How to stuff a pipe properly?
If you are inexperienced with pipes, the first steps can be quite unusual. Before you can enjoy your pipe, you must first stuff it with tobacco. And that's not so easy without experience. That's why we'll show you the three most common methods that are guaranteed to get you stuffing your pipe correctly.
Stuffing a pipe correctly
When filling your pipe, there is actually only one essential trick that you need to pay attention to: Don't get the draw-hole clogged. If that happens, your pipe won't draw as it should and will clog. That's why it's important to fill the pipe tobacco just tight enough so that not too much and not too little smoke gets through the pipe. So much in advance: with a little practice, you will quickly get the hang of it. We therefore present the three most common methods for filling your pipe.
1. The Method of Thirds
The one-third method is not only probably the most popular method among pipe smokers, but is also particularly well suited for beginners. Because the principle is simple: You fill your pipe in three steps with one third of tobacco each. You fill the lowest layer, which is directly at the draft hole, into the tobacco bowl without applying pressure or tapping. This will prevent your pipe from clogging later. With the second layer, you can already press the tobacco lightly.
The third and last layer you can press a little harder with your thumb to finish. As a test, you can then pull on the not yet burning pipe. After a few passes, you will quickly develop a sense of how tightly you can stuff your pipe.
2. The Air Sac Method
The air bag method is more suitable for experienced pipe smokers. As the name suggests, the idea is to create a so-called air sac in the lower part of the pipe. The idea behind this is also here not to clog the draft hole. In the method, you fill the entire amount of tobacco into the bowl of the pipe in one sweep. To do this, you already press the tobacco in your hand a little bit and press it into the pipe with a quick movement. If it does not sit right away, you can also readjust a little with your thumb.
3. The Gravitation Method
The gravitation method sounds more spectacular than it really is. The trick here is that you hold your pipes upside down while filling them. You stuff the tobacco into the pipe in two portions. The first layer should fill about one-third of the bowl and be stuffed into the bowl in such a way that it adheres overhead and does not fall out. The remaining two-thirds you can subsequently stuff into pipe with more pressure. You may need a few more tries until this method works smoothly.
Do I need tools to plug the pipe properly?
Whether you want to use tools for pipe tamping depends entirely on your personal preferences. While the three methods presented can all be done with a finger without any problems. However, you must have a pipe tamper in any case as a pipe smoker.
Which tobacco should I use?
However, the best methods are of little use to you if the tobacco is not properly conditioned. Ideally, it should be neither too dry nor too moist. In both cases, the tobacco can be plugged only poorly - even the smoking itself is then little fun. Therefore, inform yourself in advance about your tobacco and the correct humidity. And in case of doubt, rather too dry than too moist.
