Pipe Newb Questions

IMHO

Originally Posted by Munt

1. when I have the bowl lit how much of the surface should be burning at one time. For me please think of looking down the bowl as the top of a cigar. Should the whole thing be lit or what percentage should be lit.

Depends on how you pack the pipe & the shape of the bowl. Even using the Frank method, sometimes the cherry sits right in the middle and burns straight down leaving a shell of tobacco. Not ideal.

Originally Posted by Munt

2. How much smoke should be coming from the bowl when I'm not puffing. Should there be a steady stream or just a bit or none at all.

Again it depends on how it is packed and the moisture content of the tobacco. If it smokes heavily at rest then investigate a different packing method or try a slightly less dry tobacco.

Originally Posted by Munt

3. Lastly, when puffing should the draw be like air or should there be some resistance? I've read the "Sucking through a straw" but that's not a lot of resistance.
Munt!

Again it depends on how you pack the pipe. The draw should like a good cigar, with some slight resistance but not so loose that it burns hot.

Try the Frank Method, a.k.a. the German, or the Anti-Gravity Method. Many good youtube videos on the subject.