Dilemma of Seasoning a Pipe

Subject: Re: Dilemma of Seasoning a Pipe Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:45 pm

Alfredo, how sure are you that the change is due to the seasoning of the pipe & not due to the exposure of the backy to the air? It's been my quite regular experience that a tin will change its temperament quite markedly over the course of a few weeks - sometimes even a few days - after it has been opened. Almost every tiime its a continuous improvement. And it has been irrespective of the specific pipe - as long as it has stayed within the genre (sorry for using that word). Quite frankly, I don't know how you'd practically eliminate that effect (unless you open a fresh tin for every bowl!).

Joined : 17 Dec 2007 Posts : 100

Hey Muddler,

My position that an inordinate number of seasoning bowls finally yielded a monochromatic, rich, superb red VA and your position that air improved the tobacco
are both unprovable.

I've heard someone say that air "opened up" a tobacco, and I believe that I've heard some others say the same thing. However I keep all opened tins and their tobacco in jelly jars. When I want to smoke something I extract enough tobacco for the bowl but am always careful to close the jar and keep it closed as much as possible while I load the pipe. So for me the time that the tobacco is in contact with air is kept to a minimum.

This is the only caveat that I have to your experience. Both of our positions are worthwhile. Thank you for voicing yours.
_________________
From Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb"

"Mandrake, I enjoy the company of women but do deny them my essence."

Mike