Before even lighting a tobacco pipe, it’s absolutely essential to learn how to pack one properly. Packing a pipe is the process of loading the bowl with tobacco and there’s much more to it than simply stuffing it in there.
Your packing technique can make or break your pipe smoking experience as it affects everything from the draw to the tobacco’s combustion. Therefore, it’s a fundamental skill to learn, which you will be able to do with this detailed guide.
In this guide, you will learn how to pack a tobacco pipe for the perfect draw and combustion:
- Tips Before Packing Your Pipe
- How To Pack A Tobacco Pipe
- Common Pipe Packing Issues
- Best Pipe Tools For Packing
You can scroll down to keep reading or use the above links to jump ahead.
How To Properly Pack A Tobacco Pipe
The following menus present the best pipe tools as well as all our other pipe guides and resources on Bespoke Unit. Continue scrolling to learn how to pack a tobacco pipe or click here to jump ahead.
Tips Before Packing Your Pipe
Although you can probably start packing your pipe right away, we recommend taking a few steps to make sure that you’re properly prepared beforehand.
Firstly, consider investing in a pipe tool so you can easily tamp the tobacco into place. While this can be achieved with your fingers, tamping with a tool is easier. Our lighting process also uses the tamp later on while the tobacco is hot so it may avoid burnt fingers!
Furthermore, you should make sure that your pipe is properly broken in before using it for the first time. This is a relatively simple process where you create a layer of what is known as “cake” in the bowl. Cake is essentially carbonised tobacco deposit that will protect the wood from burning.
Breaking in a pipe is achieved by starting with only quarter-sized amounts of tobacco in the new bowl. Over time, you incrementally increase the portions until you can pack a full bowl.
Finally, some tobacco can be particularly moist when fresh out of the tin or pouch. Knowing the right level of moistness comes with experience and personal preference.
However, if you think it’ll be too humid to burn well, we recommend taking out a portion from its container and leaving it on a clean for a few minutes before packing.
How To Pack A Tobacco Pipe
Now you have your favourite tobacco at the ready, you will learn how to properly pack it into your pipe before lighting it. There are many different ways to pack a tobacco pipe. However, this our preferred method for a more reliable combustion.
While there are indeed quicker methods, we believe that this one tends to require fewer relights and provides a more consistent draw. Aside from prepping your pipe and tobacco, the packing process for loading the bowl consists of three easy steps:
How To Properly Pack A Pipe With Tobacco
1. Prepare Your Pipe & Tobacco
Before you begin, make sure that your pipe is clean and free of any dottle (leftover tobacco). Feel free to give knock the bowl against the palm of your hand to free any loose particles.
Otherwise, you can give the bowl’s interior a light ream with a dull blade or pipe tool and pass a cleaner through the stem.
Meanwhile, take out a portion of tobacco on a clean surface and break it up so it has an even consistency. As mentioned above, you can leave it out if it’s a little moist.
Furthermore, you may want to remove any large chunks to ensure that you have a consistent burn during the smoke.
2. Light Layer: First Tobacco Fill
Begin by lightly sprinkling tobacco into the pipe until it is full up to the bowl’s rim. Let the tobacco naturally fall inside without pinching it and avoid applying any pressure by pressing it in.
Once full with a light quantity, gently push the tobacco down using the tamper tool. Make sure that you don’t press too hard so that the tobacco is springy rather than dense. For an average-sized pipe, the pipe should be just over a third full.
With each layer, we advise you to take a test draw. After the first one, you shouldn’t feel any resistance. If you do feel too much resistance at any time, we suggest removing all the tobacco and starting again.
3. Core Layer: Second Tobacco Fill
Next, you’ll want to fill the pipe with tobacco again in the same way as before. This time, you can fill it until the tobacco is overflowing from the rim.
Tamp the tobacco down with only slightly more force than previously making sure that it retains a springy resistance.
By now, the pipe should be nearly three quarters’ full. If you take a test draw, the resistance should only be barely noticeable.
