How to Smoke a Pipe Like a Pro

The Anatomy of a Pipe

• Chamber - The routed interior of the pipe in which the tobacco is placed.
• Bowl - The bowl is the exterior of the chamber and is typically the part of the pipe that is held.
• Heel - The heel of a pipe is the base and forward portion of the bowl that faces away from the shank.
• Shank - The shank is the hollow portion of the pipe that extends from the bowl, through which smoke travels towards your mouth.
• Bit - The bit is the narrowest part of the stem that is held by your mouth, teeth, or lips.
• Button/Lip - The button or lip is the endmost part of the pipe in which the pipe is smoked.

Packing Your Pipe

To pack your pipe, start by sprinkling the tobacco into the chamber until it's over the top of the bowl. Then, press it down to the halfway point. Repeat filling the chamber until it is over the bowl, and then press it down to the 3/4 point. Finally, fill the chamber one more time until it is over the top of the bowl, and press it down until it is just below the rim. This "3 layer" method will give you looser tobacco at the bottom to allow for airflow, but tighter tobacco at the top to help keep the pipe lit.

Test Your Draw

At this point, it's time to test the draw of the pipe. If it feels like sucking through an empty straw, your draw is too loose. If it feels like a thick milkshake, your draw is too tight. If it feels like sucking soda through a straw, your draw is just right, and you can move on to the next step.

How to Light Your Pipe

To light your pipe, use a match or a soft butane lighter. Never use a torch lighter. Torch lighters burn entirely too hot and could destroy your pipe.

Circulate the flame above your tobacco, and take long, slow, even puffs. The tobacco will begin to rise up at this point. Tamp it down with your tamper and relight your pipe. When the draw starts to loosen up, use your tamper to lightly press the tobacco down to help keep it lit.

What Should You Do If Your Pipe Goes Out?

If your pipe goes out during the smoking process, you will need to stoke it or relight it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having to relight your pipe.

Stoking Your Pipe

Stoking your pipe is a very similar concept to stoking a fire in a fireplace. Take a matchbox, place it over the top of the bowl, and puff gently a few times. This will reignite the ember in the bowl and allow you to enjoy your pipe.