Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Gathering the supplies
• Part 2 of 3: Smoking
• Part 3 of 3: After smoking
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

The art of pipe smoking is one of the oldest forms of tobacco use. The pipe is still a reassuring approach that is often overlooked by the modern smoker. Having said this, if you are going to pipe smoking, do it because you are interested in this rich experience and not because you think it is a safe alternative to cigarettes. The health risks are comparable or only slightly less.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Gathering the supplies

1. View all pipes. Part of the pleasure of pipe smoking is in the ability to create your own perfect experience. Take time when shopping at the tobacconist for aesthetically pleasing options. Take each pipe in your hand - a lightweight pipe usually feels better in the hand. If you are completely lost, ask the employees for recommendations.
   • Even an attractive wooden pipe could have hidden flaws - and it probably does, if it comes with a low price tag. If price is your main concern, then a corncob pipe is a safer bet.
   • A metal filter in the flue can trap the excess moisture and may affect the taste. This is a matter of personal preference and should you change your mind the filter can be removed.
2. Check for mechanical faults. Nothing is more disturbing when smoking than a broken pipe. Avoid frustration with a quick inspection of the pipe before you buy it:
   • Do not buy a pipe that has walls thinner than 6mm, about the width of a pencil. The pot must also be at least as thick; to measure this, put a straight pipe cleaner through the head, squeeze it on the top of the head and compare this height with the outside.
   • Put a pipe cleaner through the tige. This should pass through smoothly and land close to the base of the pot.
   • Although there are exceptions, thick coatings can flake and bubble after intensive use.
3. Collect accessories. You need more than just a pipe to start smoking. When you visit a pipe shop, buy everything you need at the same time so you don't have to go up and down. You also need:
   • A lighter or matches. Plastic gas lighters are cheap and available in abundance, but some smokers don't like the smell and taste. Pipe lighters come in a variety of prices, but it may be better to start with a good supply of wooden matches first. You can always invest in a pipe lighter later on.
   • A pack of pipe cleaners to keep your pipe working properly and clean.
   • A pestle. This is used to compress the tobacco in the cup.
4. Choose a pipe tobacco. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when you first enter a tobacconist. Cyprian Latakia? Dutch Cavendish? Fortunately, you only need a quick lesson for your first purchase:
   • Aromatic blends (sometimes referred to as American) have added flavors. Most beginners prefer these softer and sweeter varieties.
   • Non-aromatic blends are pure tobacco, typically with a strong and spicy flavor. "English Blends" are non-aromatic blends containing Latakia, a powerful and smoky variety.
   • Any tobacco can go through a "Cavendish" process to make it sweeter and lighter.
   • If you can, buy two or three small sample cans so you can sample different varieties.
5. Choose the type of tobacco. Tobacco is sold in various shapes and sizes. There are many different cuts and preparation methods. These are good options for beginners:
   • Ribbon cut tobacco comes in long and thin ribbons that can be placed directly in the cup.
   • Flake cut tobacco comes in thick strips or in irregularly broken pieces. You have to rub them both between your fingers, until they fall apart into small pieces.

Part 2 of 3: Smoking

1. Set aside 20 to 40 minutes. Pipe smoking is a relaxing activity. Take some time for yourself in a pleasant space where you will not be disturbed and where you do not disturb others with your smoke.
   • If you're smoking a new briar pipe, do it indoors and away from drafts. Even a little bit of wind can cause the pipe to burn hotter, which can damage the briar pipe before it is smoked. However, this is not necessary for most pipes, including the corncob pipes.
2. Grab a glass of water. Having a drink nearby keeps your mouth and throat from drying out and prevents a sore tongue. Some combine pipe smoking with coffee or tea instead, but it is better to wait a while until you are more experienced and can choose a good combination.
   • It is not recommended to consume alcohol before or during pipe smoking as it significantly increases the risk of cancer from smoking.
3. Clean the pipe. Before smoking, put the pipe cleaner through the tige and beat out the remaining ash and tobacco.
4. Fill the pipe with three pinches of tobacco. Stopping the pipe properly takes some practice and has a big impact on your pleasure. The tobacco should be loose enough to allow air to pass through and feel resilient. Have an experienced smoker explain what to do or use the following beginner-friendly method:
   • Put a little bit of tobacco in the cup. Press this lightly or not at all, so that you leave enough air between the leaves.
   • Add a slightly larger amount and press gently until the cup is half full.
   • Finish it off with a third pinch and tamp it down until you have a space of about 0.5mm above the tobacco.
   • Note: When smoking a briar pipe, many will fill the pipe to ⅓ or ½ the depth described here to smoke it for the first time. This creates a protective layer of charcoal, although not all smokers agree with this approach.
5. Light the pipe with a wooden match or a pipe lighter. If you're using a match, let the sulfur burn for a few seconds first to avoid getting the matchstick flavor in your mouth. Move the flame around the surface of the tobacco, sucking the mouthpiece with long, even puffs. Many pipe smokers prefer to light the pipe once before tamping the ashes, extinguishing the embers. This gives the tobacco a flat and even surface. This is called a "false light," which is actually an optional step, but allows the tobacco to burn evenly and then light less frequently. After pressing, light the pipe again, as described above. If the pipe goes out right away - which is normal - push it back down and light it in the same way.
6. Smoke with small and sporadic puffs. Most pipe smokers draw the smoke into their mouths by sucking gently or by moving the tongue back along the roof of the mouth. Some beginners and cigarette smokers do inhale it instead, but it is best to keep the smoke in your mouth and not in your lungs. Hold the head of the pipe in your hand while smoking for the first time. Only take enough puffs to keep the pipe burning, without the pipe getting too hot to hold.
   • A minority of pipe smokers occasionally enjoy inhaling it, which gives more of a nicotine smell. Pipe smoke is stronger and thicker than cigarette smoke. So stick to gentle puffs and limit inhaling to once or twice per cup.
   • By not inhaling the smoke you run less risk of lung cancer, but there is still a high risk of oral cancer from long-term use.
7. Tamp and light as needed. When the pipe goes out, tamp and light it again. The ash surface is in fact favorable and there is no need to take it out until it is so thick you cannot light it. When the time comes, tap out half of the ash by patting the pipe against a cork beater, your hand, or some other soft object.

