Filling Your Pipe - 3 Step filling

There are a hand full of ways or methods to best pack a pipe, in the end the pipe smoker will make it his own.

This 1st method is for beginners, its known as the 3 step. It assures a good draw, which is ultimately what a pipe smoker is looking for

In filling a pipe, the object is to pack the pipe as tightly as possible while still having it draw freely.

1. This is accomplished by packing the first pinch (a small one) very lightly,
2. the second pinch (a little larger), a little more firmly
3. the third pinch (similar to the second) is pressed down firmly (do not sock it in).

The reason for this is that when you tamp the second pinch, you are re-tamping the first one. The object is to have the pipe uniformly and firmly packed from top to bottom. Most tobaccos, and particularly the longer cuts, uncurl and loosen when the pipe is first lit.

It is therefore necessary to light the pipe, then tamp it and re-light. As the pipe is smoked down, pour out any loose ash and re-tamp if required. When you are ready to put a pipe aside, knock it out (gently mind you), run a pipe cleaner through it, and stand it stem up in a pipe rack. Do not leave a pipe cleaner in it. This interferes with, rather than helps the drying process. Incidentally, when removing the stem from a pipe, always pretend that it has a fine thread and unscrew it; then screw it back in. Wiggling or tugging the bit out will result in a loose stem.

As you smoke your pipe, carbon will develop. When the carbon exceeds I mm (about the thickness of a dime), ream it to leave. 1mm. Carbon is not something where “if a little bit is good, more is better”. Excessive carbon will crack a pipe, make it smoke hotter and make it hard to knock out. Remove it with a proper reamer to avoid damaging the pipe. If you break a pipe which you like, it is always worth repairing. New stems are inexpensive and even a cracked or broken shank can be repaired.
Pipe smoking, like all the finer things in life such as Scotch, Champagne, Caviar and Classical music, is an acquired taste. It must be learned, but like all the finer things it is rewarding and well worth learning. Good luck, and happy and successful pipe smoking.