How to Smoke a Pipe Video Series from The Pipe Nook!

Posted by Eddie Gray on Jan 26th 2017

I never thought I'd make a video series like this until very recently. I simply didn't think I'd have enough to share. But when I finally decided to attempt to script out a video that covered the basics of pipe smoking, I found that one video would be too long. So the idea grew to 2 videos, then 3, then 10. Hmmm....I guess I did have a few things to share!

After careful consideration of what pieces of the pipe smoking puzzle to include without overwhelming the viewer, I'm proud to present The Pipe Nook's "How to Smoke a Pipe" video series on YouTube! I'll be releasing a video each day until the end, and I'm already a couple of days into it. If you click the image above, it will take you to the Playlist for the series, which is scheduled to wrap up on Feb 18th. But not to worry--we're getting into the meat of the pipe smoking process within a few days. There are, of course, some preliminary subjects to cover first.

So, what topics will be covered? Here's the syllabus:

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Choosing Your First Pipe

Part 3: Choosing Your First Tobacco

Part 4: Pipe Smoking Tools

Part 5: Preparing Your Tobacco

Part 6: How to Pack Your Pipe

Part 7: The Charring Light

Part 8: Tamping

Part 9: The True Light

Part 10: Cadence and Temperature Control

Part 11: Relights

Part 12: Fixing a Tight Draw

Part 13: Fixing Pipe Gurgle

Part 14: In the Chuff

Part 15: When Do I Stop?

Part 16: Emptying and Cleaning Your Pipe

Part 17: Breaking in Your Pipes

Part 18: Types of Tobacco Blends

Part 19: Flake Preparation

Part 20: Types of Tobacco Cuts

Part 21: Resting Your Pipes

Part 22: Deep Cleaning Your Pipes

Part 23: Anatomy of a Pipe

Part 24: Tobacco Storage

Part 25: Conclusion

I've planned this series to give you just what you need to get started smoking, then return to some less essential, but certainly important concepts and aspects of pipe smoking. I'm of course no expert at all of these subjects, but I have at least cursory knowledge enough to speak to all of them, and I do feel they are all important. There is of course more to learn that what is covered here, should you decide pipe smoking is something you wish to pursue, but I wanted to keep this series down to a manageable size.

There is a companion piece to this series: A 1-page handout that I wrote in blog form some time back. You can find the link to that in the description box of any of the videos, as well as by searching through the "Pipe Smoking Tips" section of my Blog page. I sincerely hope this "How To" video series helps many to be less frustrated as they learn the pipe smoking process, and to find as much enjoyment in pipe smoking as I do!

Keep 'em lit,

Eddie Gray