The moment before the tobacco pipe is smoked is absolutely crucial to its success, because it makes it better.
For this very reason, we will look at how to load the tobacco pipe, seeing each step of this stage in detail.
How do you prepare tobacco for the tobacco pipe?
In order to properly load the tobacco pipe, it is essential to prepare the tobacco by dividing all those parts that have compacted, perhaps due to the moisture in the tobacco, and to eliminate or break up the small elements, which can disturb the smoke and are generally found in Kentucky-based tobaccos.
As the tobacco is prepared, you may notice how it increases in volume.
Our advice, at least for the first few smokes, is to be especially careful, considering that later the process will be almost automatic for you.
After loading the tobacco pipe several times, you will understand what the preferred degree of moisture is, but also how much to prepare the tobacco before or during the smoke.
Tobacco pipe's loading
Now, it's on to loading.
There are numerous ways to do this; in fact, everyone tends to have their own technique.
Ours is to insert the tobacco, once prepared, into the stove by dropping it, then letting it settle with taps on the stove, helping with your fingers.
The tobacco will settle very easily because of the initial preparation.
Next you apply a little pressure and then insert more of the tobacco.
Having done this, you accompany the tobacco inside the stove, using your thumb, which you go to lay on the rim (edge of the pipe) to begin pressing it.
This degree of pressure is limited by the thumb being blocked by the rim.
Finally, you take a dry draw to see how much air is coming in.
If it is too loose, keep pressing; if it is too tight, it is best to empty and load again with the help of the tamper.
While smoking, it can be helpful to use the tamper, because it will help you even out the tobacco with the brazier.
In fact, many newbies complain that, during smoking, the smoke "goes cold": this is because air begins to creep in between the brazier and the tobacco below, with the latter no longer in contact with the other part of the tobacco above.
What tobacco to start smoking a tobacco pipe?
It certainly depends on taste, considering that there are various types of pipe tobacco, but our advice is to start with an English Mixture, which is undoubtedly the best one to start with.
This is because it is a rather mild blend, perfect for the palates of newbies.
Be aware, however, that English Mixtures can have various interpretations, not a little different from each other.
Regardless, this is a perfect blend for afternoon smokes, not only for newbies, but also for the more experienced.