4. Finishing Layer: Third & Final Tobacco Fill
Repeat the previous step by filling the pipe until the tobacco flows over the rim. Care should be taken when tamping the final layer as more pressure is required but it’s very easy to use too much.
With this final layer, the tobacco should be just about level with the rim after tamping. If not, don’t hesitate to add another using the same technique.
Meanwhile, it should provide some spring in the resistance albeit less than the previous steps.
As for the draw, there should only be some mild resistance. If it causes any discomfort and is too tight, we recommend removing it all and starting again. Although frustrating, it’s better to do this now than experience an unpleasant smoke.
Rather than discarding any leftover tobacco, put it back into the tin or pouch for future use.
Now that your pipe is properly packed, the next step will be to light it. You can how to do this with our guide to properly lighting a tobacco pipe.
Common Pipe Packing Issues
Packing a pipe may sometimes come across as an unusual and conter-intuitive process if you’re not used to it. However, the above technique endeavours to provide a reliable consistency in the tobacco, which reduces the need for relights.
Nevertheless, there are some common pitfalls that can happen to both novices and experienced pipe smokers alike!
The Pipe’s Draw Is Too Hard
A tight draw is often linked to packing the pipe too strongly or not following the proper technique. If the draw is too hard, you may have performed too few layers or tamped too hard.
Using the method outlined above can reduce the chances of this problem and improve the draw.
However, if the draw is always too hard, consider taking your pipe apart and inspecting the stem and draught hole. The chances are that you may have a blocage that is prevent air from passing.
My Pipe Keeps Going Out
There are a number of reasons that can cause a pipe to extinguish mid-smoke. Sometimes, this is due to the smoking technique. However, most of the time it’s caused by inconsistent packing.
If you’ve followed our packing guide properly, make sure that you properly char the tobacco before the true light as detailed in our pipe lighting guide. Similarly, make sure that it’s fully lit when you remove the flame.
Nevertheless, it’s very common for pipes to go out at least once or twice during a bowl. Therefore, don’t be too worried about it happening every now and again.
Best Pipe Tools To Buy Online
As mentioned above, we highly recommend using a tool for packing and lighting your pipe. If you have yet to buy one, you can peruse our recommendations below:
- Lighter With Tools: IM Corona Old Boy
- Branded Tool: Colibri Sherlock
- Mid-Range: Scotte Rosewood Pipe Tool
- Cheapest: Czech Pipe Tool
- Modern Design: Fulushou Pressure Bar
- Most Ornate: Jifeng Arabesque Pipe Tool
Scroll down to see them all or jump ahead using the links above.
- Country Of Origin: Japan
- Flame: Soft
- Number Of Flames: 1
- In-Built Tools: Yes
- Finish: Brass Or Chrome
- Price: $115 – $200 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Overview
Although by far the most expensive item on this list, the IM Corona Old Boy comes highly recommended. With its seamlessly in-built tools, the Old Boy is much more than an attractive and ornate lighter.
A tamp slides out from the base and can be twisted and locked into place. However, it can also be pulled out entirely to reveal a tip for scraping and poking tobacco.
An Old Boy can cost as little as $115 for chrome models. Meanwhile, the full-brass version tend to fetch nearly $200.
- Country Of Origin: Italy
- Portable: Yes
- Number Of Tools: 3
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Plastic
- Price: $30 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Overview
If brand loyalty is important to you, Colibri’s convenient pipe tool is a great option. Furthermore, it probably offers the best quality compared to the other options listed here.
Designed in the style of a Swiss Army pocket knife, the tools fold into a metal plastic coated body. It also comes with a key ring for extra convenience and portability.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Portable: Yes
- Number Of Tools: 3
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Rosewood
- Price: $10 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Overview
A sleeker variation of a classic design, Scotte’s pipe tool is designed with the tamper built into the body. It’s quite weighty and feels solid in the hand.
The arms securely snap into place when opened to avoid accidentally closures. For a more elegant and portable pipe tool, this is a great option.
