issues with uneven burn from top to bottom

[jonogt]

i've been shopping around for a mid range briar pipe, but in the meantime, i've started occasionally using one that i made in a woodworking class a few years back. It's almost a joke, but it does work i suppose. i'll pack a bowl reasonably tight, light it up, and for the first half of it, it constantly extinguishes itself, regardless of how fast/hot i smoke it. after i tamp it down a few times, and get down to the lower half of the bowl, it's wonderful. I went for a walk, leaving my lighter, and didn't relight it for 15 minutes, sometimes not puffing for 30 seconds+ at a time.

does anyone know what could be the cause of this? i'd expect it to be the oppisite, as the burn is closer to open air when its at the top.

[Jay]

actually chances are it might be cooler at the top. Once it's down to the half way point the walls of the pipe itself most likely hold in the heat, kind of like an oven effect.

But this is just a guess from me, not a pipe guy yet

[jonogt]

that could be right... good thought. the bowl is about 7/8 to 1" dia and 1.25" deep i forgot to mention.

thanks
-Jon

[Nooner]

Might just be that you are packing your bowl a little too tightly for the tobacco that you are using. I find that I pack my more moist(aromatic) tobaccos looser than my drier(english) - it might also be that you are not letting the pipe rest long enough between smoking sessions.

I still haven't figured everything out yet, but the good thing is that pipe smoking is so very forgiving that you can relight to your heart's content, and allowing your pipe to go out doesn't hurt like with a cigar.

Good Luck, maybe if you post up the tobacco you are using(to get advice from the board) or visit your local tobaconist for advice how tightly to pack that tobacco if it is a local blend?

[jonogt]

it is an aromatic.. fairly moist, but i can't be sure what one exactly. it came from a friend when i told him i might be interested in trying a pipe. i only smoke the pipe once on the weekends or every few days. the tightness of the bowl might be right, but the strange thing is, the bottom of the bowl, where it is burning so great, is packed so tight that i can't even tamp it down anymore. Could it have something to do with the bowl being to big? i've been smoking the same bowl for probably a total of over an hour and a half with no end in sight.