subject: Tips To Help You Light Your Pipe Successfully [print this page] Before you can enjoy smoking that pipe, you'll need to learn how to light it properly. Of course, one of the most enjoyable aspects of pipe smoking is the type of tobacco that you choose, but quite a few people actually find the entire process relaxing and enjoyable. That said, you will need to take several steps prior to lighting up that pipe. What are they?
The right tools are essential to lighting your pipe. In addition to a pipe tamper, cleaner and aerator, you'll need a quality lighter. You should choose to make use of a butane lighter, such as lighters with a cigar cutter, or another form of lighter. However, make sure that such a dual flame configuration offers a traditional flame, as well as a torch. A torch flame can actually damage your bowl beyond repair. Now that you have your tools, it's time to start. Lay your tobacco out and remove any clumps from it. You should then pack your bowl, loosely.
Next, you will need to pack the bowl. Do this with small pinches of loose tobacco. Fill the bowl until the tobacco is just above the rim of the bowl. You'll need to tamp the tobacco now. However, don't pack it too tightly, as this will reduce your enjoyment and make smoking your pipe difficult. Take a test draw on the pipe stem and determine if air moves easily through the bowl. If it does not, you'll need to start over again.
Once you have successfully packed your bowl, it's time to move on to the lighting process. This is different from lighting other tobacco products. You will actually need to light your pipe twice. The first, or false, lighting is accomplished by holding the flame of your lighter over the bowl and gently inhaling. The flame will bend to touch the tobacco, but do not let it ignite. You just want it to smoke a bit. Now, take your tamper and tamp around the rim of the bowl once more, until the tobacco is at its original height once more.
Now you can move on to the real lighting. Hold the lighter above the tobacco once more and twist the lighter so that the flame contacts all the tobacco in the top layer. Draw gently on the pipe and make sure that the tobacco glows gently. It's important that you do not overheat the tobacco at this point, as this can make your pipe taste foul.
