The Right Way to Light a Pipe
Jul 8th, 2009 Posted in lifestyle | no comment »A pipe lighter gives some information as to the correct way to light a pipe. Most of these lighters contains some attachments which are used in the tamping and cleaning process. Properly packing and cleaning the pipe before and after use is vital to the best smoking experience.
The pipe lighter will have a wide hole in the screen instead of the several small holes characteristic of cigarette lighters. This allows the flame to be drawn into the pipe easily. Ideally, one shouldnt hold the pipe lighter perpendicular to the tobacco but, rather, at a slight angle. The flame can be easily drawn down into the bowl by lightly puffing until the tobacco reaches a temperature sufficient to sustain combustion but which is not so hot that it results in a harsh smoke.
Some individuals are sensitive to the taste of lighter fluid in the first few puffs. While many smokers don’t notice it at all, some of the higher-end lighter fluids advertise that they impart no flavor to the smoke during the lighting process. If one happens to detect a bit of fuel taste while lighting the pipe, switching fluid brands will likely alleviate this problem. Again, this is a matter of personal preference. Fuel should always be of a high quality simply to preserve the lighter and to ensure a reliable light.
Lighting the pipe is much different than is lighting a cigar or a cigarette. First, one must eliminate any moisture from the tobacco. Hold the flame above the tobacco and draw it down by puffing lightly. Get the tobacco smoking but don’t light it. The tobacco will puff up and take on a shaggy appearance. Tamp it back into the bowl and level it out again.
The first lighting is to eliminate any moisture. Don’t set the tobacco burning, just puff a few times until the tobacco fluffs up. After the bowl is tamped down again and tested for an easy draw, hold the lighter above the tobacco and puff a few times until the tobacco achieves a nice, cool burn. When the pipe is properly-lit, the tobacco can burn for a long time and the smoke will be cool and mellow. Fluid-filled lighters can provide years of service and many of them come with attachments specifically for tamping and cleaning the pipe.