- Country Of Origin: Czech Republic
- Portable: Yes
- Number Of Tools: 3
- Material: Die-Cast Metal
- Finish: Chrome
- Price: $5 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Overview
Bear little attention to the brand name as Czech pipe tools are well-known as being the most rudimentary and affordable ones on the market. Made from die-cast metal, they’re solid for some decent use but the chrome finish will eventually chip away.
As pipe tools go, these are the best ones for beginners to buy so they can easily start smoking pipes. While they’re very lightweight and quite portable, they’re not the most elegant tools. Therefore, if you’re looking for something more presentable, we’d recommend the models above.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Portable: No
- Number Of Tools: 2
- Material: Plated Copper
- Finish: Acrylic
- Price: $12 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Overview
An attractive pipe tool for using at home, Fulushou has offers a range of acrylic-handled designs. Made from copper, the tool is has a weighty feel with a wide tamping base.
Furthermore, the tamp is perforated to avoid the pipe being extinguished while it can be unscrewed to reveal a poker in the handle.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Portable: No
- Number Of Tools: 2
- Material: Copper Metal
- Finish: Chrome Or Brass
- Price: $18 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Overview
Very similar to the Fulushou pressure bar above, the Fijeng version is a more ornate version inspired by Arabic jewellery with an engraved scrolling effect. An all-copper build, it can be purchased with either a vintage chrome or brass version.
What Next?
Now that you have learned how to properly pack a tobacco pipe, take a look out our related guides:
"Really easy to follow, thanks! I just bought a pipe and it kept going out. This guide really helped me learn how to load it properly."Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★
I found this guide to be so helpful and thorough. Thank you so very much for sharing this information on pipes and tobacco.
Hi Joe,
Many thanks for the kind words! Delighted that the article proved useful!
All the best,
CP
I really enjoyed reading this guide as it gives a lot of helpful info
Delighted that it was helpful! It was hard work to put together!
Superb website! Thank you and Bravo! Godspeed! Steve
Thanks, Steve!
Dear C-P,
What type of pipe tool do you use?
I’ve fond memories of when my grandpa puffed on a pipe… I bought a pipe years ago at Lake Placid, and had no luck lighting it.. Now, years later, and in quarantine, I’ll give it a go thanks to your info.
A female,
Patricia
Hi Pat,
I like the use the Oldboy but usually I just use my trusty Czech pipe tool instead! It’s cheap as chips and works like a charm!
Sounds like a wonderful memory and a great reason to give it a go. Feel free to leave any comments if you have any problems or questions.
All the best,
CP
good article but wood matches are better than a pipe lighter
Thanks! It’s a personal preference, really. I often use matches for both pipes and cigars. In fact, I tend to prefer cedar splints. However, many people will find lighters more convenient.
All the best,
CP
I picked up my pipe(s) after being away for several years and was having issues having to relight too often. I decided to look up the proper technique and found I was packing the tobacco too tight. After practicing what I learned in this article I finally had a couple enjoyable smokes. Thanks for helping me out….????
Great to hear. Delighted that we helped you!
I just finished reading the complete guide on properly smoking a pipe. I’m testing out everything I learned reading your articles with a bowl as in writing this and…WOW. This has completely changed my smoking experience. 1000% improvement! Thank you, I’m sharing this with a few of my friends.
Steven,
Glad you came across this guide and that it’s improved your experience so significantly! Also, thanks for the share. We have a ton of other Pipe Tobacco content if you’re looking for more educational resources. This is the top page (https://bespokeunit.com/pipes/) that will lead you down our different guides.
Rafael
Many thanks for taking the time to write this article. As they say in many British crafts & trades “Poor preperation leads to p**s poor results” Preperation is paramount.
Appreciate your feedback! Agreed, with pipe smoking the preparation is key in achieving a pleasurable experience. I’d argue the time spent preparing is an enjoyable part of it as well… kind of like a peaceful ritual.
Rafael
There is so much good information in these pages, essential for anyone starting out to smoke a pipe. The information on ‘how to pack a pipe’ was particularly good.
Many thanks! We have a ton more guides on pipes and tobacco – feel free to check them out.
Rafael