Part 3: Instructions For Use

(originally posted by The Mad Professor on CigarGeeks forum on 10-3-2011, modified for audience)
Now that you got a pipe, tobacco, tamper, pipe cleaners, and matches, you need to know what to do with it all: (if you don't have these yet read my first two posts!)

Instructions for use -
• Push a wad of tobacco into the bowl, do not pack too hard. The draw should be easy, not encumbered. You can use the tamper to pack it harder if needed later.

• Lighting will take several matches. Light evenly across the bowl. Relight as necessary, it will go out.

• Use the tamper to help the ember burn into the tobacco, with very slight pressure. Drawing while tamping helps

• Also use the tamper, especially the poker on the 3-way, to keep the tobacco burning evenly across the bowl -- keep it flat.

• Only "pack" with the tamper if you initially packed too lightly -- try relighting first.
• Did I say relight as necessary? Some smokers think relighting is bad, I don't know why.

• If it gurgles (you will know), stick a pipe cleaner in the stem for a few seconds, then continue smoking.

• If your bowl is uncomfortably hot in your hand, you are smoking too fast - pace yourself there, hoss.

• Smoke until its all ash or leave some dottle behind (tobacco remains). Smoke until you had enough and dump it, or smoke some and save it for later. The choice is yours, remember this is for YOUR enjoyment.

• Run a pipe cleaner through your pipe after every smoke to keep it clean and tasty.

• You should let a cob rest (and dry out) for a couple hours after emptying. Briars should rest a day. Meerschaum and clay pipes need no resting.

• Have patience and keep trying and you'll get the hang of it quickly.

What next?
• Now, if you liked it, or even if you didn't, try some other blends (Carter Hall, Half & Half, etc.) for about the same price.
And/or
• Visit a good local B&M and sample their pipe tobacco blends.
And/or
• Look at some websites at different pipes and tobaccos to get acclimated. Read some reviews to get a sense of what flavors are out there.
And/or
• Look at eBay for a possible estate pipe purchase, but that's a whole 'nother post.

After doing all the above, THEN you might want to think about buying tins from online suppliers

Happy puffing!

~TMP

Next Post: Purchasing Your First Estate Pipe!