How to run-in the tobacco pipe

Tobacco pipe run-in takes place during the first few smokes after the tobacco pipe is purchased.

This is a frequent practice in the world of slow smoking, but, in our opinion, not a fundamental one.

Not surprisingly, there are many smokers, even experienced ones, who do not bother to run-in the tobacco pipe, so it is in no way an obligatory step.

In fact, even letting the tobacco pipe rest for a longer time than usual is sufficient.

Run-in Tobacco Pipe: What it is

A run-in tobacco pipe is a tobacco pipe that has undergone the run-in process, presenting a thin charcoal crust.

The purpose of this practice is precisely to encourage proper formation of the charcoal crust at the bottom of the stove, which is useful in protecting the briar from burning.

In addition to this, roasting the tobacco pipe also means speeding up the process that causes the briar to affect the smoke more.

This does not detract, however, from the fact that during run-in it will be easy for the tobacco pipe to respond differently as it goes along, sometimes being "deaf," thus not affecting the tobacco, sometimes the opposite.

By doing so, one avoids stressing the tobacco pipe during run-in.

How to run-in a tobacco pipe

Running-in a tobacco pipe consists of loading the tobacco pipe to 50%-60% of the burner in the first few smokes.

The number of smokes in which to have this expediency varies, but usually, in our experience and listening to that of customers, it is between 5 and 10 smokes.

In this way, you can encourage the formation of the charcoal crust at the bottom of the stove.

In addition to reducing the amount of tobacco to be loaded, it is useful to let the tobacco pipe rest for a longer time than usual, at least in the first few smokes.

Another practice used in break-in is to pass a veil of honey inside the stove, as is always done in Ser Jacopo brand pipes.

In fact, honey, being a sugary substance, facilitates the formation of the charcoal crust.

How to run-in a meerschaum pipe

Unlike the run-in of a briar pipe, which many smokers do not practice, different care must be taken with meerschaum pipes.

The run-in of meerschaum pipes is called culottage and allows you to considerably affect the coloring of the tobacco pipes.

In fact, meerschaum pipes, with smoking, slowly tend to yellow, starting with the blowpipe.

Thanks to culottage, it is possible to fade this yellowing, making it more homogeneous with the rest of the tobacco pipe.

Otherwise, if you stress the tobacco pipe, the quill will turn a deep yellow, which will be in stark contrast to the stove, which is white in color.

Culottage consists of a more pronounced run-in of the tobacco pipe, with even longer rest times and smaller charges.

For meerschaum pipes, in fact, one should almost speak of continuous run-in, if one intends to keep the coloration of the tobacco pipe uniform.

Tobacco pipe run-in: Which tobacco to use?

Many smokers, in tobacco pipe run-in, tend to use specific tobaccos, different from those they usually smoke.

Our advice, however, is to indulge your own tastes, otherwise you only risk losing the pleasure of smoking.

Among the tobaccos that promote the formation of the charcoal crust are English Mixtures and Kentucky-based ones, such as Trinciato Forte and Comune.

Both, although they form the crust more slowly, the crust is harder and stronger.

In contrast, by using aromatic tobaccos for run-in, the rind will develop faster, but, due to its sugary properties, this will result softer.

Why buy a run-in tobacco pipe?

By buying a run-in, reconditioned tobacco pipe, you will not have to worry about subjecting it to run-in practices.

In addition to this, you will have the opportunity to have a tobacco pipe of some value, but at a much lower cost.