I'm sure I could search the forums and find my answers, but I figured I'd post to give me a a chance to talk to and meet some more of you guys.
My first briar came earlier this week, a Savinelli Tortuga and I've smoked it twice so far to break it in. I've seen that many people break it in differently. Some smoke quarter or half bowls and slowly build up a cake. Some smoke whole bowls and just take it slow. I've only smoked it a couple times but the cake is already starting to build, except at the very bottom of the bowl.
Now, I am doing the full bowl smoke slowly method. Should I do some partial (quarter bowls) to build up cake on the bottom of the bowl? I also read somewhere you don't want to build too much cake down there and heave it block the draw.
Should I just keep doing what I'm doing but make sure to smoke it until the very end? Or do I need as much or any cake at the very bottom?
Also, the couple times I've smoked it I used different tobaccos (Frog Morton Cellar and GL Pease Maltese Falcon). Should I stick to one during the break-in period or does it not matter?
Another noobie question is that of corncobs. I ordered a MM Country Gentleman which should arrive tomorrow. That way I have a cheaper pipe for trying some new blends, maybe the occasional aromatic so I can use my briar for English blends. I know a corncob doesn't need a break-in period, but is there any special care I need to take with it or anything I should know about corncobs?
Thanks!
My first briar came earlier this week, a Savinelli Tortuga and I've smoked it twice so far to break it in. I've seen that many people break it in differently. Some smoke quarter or half bowls and slowly build up a cake. Some smoke whole bowls and just take it slow. I've only smoked it a couple times but the cake is already starting to build, except at the very bottom of the bowl.
Now, I am doing the full bowl smoke slowly method. Should I do some partial (quarter bowls) to build up cake on the bottom of the bowl? I also read somewhere you don't want to build too much cake down there and heave it block the draw.
Should I just keep doing what I'm doing but make sure to smoke it until the very end? Or do I need as much or any cake at the very bottom?
Also, the couple times I've smoked it I used different tobaccos (Frog Morton Cellar and GL Pease Maltese Falcon). Should I stick to one during the break-in period or does it not matter?
Another noobie question is that of corncobs. I ordered a MM Country Gentleman which should arrive tomorrow. That way I have a cheaper pipe for trying some new blends, maybe the occasional aromatic so I can use my briar for English blends. I know a corncob doesn't need a break-in period, but is there any special care I need to take with it or anything I should know about corncobs?
Thanks!