Finally figured out how to get a dry smoke

**JCinPA** · 08-09-2012, 07:05 PM

I microwaved my tobaccy for a bit. I've read about that before, but I am surprised to hear so many smokers say a tobacco comes out of the tin at just the right moisture content for a dry smoke. I've NEVER had that happen and I've been sampling over a dozen lately. Now part of this, I am sure is because none of my pipes have any noticeable cake on them yet, but they all end up gurgling, even if just a little.

So I got some American Delite out tonight, put one bowl's worth on a paper towel, spread it out and microwaved it for 10 seconds. Spread it around a little bit, microwaved it for another 10 seconds, and then a third time.

Finally, a dry smoke!

I am sure cake is part of it, but as far as I can tell so far, no tobacco comes out of the tin ready to smoke. It needs a little moisture while sitting in the jar, but so far everything I have smoked has benefitted by drying time. Do you think this will change as I build up a little cake in my pipes?

Also, mine all burn down deeper on the stem side of the bowl. Way deeper. I have to dig a little hole of ash out and mix up the rest, pulling some away from the far side of the bowl and relighting. How do you get a bowl to burn evenly down the entire diameter of the bowl?

**COHunter** · 08-10-2012, 08:51 AM

While I've never microwaved my tobacco I have let it sit out on a paper towel for a time, or under a lamp for 10-15 minutes. Cake serves mainly to protect the briar from burnout, I don't know how much it really benefits a dry smoke by its existence.

Some tobacco is ready to go, in my experience Prince Albert is ready to go right away. Aromatics are almost always goopy. All depends on the blend.

The gurgle can come from a number of issues, where the draft hole is drilled, shape of the pipe has a lot to do with it to. Full bent pipes seem to do it more since they have a good place for steam to collect. Keep in mind if you breathe back through the stem it adds moisture too.

You may never get the bowl to burn evenly around the whole diameter, but I'd attribute more to packing than just moisture content. Also, relights are a good thing!! And one huge key is to tamp while you smoke. Gentle tamping during the smoke helps it burn more evenly.

**JCinPA** · 08-10-2012, 09:07 AM

Thanks!

**Jeff C** · 08-10-2012, 06:02 PM

I've been smoking pipes for awhile and don't think cake has much to do with it. I keep minimal cake in my pipes and moisture is likely to trickle down rather than collect in the cake. Many tobaccos are tinned with humectants to keep them moist and that translates into extra moisture that may gurgle. Airing tobacco out a bit before a smoke can help, smoking slow, and using lots of pipe cleaners helps too, and to some extent, as noted above, pipe style matters.

**JCinPA** · 08-10-2012, 07:36 PM

Yep, I know about airing it out, I have been doing that. But I did not want to wait a half hour. So the microwave worked! Just don't overdo it.

**Kentos** · 08-10-2012, 08:41 PM

What consistency are you looking for there John? My FVF is pretty sticky and damp feeling, so I might take a stab at it.

**JCinPA** · 08-10-2012, 10:41 PM

I'm not too good at descriptions, I think. I guess it depends on how wet you are starting out, mine was not too bad. I think the thing is to go slow and not cook it. That's why I did 10 seconds at a time and kept checking.

It was not crackling dry by any means, it just wasn't damp. But it was still soft and hydrated. I don't know how to say it any better than that. Three bursts is all I needed. If it is a goopey aromatic, maybe more would be needed. But go very slowly, I'm sure you can get in trouble pretty quick.

**Kentos** · 08-10-2012, 10:52 PM

I gave half a flake of Stonehaven 10 secs and it was warm. Have it a sniff and choked on whatever was outgassing at that moment

The flake broke apart into matchsticks. It smoked well enough in my just received today Kirsten, but seemed to lack flavor. Nt sure I it's a function of dry tobacco, the pipe, or both.

I'll smoke another bowl with unmicro'd flake tomorrow.

**JCinPA** · 08-11-2012, 06:33 AM

Was the Stonehaven too wet to begin with? I'm not playing with the microwave to try to change the tobacco, nor recommending it as a regular thing. I think it's better to let tobacco sit for a bit if it is a bit wet.

I just did it because I got home late and wanted to get a bowl going without letting it air on a plate for 30-60 minutes first.

I was not suggesting this is a good practice or something I thought I would do a lot, I was probably too enthusiastic in my OP. All this is for me is an occasional fix when I am pressed for time and want to smoke something that feels a bit too damp. I have not done it again and last night I left some out on a paper plate for a bit. I think that is always preferred.

Anyway, if you keep playing with this, let us know how it turns out. But I'm not really fiddling with it, it's just an 'emergency' quick-fix when needed.

**Kentos** · 08-11-2012, 08:56 AM

I understand

. I also sometimes find I have a chance to smoke at the last minute, so I am in the same boat.

Originally Posted by JCinPA

Was the Stonehaven too wet to begin with? I'm not playing with the microwave to try to change the tobacco, nor recommending it as a regular thing. I think it's better to let tobacco sit for a bit if it is a bit wet.

I just did it because I got home late and wanted to get a bowl going without letting it air on a plate for 30-60 minutes first.

I was not suggesting this is a good practice or something I thought I would do a lot, I was probably too enthusiastic in my OP. All this is for me is an occasional fix when I am pressed for time and want to smoke something that feels a bit too damp. I have not done it again and last night I left some out on a paper plate for a bit. I think that is always preferred.

Anyway, if you keep playing with this, let us know how it turns out. But I'm not really fiddling with it, it's just an 'emergency' quick-fix when needed.