dundee

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

It'll smoke but can't imagine how it will taste.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

I will say it depends. Some tobacco can hold, many can not.

The best i have found for the many day DGT would be Stonehaven. I found after 5 days it tasted better than fresh. Though that's just me.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Thanks for the replies guys...I dumped it and filled my bowl with some fresh Trout Stream. :pi

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

quick question guys.

i have a mac barren pipe, with some pipe cleaners that came wiht it.

seems the pipe cleaners are a little big and i have a really hard time getting them in to clean it properly.

just using the wrong size pipe cleaner or am i doing something stupid?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

If using a pipe cleaner with stem out:
It could be that the cleaners are a little too fluffy or that the pipes needs to be "opened up" a little. I usually use a 5/32 drill bit to accomplish this right down into the shank and draft hole, just be careful.

If using a pipe cleaner with stem in:
Is the pipe bent or straight because it could also be that the construction of the pipe makes passing a cleaner tough in which case you have to get creative in your methods.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

i've got some cleaners that i can't get into my pipes even with the most open of draw.
may just need to get skinnier cleaners.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

thanks curly, i dont feel so dumb now

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

there are a # of different kinds of cleaners. i have some that are really nice, almost like a fluffy "sham-wow", but they're so damn thick, can't get them into any pipes at all (and they leave a lot of fuzz).
i have some really skinny ones, those are good on more mass produced pipes with narrower draught holes (or pipes that it's tricky to get the cleaner to pass all the way through).
and then the in-between size, that tapers from thick to thin... i can only use those on my larger draught holed pipes.

the bristle bit cleaners are more for a "cleaning", IMO. i don't run them through until it's time to do a thorough cleaning. the fluffy ones are good enough to get all the bits and juices out of the stem and ash out of the bowl when i'm done. also, the thin ones are easier to get any gurgle/condensation building up in the stem while smoking.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

The (BJ Long, my usual) bags of pipe cleaners look the same but they're not. There are tapered ones, poofy ones, bristled and skinny ones. Look for the Longs 100-count for skinniest; the 60-count are much poofier.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

I'm about to give the pipe smoking a try after my last experience about 22 years ago. I know all the stuff to get but I'm concerned about the tobacco to try. I saw the reccommended Carters from the drug store and will give that a shot. But do different tobaccos have different "body" and "strength"? I'm probably gonna stay away from aromatics but what are some good one's to try for someone who likes relatively strong cigars? Or is pipe smoking just a completely different kind of thing? Thanks. :pi

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Different pipe tobacco do have different strengths and such. The most general classification is aromatic and non aromatic. This is one of the best sites I've found for explaining tobacco.
http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze...e/tobacco.html

And this site is also a great rating site.
http://tobaccoreviews.com/

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

I was reading a bit from The Pipe Smoker's Ephemeris and wondered if any of you old timers could answer a question. The articles I have come across, from 20+ years ago all indicate that Orientals are Aromatic tobaccos and what we now call Aromatics were referred to as Flavored or Topped tobaccos. Anyone remember when this changed or why?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

If your going to try some Carter Hall, you might as well try a little Prince albert, I Like it alot...

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Does he come in a can?



:D :pi


I actually went a bit overboard and bought about a pound of different tobaccos from Smokers Haven. :D Got some accessories as well. At least I have a bunch of smoke shop matches to burn through. Now I just need a pipe. Gonna try and get a corncob for Friday until I get a chance to see groogs.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

The dictionary definition of "Aromatic"

1. 1 of, relating to, or having aroma: a. a fragrant b. b having a strong smell c. c having a distinctive quality
2. 2 of an organic compound characterized by increased chemical stability resulting from the delocalization of electrons in a ring system (as benzene) containing usually multiple conjugated double bonds compare alicyclic aliphatic - Synonym - see odorous

The term aromatic does not necessarily mean smells good it just means it smells or has an aroma. Any tobacco is aromatic no matter what is done to it. In the pipe world Aromatic seems to generally mean "smells sweet," or smells like it is flavored. It's oversimplification of the word but for our purposes it seems to work.

As for the root of your question I can't exactly explain why or when the use of the term changed but I would think that the above may have some thing to do with it.

Of course I could be completely wrong. :r :rolleyes:

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Here read ye the words of JohnnyFlake (as yet an unofficial Old Fart):

"I do recall conversations, about this topic, many years ago. I still have about 20 issues of the Pipe Smoker's Ephemeris and I was skimming through them this morning to see if I could find anything on this topic. I could not!