Part 3 of 3: After smoking

1. Let the pipe cool down. When you are done smoking, let the pipe cool down. If you haven't smoked the entire cup, tamp the tobacco to put it out.
   • Never disassemble the pipe while it is still warm. This can cause the mouthpiece to burst.
2. Do the head maintenance. You can do this in two different ways, depending on the type of pipe:
   • Briar pipes need a charcoal build-up (a "cake") to protect the wood. Cover the cup and shake the ash around to loosen it up and spread it throughout the cup. Rub the ash against the walls of the head with your finger. Throw out what's left.
   • Most smokers prefer to keep them clean with other pipes. Shake out the ashes, then wipe the head with a paper towel or pipe cleaner. (Meerschaum pipes in particular should never have too heavy a "cake").
3. Clean the mouthpiece and the body. Remove the mouthpiece and insert a pipe cleaner to remove moisture and residue. Do the same with the tige from the pipe to the pot.
4. Go through the mouthpiece and the tige with a pipe cleaner. Remove the mouthpiece from the pipe. Lightly moisten a pipe cleaner (saliva is good) and push it all the way through until you see the end at the bottom of the pipe. Repeat this a few times, alternating with blowing gently through the mouthpiece to remove loose ash. Repeat this with the number one.
5. Leave the pipe for a day or two. This will allow time for any moisture in the pipe to evaporate, avoiding difficult puffs and gurgling noises.
   • If you want to smoke more often, add a second pipe to your collection.
   • You can leave a pipe cleaner in the pipe to soak up the remaining moisture and other residue.
6. After a few smokes, wipe it down with alcohol. A pipe cleaner or cotton swab dipped in alcohol removes the dirt that can block the air flow or affect the taste. If you are using a poisonous alcohol, such as rubbing alcohol, be sure not to use the pipe for 24 hours so that the alcohol can evaporate completely. Any spirits with a high alcohol content can be used, but neutral-tasting alcohol, such as grain alcohol or vodka, are best for this. Then use a dry pipe cleaner to dry all the moisture. Be careful not to get alcohol on the painted surfaces of the pipe, otherwise this could remove the paint. Some do this after every smoke and others don't care at all. If you make this a habit, ask a fellow smoker to help you identify the signs of a dirty pipe.

Tips

• Most of all, be patient and take it easy. For the most part, this entire pipe smoking experience is unpleasant until one is adept at stopping, lighting, tamping, and regularity of smoking. It takes time to find out what your favorite tobacco blend is and which pipe suits your taste best.
• Tobacco is packaged at different humidity levels, which is actually a matter of preference. An extra moist can may be easier to smoke if you let it air dry a little.
• Seek support and advice. There are many excellent forums and wonderful people who are happy to lend a hand in discovering this beautiful hobby and pastime.
• To maintain the shine on a briar pipe, polish it occasionally with a briar wood polish.
• If the pipe gets too hot to hold, it will burn too badly. Put it down and let it go out and try again a few minutes later.

Warnings

• Never use a metal pipe to smoke tobacco. They can look very special and impressive, but remember that metal conducts heat. You could burn yourself with it.
• Meerschaum pipes are extremely fragile (and valuable). Ask an experienced meerschaum smoker for advice.
• Pipe smoking can give you a "tongue bite," which represents an irritated or sore tongue. The cause of this is unclear, but smoking at a lower temperature (less tobacco, a slower draft) and switching tobacco can help. Experienced smokers learn to avoid this by improving their technique.
• Smoking a pipe puts you at risk of mouth and throat cancers similar to smoking cigarettes. There is also a risk of lung cancer when inhaled.

Necessities

• A pipe
• Pipe cleaner
• Tobacco
• For cleaning:
• Pipe reamer
• Pipe cleaners
• Polish and cloth
• Clean and lint-free cloth