Smoking a pipe is a wonderful way to enjoy a refined pastime. However, before you can enjoy that pipe, you have to light it. Of course, this is easier said than done. While the tobacco that you choose certainly plays a role in both your enjoyment and the lighting process, you'll find that having the right pipe tools on hand and a bit of knowhow will make the process simpler and easier.
The right tools are essential to lighting your pipe. In addition to a pipe tamper, cleaner and aerator, you'll need a quality lighter. You should choose to make use of a butane lighter, such as lighters with a cigar cutter, or another form of lighter. However, make sure that such a dual flame configuration offers a traditional flame, as well as a torch. A torch flame can actually damage your bowl beyond repair. Now that you have your tools, it's time to start. Lay your tobacco out and remove any clumps from it. You should then pack your bowl, loosely.
Next, you will need to pack the bowl. Do this with small pinches of loose tobacco. Fill the bowl until the tobacco is just above the rim of the bowl. You'll need to tamp the tobacco now. However, don't pack it too tightly, as this will reduce your enjoyment and make smoking your pipe difficult. Take a test draw on the pipe stem and determine if air moves easily through the bowl. If it does not, you'll need to start over again.
Now that the bowl has been packed, it's time to light it. This is much different than lighting a cigar or a cigarette. You'll need to hold the flame of your lighter over the bowl, without touching the tobacco. This helps to remove any excess moisture from the top layer. Draw the flame down by lightly inhaling on the stem of the pipe. You should not actually light the tobacco at this point, you just want it smoking. Now, put down the lighter and gently tamp the tobacco back into place.
The next step is the real lighting. Once more, hold the lighter above the tobacco and draw gently on the pipe stem. Allow the flame to brush the tobacco and then whirl the flame around in the bowl so that all the tobacco lights. Do not get the tobacco too hot now, or it will taste foul. Once the pipe is going, you can simply enjoy a relaxing smoke.
Dave Sabot is the owner of specialty lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including Cigar Cutter Lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring information on how to repair a lighter.
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