I do recall that, many years ago, the Oriental tobacco from the Eastern Mediterranean Countries, especially Turkey and Greece, were called Natural Aromatics. Many use to call the Syrian and Cyprian Latakia Tobaccos "Natural Aromatics". I believe the Key Word here is "Natural". The aromatic blends, of today, were always referred to as cased tobaccos years ago. They were never called aromatics back then.

I don't really know when the transition of Cased Tobaccos being called Aromatics actually occurred, but I suspect that is was a slow process of evolution, that probably stared in the 1960's.

I hope this helps a little."

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

That's a lot good information. Thanks.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

I believe IHT also has some thoughts on African leaf with natural (aromatic) flavors or qualities that some might characterize as "soapy". Perhaps he will add more on this.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Are the pipe stems universal? Say I wanted to change a straight pipe stem to something different..is that possible?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Maybe with corncob pipes and amongst some lines of production pipes (don't know for sure about that).

Custom vulcanite, ebonite and lucite stems are offered by many pipemakes and pipe repair guys. They're mostly under $20. Some specialize in making perfect reproductions of "brand identification" stamps, dots, imprints, etc. There are more people than Dunhill who can stick a white dot on a black stem.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

thx..

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

OK, I just finished a NST with Slow Triathlete (thanks again!) and now I have a couple of questions...

1) Storage - can I store different pipe tobacco together? I don't have any fancy jars so I was going to use an old herf-a-dor and just leave them in their bags...will that mess up the flavors?

2) Humidity - I have seen posts regarding re-humidifying dry tobacco, but should I keep some humidity control in the container with them, like cigars?

3) Aging - does pipe tobacco age (get better, change profile, etc.) like a cigar?

I bow to your wisdom and thank the mighty fog's of the pipe in advance :D

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

1) IF they are in baggies right next to or on top of each other the flavor profiles may change a bit depending on how long they are in such proximity. If you have a say a straight virginia lying under an english or balkan the Virginia may carry some undertones of that blend. If they are fairly well separted I think you should be fine.

2) You do not need to and shouldn't keep a humidity control (like a humidity disk, I am assuming) with them. Pipe tobacco should be kept at much much lower humidity levels than a cigar. If you forget about a bag or tin for a few months and find that it has dried to a crisp then there are ways to re-hydrate it and bring it back close to normal.

3) Pipe tobacco does age very well in fact. There are slightly contrasting opinions on this matter however. Some distinguished tobacco blenders feel that a little air is necessary to facilitate aging. However there are many who believe that the oxygen could cause mold to grow rendering the tobacco un-smokeable. My opinion is that when I will age tobacco that is already out of the tin I will store in a mason jar that is air sealed but leave a gap from the lid to the tobacco that way there is a bit of air but when the tobacco eats up that oxygen it will start the aging process. (this last part is my own opinion I follow from reading articles on the matter)

this is a very good website that may help your understanding.
http://agingfaq.nocturne.org/

Cheers and happy puffing on that new tobacco.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Nick, thanks for the info! Time to find some storage devices for my baccy, looks like :D

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

You may want to PM Big D KC. I know he just got done storing away about 10lbs. of baccy with mason jars and a food saver. He did a lot of research and should be able to give you some pointers.

However those samples may not be worth it to jar up, they should stay fresh in the bag for quite some time.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Grab you a case (12) of half pint kerr canning jars for about $10 or so at your local grocery store. Take em home clean them up real good, drop your samples in them and just be sure to screw the lids down tight after dipping into them each time for a smoke! Should last pretty much indefinitely for the most part. (well maybe only a few years of opening & closing the jars multiple times a day!) Be sure to label them!

I've learned the canning jars are wonderful storage devices. The canning jars will keep your samples pretty much exactly like they were the day you put them in until they are gone. No need for a vacuum sealer at this stage! Open, Close, Enjoy!

;)

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

My method was similar for long term storage:
1. Buy small cooler that could hold a 12 pk
2. Buy tons of tins of tobacco
3. fill cooler
4. Vac seal cooler
5. place cooler somewhere where I'll never find it ;)
6. wait a few decades
7. smoke

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Most excellent, thanks!

