How the hell do I do this?

[EdgeMan]

Anytime you puff away hard at the first and get tons of smoke you should probably be taking long slow puffs instead of quick hard puffs. Then it will not burn so hot. When it starts to get too hot( the test for this is putting the bowl against your cheek it should be luke warm or at least where it is not too hot to put against your cheek ) ... tamp it lightly. Also I use the three pack child - mother - father load method.

Just my two cents. Don't let your brair's burn too hot even if you have to relight many times. Best to slow down. The char is important and tamping is important.

Blow into the pipe ( lightly ) after running the pipe cleaner to get rid of gurgle.

[TravPSU]

I bought a pipe yesterday and could not keep the thing lit. I'll have to try the tips in this thread.

[cigarsarge]

Lots of useful info here...http://smokingpipetobacco.com/2008/1...-pipe-tobacco/

I learned to pack a proper bowl by watching the vids...By the way ditch the torch lighter. Use a soft flame.

[Eville]

Good info on tongue bite on that site. That's a problem that has been plaguing me for years. Thanks.

[TravPSU]

Lots of useful info here...http://smokingpipetobacco.com/2008/1...-pipe-tobacco/

I learned to pack a proper bowl by watching the vids...By the way ditch the torch lighter. Use a soft flame.

I watched those last night. Thank you for posting them.

[Devil Doc]

Is your pipe broken in, newb or are you trying to fight two battles at the same time? What kind of tobacco are you smoking? Some tobaccos are not newb friendly, Virginia flakes, for instance. Get yourself a Corn cob and a tobacco that's neophyte friendly, like Prince Albert. It won't impress your friends, but it will allow you to practice your technique, burns easy, won't bite and is wonderful for break-ins as it cakes really well. Oh, stay away from aromatics.

Doc.

[TravPSU]

I bought a briar pipe and the guy said it didn't need to be broken in. I don't know what tobacco I bought but I'm guessing its aromatic (they were labeled Vanilla, Champagne, Cappuccino and Nittany Nector).

[Maduro Man_WCP]

here is a trick i use and have taught it to friends with alot of succes...

befor you fill your pipe, draw on it to get an idea on how it draws empty. loose fill and lightly tamp untill the resistance is about what it feels like to drink water through a straw. repeat untill the bowl is almost to the top. do your char light, let it go out and relight. do NOT use a torch lighter, they are way to hot and you will damage your pipe. matches, zippos and bic lighters are the perfered means to light.

btw, i used to use my fingers to tamp but you'll get a more even pack if you use a pipe tool to do it. do not worry about relights, as you gain experiance you'll get the hang of things. hey, the 1st time you had sex you didn't have your partner screaming in joy did you? you have to work at it a little and soon, everything will fall in place.