Overpacking a pipe: Good or bad?

[MadMarc664]

most of the time i pack below the rim

[PipeFriendCHS]

@kamayan0413 after smoking

[TheOmnissiah]

I find that because the tobacco tends to expand when I light it, even with tamping if I just pack it relatively firmly to the top of the bowl I have a nice smoke which doesn't waste any tobacco falling out the top.

[dradeel]

I never understood the rationale for over-packing a pipe. Surely, the tobacco expands as you light it and it gets hotter. That's what I hear everywhere else, and that's what it's done so far when I've packed my pipes just below the rim. And how many extra minutes of smoking does over-packing give you even if it's a small bowl? It would have to be a laughably tiny bowl to matter significantly. Its aesthetics are also poor. It looks amateur-ish :P There's also a higher risk of scorching the rim.

[theshredguy]

I don't overpack. The one time I tried it a burning piece of tobacco fell off and landed on my hand - expletives ensued. I usually pack a bit below the rim so I don't scorch the rim of the pipe.

[majormaxo1]

I am still figuring out the best method, but lately I have been filling my pipes either just to or just below the top. I don't over fill, though it may be a good idea since the pipes I own now are small ones.

[FpsGamer43]

now i dont get this why you need a tamp why not just put it in and light it once

btw im not anti tamp i dont own one since the end of a nail works fine

[wiker1212]

greetings ...... could tell me what types of tobaccos are mild and do not bite in your mouth?

[DonLollio]

@wiker1212 i would say.....Sweet Dublin :D, i smoke it myself, and it does taste good, and the only time i've got a bite, was when i startet(smoked too fast)

(and watch out for MacBarens "Mixture" it has no taste)

[MrMclieberman]

I like over packing for two reasons. I think it makes for a better starting ember, much more oxygen. It also looks cool, I like to see the tobacco burn.

[BlueRvng]

Hey there PipeFriend,

I had also read about over-packing.

When I first started smoking a pipe (a few weeks ago, lol..) I tried it.. Too messy in my opinion.

Being the poor kid that I am (if you consider 20 a 'kid') I currently have a cheap corn cob. Decent size bowl I guess.

I find that over-packing does allow for a longer smoke, but it's just not worth the mess. Now I try to keep it even, or just below the rim.

Kind Regards,

Josh.

[reverendmbrewer]

I used to over pack a pipe when I first started, but I have quickly come to hate doing that. I pack my pipe just under the rim.

[yarekim5932]

i pack below the rim , don't want to damage the rim . tobacco swells up when you do your first light . i've been trying the air pocket method and it work good . something different . cheers , shalom

[DrGrabow10]

isnt htat the pipe from your dangerous pipe vid? it looks liek the embers will spill out the top if you jsut bite it

[PipeFriendCHS]

No it is not that pipe :-)

[Sirchud68]

I'm still trying all the different ways to pack. I'll try this, too!

[powerman2442]

I pack it flush to the rim. Fairly loose as well. I smoke a corn cob. :S I also find my tobacco expands when I first light it.

[Chakotaysmack]

Yeah, that is way I don't pack my pipe extremely over full, because of the loose particles from what you call the "false lite" of the pipe. :) No JVC!

[BricelynTowne]

I was taught by a tobacconist to under pack to prevent the tars and crud from developing on the rim, Makes clean up a little easier.

[smiley3188]

i usally try to get it toped off at the rim or slightly under

[cacrow]

I never over pack, and this is the first I've heard of anyone trying it. The blends I smoke expand upon the charring and true lights, so over-packing would be a mess. (And I'm already messy enough)

Cheers,

Crow

[Tobaccoandcoffee]

i never over pack for reasons displayed on your vid, IE, tobacco falling out and everywhere, a petpeve of mine. quarter inch below the rim is my practice. also, if your a seinfield fan, kramer, at the cafe, has a pipe in one episode where his pipe is VERY over filled.

[ManiacalMikal]

I use the Maniacal Mikal method and overpack it - always - good exercise - hot flakes of burning tobacco drops in your beard or lap and you're up doing a jig to put out the fire - like I say: good exercise - overpack it ; )

[akouo01]

LOL!

[akouo01]

My preference is to over pack a small bowl, and even pack a large bowl. One experience with a small bowl was that a tobacco ember from the over pack fell upon my trousers after lighting, and by the quick movement of knocking the ember away produced 2 more on my shirt. LOL, the result was 2 burnt holes in my shirt and one scorch mark to my pants. Also I have ruined a couple other shirts also. So I'm careful lighting the over pack.

But I have never scorched the bowl top by over packing.

[nycemt335]

I have ruined a shirt like that as well.

[Threenil81]

I use my own version of the "Frank Method" i dont really put a "packet" or whatever on top and then roll pack w/ my thumb but i do get it pretty solid and then w/ my thumb pack to where the it is a conical shape facing the bottom of the bowl like a "V". it seems to burn more evenly for me with the expanding tobaccoo.