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Wouldn't this be redundant since the tins are already vac sealed?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for overkill. I just don't want people thinking they wont age properly without vac sealing the cooler. :)

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

You can't be too careful when waiting a few decades.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Overkill, perhaps for short term storage but for longterm you need to better stabilize the aging space and two levels of vaccum is just layers of protection. Ask me how many tins I've found from years ago that are unsealed due to time...:tu

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Old Farts:

Is there a way to increase the flavor of pipe tobaccos? I want to get into pipe smoking, because I love the tradition, the ritual of preparing and keeping up a pipe, and particularly the feel of the actual smoking of it, but I've noticed that I can't really taste it. I went to the B&M yesterday because it's Pipe Week and they had a bunch of tobaccos for sample, and I must have gone through dozens, both tinned and house blends. It tastes like water, with a hint of general flavor on the nose exhale. From pure Virginia aromatic to the heftiest perique and latakia blends (Irish Flake was supposed to be pretty...robust...and it definitely was, but still didn't taste).

I found just three which I liked (all house blends, believe it or not - "Proper English," "Night Cap" and "Champagne"), but they still aren't all that flavorful. They just happened to taste more at all than the rest. I got the Night Cap and I enjoy the flavor a lot, but I wish there was just more of it. Do I need to quit cigars for a bit before the flavors of the gentler pipe tobaccos "pop?" Thanks guys.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Do you mean a cooler big enough for a case of beer, or a case of jars?

Love that method though! :D

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

You have to temper your pallate to the taste of pipe tobacco. When first starting out, you won't taste much at all. Smoke one bowl a day, and at about week 3 or 4, you'll realize you taste the tobacco like you never have before.

So, time and patience. The very reasons why we smoke a pipe in the first place.

WWhermit
:pi:

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Ba da bing, above. Smoke slowly, too - fast puffers are hot-tobacco puffers and hot tobacco evaporates flavor.

Your picks were very good, flavorwise, IMO.

If all else fails and you just can't find the zing - and I mean ALL ELSE - try some 1792. If you can't taste that stuff, see a neurologist for a tongue and brain scan.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Awesome, thanks! I shouldn't have a problem smoking a bowl a day, haha. I've been doing that anyway, because I'm breaking in my new Peterson and I love it.

Patience I can do - I can wait for a reward.

I've been smoking slowly I think; I don't think that's my problem. I learned that lesson already, haha.

Mister Moo - who makes 1792? Sounds like something I want to try :D

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

http://tobaccoreviews.com/blend_deta...PHA=1&TID=1004

Personally, I love the stuff. I makes a lot of people want to give up pipe smoking, though.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Also try this one.
http://tobaccoreviews.com/blend_deta...PHA=B&TID=1008
or this
http://tobaccoreviews.com/blend_deta...PHA=S&TID=1837

they are rope style tobacco's but have tons of flavor and really robust. If you do get some ropes post again for advice on how to prepare it to smoke; they aren't that hard.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

You tried dozens in one day? No wonder you cannot taste anything, your taste buds are fried.

Seriously. How can you expect to taste anything if your they are so over-taxed.

When I smoke more than 5 bowls in a day, I don't taste much.

I have found that the best flavors for me appear when I haven't had a smoke in a couple days and I sit back and relax - not try and taste things - just sitting back and contemplating life.

Give your palate a chance to recoup and then try again.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

If I smoke a cigar even earlier in the afternoon and then try a pipe in the evening I find the pipe to have little flavor. So I have chosen either one or the other for a day. Is this common? Does anybody mix the two successfully. Is it because I am still very new to pipes?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

@Mister Moo
Ah, thanks. I'll look for it!

@Nick
I'll look for those, too - they sound pretty awesome. Full-flavored is what I'm looking for; I could care less about the nic kick. I don't "know" how to smoke rope, but wouldn't you just slice off some "coins" and rub them like a flake?

@RevSmoke
Haha, no. I didn't smoke dozens of bowls. I took a little pinch and smoked it for a minute, then dumped it.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Pretty much you are a smart cookie.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

That's no way to taste a tobacco, you don't give it enough time to develop. Seriously!

Fill a pipe and smoke it. But, don't overtax your tongue or your taste buds. Try new blends on a fresh palate - just like tasting wines. If you smoke more than one blend, start with mild (less flavorful - burleys or VA) and work your way to more flavorful.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fa
 

Total Newbie piper question... Bear with me :D

What is the approximate humidity that tobacco should be kept at?

A buddy gave me a pipe and some tobacco and I tried it for the 1st time at a herf tonight.

The general consensus was that the tobacco was too dry.

The bright side is that the wife kind of like the smell :D

cheers,
Rudy