How important is burning quality to you?

[eric]

I was part of a discussion about a particular blend that I have smoked myself. This person, like myself, has troubles keeping this tobacco lit. Fortunately, the guy who came up with the blend joined in and explained that because of the composition, this blend simply requires a very loose fill and lots of relights.

I had sort of gathered this myself through experience and for this reason stay away from it. Personally, and I do mean personally, burning characteristics weigh heavily in my total appreciation of any blend. Anyone who has read my pipe tobacco reviews will see that because I mention it in nearly every review. I don't have a lot of company in staying away from that blend - it is very popular and well liked. I can see why, between the frequent relights it is scrumptious.

What do you think? How much does the burning qualities of a blend matter to you provided the tobacco tastes good?

[BillConnelly]

Well I'm still not fully sure how much gurgling and going out is to do with my smoking style, or the tobacco (or the pipe); but for me, the difference between a great smoke and and bad smoke is the apperance of these two evil events. If someone could promise me a tobacco that wouldn't gurlge, go out, or burn like a green leaf fire, I would pay a huge amount.

[46753]

I think we all pack pipes to reach a point after many years of trial and error to when we strike a match to the tobacco we get it on the first shot and it burns down to he bottom of the bowl and you have the perfect burn heaven knows iam still trying-FC.

[Blackadder]

I believe that any tobacco will burn and burn easy and well its just that in our packing we make mistakes and pack too tight or too light, it is an artform.

[thePIPEisright]

packing has its significant implications, but if i feel like i've packed this sucker like a champ (sometimes you KNOW it's packed great) and it won't stay lit, that's a bitch.

[MahkMahkMark]

I don't mind having to relight several times, within reason. But sometimes, due to tobacco moisture, heavy casing, improper packing, or a new pipe, will just put the nix on a good burn. My solutions: 1) drying the tobacco anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours. 2) Pack a bit lighter than you normally do ...this allows the baccy to breath and dry as it burns, and you can always pack it down if you find it to be too loose in the bowl. Much better than a load that's packed too tight. 3) Patience while breaking-in a new pipe. I just expect new pipes to smoke wet and a little harsh so I always use a dry, light tobacco to smoke the first ten bowls or so ...slowly. 4) Avoid heavy goopy aromatics. Sometimes I wonder if these aro's are made for smoking at all! Even drying won't get them to burn.

I guess I would say burning quality is somewhat important to me, but not a make it or break it issue if the tobacco is good.

[RipVanWinkle]

I would probably rather not smoke anything than smoke something I have to re-light every five minutes.

I smoke to relax. To get away from stress. Smoking a troublesome blend adds to the stress I'm trying to get away from. Pretty pointless in my opinion...

[mrtalkradio]

Co-dependent Tobacco isn't any fun to me.

[docjamo]

Lol. Well said Mr.Talk

[Calumet]

If the tobacco is really tasty Ill give it a little leway. I will try to dry and pack it several ways and I wont give up on it too soon. If it proves to troublesome to prepare, Ill put it away for trying in the future. I havent ran into any tobacco yet that I cant get to smoke OK but Im sure I will.

[Irminsul]

Don't mind some relighting as long as the end result is a good draw and full smoke. I like to use DGT frequently anyway.

[Brooklynpipeguy]

I don't mind relighting now and then, but many times becomes tedious. I guess if I am doing nothing much but smoking, relights don't bother me much at all. It is when I am writing a long email, or doing something requiring my hands that constant relighting gets on my nerves. I prefer an easy burning tobacco though all things considered. I do experiment with blends that need a lot of attention to see if I can find a way to make it burn more easily. But, if a blend is particularly tasty, and it doesn't burn well, I will only smoke it when I will not be bothered by relights.

I also generally use a lighter with blends that don't burn well, it makes relights quicker and easier.

Smoking Margate in a Tsuge Arashi now. (burns well LOL)