How to Light a Pipe | Lifestyle

by DaveSabot

A pipe lighter gives some information as to the correct way to light a pipe. Most of these lighters contains some attachments which are used in the tamping and cleaning process. Properly packing and cleaning the pipe before and after use is vital to the best smoking experience.

The small cleaning attachments should be used on the pipe first. Clean any old tobacco out of the bowl, a bit will tend to stick when it is tapped out. Check the pipe to make sure there's no resistance when it's not packed. Now comes the packing process. This is a bit complex but knowing how to pack the pipe makes all the difference.

There will be two stages of packing the pipe. After the tobacco is cleaned, making certain there are no clumps or impurities in the tobacco, fill up the bowl halfway and tamp it down. Draw through the unlit pipe to make certain that there's no resistance. Pack the bowl the rest of the way and tamp down the tobacco until it is level with the top of the bowl. Before the final smoking light, the tobacco needs to be properly dried.

Lighting the pipe is much different than is lighting a cigar or a cigarette. First, one must eliminate any moisture from the tobacco. Hold the flame above the tobacco and draw it down by puffing lightly. Get the tobacco smoking but don't light it. The tobacco will puff up and take on a shaggy appearance. Tamp it back into the bowl and level it out again.

The second light is done in the same way, drawing the flame down into the tobacco excepting that this time the tobacco is actually heated until it burns on its own. Don't get the tobacco too hot. Again, take a bit of time and let the tobacco naturally build up enough heat to maintain combustion. Getting the tobacco very hot will result in the smoke having a harsh taste. Puff a few times and, when the tobacco is lit, sit back and enjoy! The tobacco should burn for quite a long time when it is properly packed and lit.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Dave Sabot is the owner of an online specialty lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including lotus cigar lighters, Dave also owns a premier online cigar humidor store.