[OneManSmoke]

I never have very good results when I over pack. I just go by feel. Works best for me.

Salam

[pipesmoker67]

I use the Frank method with a lite tamp just below the rim to aviod rim burning. This method work best for me; temp. wise and with minimal relighting. And as I always repeat; keep them shank clean and always have a dry, sweet smoke...yada, yada, yada....

[pinochet222]

nice shot at 2:16

[dosfiend3]

I always top it off at the rim. I seem to get easier and less messy smokes. Messy meaning tobacco doesn't fall all over the place. It seemed to work on your video but I generally like to stay below the rim.

[broadcaster1star]

The advice of over-packing is usually concerning the pre-light tamping. The tobacco does not shrink when lit, but it rather expands because it gives the moisture out etc..

So, it is ok to over pack before the light, than tamp it down below rim level, light it, when it expands, re-tamp, and puff away.

[spikespeigel]

haha how long did that one last? like 3 hours?

[ahmedsadik1983]

i pack beloow the rim,,or top but not over load,,it might easily char the rim and char ur legs as burning ashes will start falling

cheers

ahmad

[PipesterJim]

I got into the habit of over-packing just because I am greedy and wanted more tobacco in my bowl, however the rims on my pipes were suffering as a result so I am trying to be a bit more restrained at the moment.

[muelabruno]

how long dose that bowl last?

[PipeFriendCHS]

60 mins or so

[ThePipeGreek]

I overpack slightly, mainly because I don't like it when my pipes have nice even cake in the bowl except for a small portion of the very top. Downside is that it can be quite hard to light.

[pipemannow]

I am with you on packing PipeGreek!

[MrGysbertiHodenpyl]

I will agree with what seems like the majority here and say I would not over pack for fear of scorching the rim. As far as improving the length: Is a few more minutes worth damage to your precious briar? You can always re-pack! Great vid Pipefriend

[MahkMahkMark]

I always pack below the rim to protect the rim from burning. I think you're right that the only advantage would be in a very small bowl where you want a longer smoke....

[jrrd997]

I have problems drawing and lighting an over packed pipe, even with matches. My taste is to slightly pack over the rim, but not "over packed" , for lighting easier and quicker. I do small bowls. Those bowls you pack seem like they could last for over an hour. I Use a zippo pipe lighter, and I feel like it's hard to draw that flame down unless I pack light. Awesome pipe!

[PennyDropper]

I think you may have over packet it too much.

[SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

That's interesting, I actually do the opposite these days, I pack so there is as much as one half inch space (in large bowls) below the rim so that I don't damage my pipe rim. But to each their own I say! Cheers,

Kel

[ContemplativePipe]

I generally pack flush with the top or a little under. I think I would make a bit of a mess overpacking. Cheers! - Ferrick

[Acaciavet]

I say 1/8 inch below tobacco expands

[Justice4themeek]

Slight overpack, Awesome wonderful pipe. :)

[devildog2568]

I usually back below the rim, i keep charring the rims of my pipes but packing it that way helps.

[nickandhispipe]

It all depends on the pipe for me. If it is a smaller pipe I overpack so that it smokes that much longer. My bigger nicer pipes I underpack just under the brim, that way I don't scorch the rim.

[nickandhispipe]

And I love that Pipe Marc

[PipeDreamsInc]

I try to slightly underpack, but it doesn't always work out that way, especially when I'm stuffing folded flakes. I hear you shouldn't overpack, as it will scorch the rim, but my rims scorch no matter what I do.

Best,

Bill

[bahumutx]

I always try to pack just below the rim to help avoid damaging the rim from the flame.

[mynameisstupid27]

when i pack i typically just make it right under the top of the rim.

[Essy7887]

I smoke a straight small bowl pipe

[Sargecon1]

Hey there over the see,

well I never overpack it, I did it once and the result of it where to little holes in my Joggingpants. so I don't thinks its a good idea

Cheers, Chris

[stengun1990]

I usually y pack my pipe just below the rim if its a pipe i really like. if its a cheap one or a corn cob i usually pack it to the top or over a little because then i don't worry about scorching the rim. If im outdoors i tend to over pack it because then it doesn't matter if any falls out.

Mason

[GuitarmanST]

WOW that pipe is huge haha, good vid I tend to underpack

[TheMapper]

weee!!! first to watch your vid:)

i'm always careful not to overpack my pipe as the bowl can get burnt/ scorched easier. i usually fill to about 3mm below the rim. then when the baccy swells with the heat it doesn't spill out. it's too expensive here to do that! LOL!

[joffrethegiant]

3mm? Pretty exact! I'm with you, though, that's how I do it. I guess it can also depend on the type of tobacco...

[TheMapper]

LOL! yeah, us archaeologists like our tiny measurements :D that's sort of an average i'd say.

yes, the tobacco makes a diff too. some swells much more when you initially light it than others and needs a little more space to expand. there's nothing worse than little bits of burning tobacco cascading out over the bowl onto my shirt!