PIPE CARE 101 : BREAKING IN A NEW PIPE

It is important to break-in a pipe in order to ensure that it lasts and offers an enjoyable
experience. Some people find that a pipe smokes great from the first smoke while others feel
that it takes as many as 20 bowls before a pipe smokes well. What isn't personal and subjective is
that for protection against overheating and burnout, a pipe should have a lining of carbon at least
the thickness of a dime. Building up this cake is called "breaking in" a pipe.

Brigham pipes come with a unique protective coating in the bowl to assist the buildup of carbon
and offer extra protection during the breaking in period. Adding a thin coating of honey to the
inside of the bowl prior to first use will also speed up the process of carbon build-up. For the first
few smokes, alternate between half-filled bowls of tobacco and fully filled bowls until an even
cake has developed, being certain never to let the bowl become too hot. If it feels uncomfortably
warm when held against your cheek, this means briar is in danger of burning and the pipe should
be rested.

PACKING AND LIGHTING

Filling

A pipe-full of tobacco that burns evenly without going out can only be obtained by careful
packing. If the tobacco is packed too loosely, it will burn too quickly, overheating the pipe and
likely burning your tongue. If the tobacco is packed too tightly, you will have difficulty drawing
on the pipe and keeping it lit. Use the following procedure to pack a bowl:

1) Take a pinch of tobacco and loosely trickle into the tobacco chamber until it is full. Tap the
side of the bowl repeatedly until the tobacco is settles to the bottom.

2) Using a tamper or your finger, press the tobacco down until it evenly fills the bottom 1/3 to
of the bowl. The tobacco should have some spring left in it but should be pressed down enough
to form a flat top surface. Test to make sure you can still draw air easily through the stem. If not,
empty and repeat but packing the tobacco a bit more loosely.

3) Repeat filling this process until the pipe is as full as you want it. Each time you add a layer of
tobacco, draw on the pipe to ensure that you have not packed it too tightly. At each stage, there
should be more resistance in the draw, with the final draw about as firm as drinking a milkshake
though a straw.
 Lighting

Lighting a pipe may be done with just about any flame although many prefer something taste-
neutral such as a butane lighter (not a torch) or a match. Whatever the choice in ignitor, lighting
should be done thusly:

A) Move the flame over top of the tobacco in a circular motion in order to ensure the full top
layer is lit. While moving the flame, draw on the pipe using long slow puffs. As you do this, the
lit tobacco will rise out of the bowl. This is called the Charring Light.

B) After the charring light, tamp down the tobacco until it is flat again. Do not push so hard that
you make it difficult to draw, just enough to even out the top.

C) Using a circular lighting motion and long slow puffs again to relight the pipe. Gently tamp
this ash down while puffing and your pipe should be well lit. If not, repeat from step B.

Make sure that you light all of the tobacco, not just one side. This will help you keep the pipe lit
and will avoid overheating one area of the pipe.

Smoking

Smoke your pipe gently and evenly. Puffing too vigorously will burn your tongue and may
cause damage to the bowl from overheating. If the bowl becomes too hot to hold against your
cheek, you need to set your pipe down and let it cool. After the pipe has cooled, you may relight
it.

If you feel your pipe is about to go out, tamp down your ash and place two fingers over the
bowl while drawing. This localizes the draft and aids in the relighting of your pipe without the
use of a flame.

Occasionally you may want to remove some of the accumulated ash in the bowl. Use your pick
and gently loosen the ash without disturbing the tobacco. Dump the ash out and, holding the
bowl in your hand, tap the pipe on a soft surface. This is called fluffing out the pipe. DO NOT
HOLD THE PIPE BY THE STEM WHEN TAPPING OUT. This could cause the shank or the
stem to break.

For best results, only smoke a clean and dry pipe. A pipe should be allowed to rest at least 24 to
48 hours before smoking it again. Briar can become foul if not cared for. See Preventative
Maintenance (below) for how to clean your pipe.

Preventative Maintenance

Proper care and cleaning are a major factor in the life span of a pipe. Done well and consistently,
it can preserve a pipe for generations. Failure to do so will often cause the eventual ruin of even
the most well made pipe.
 Rules to live by

Pipes require a certain amount of care in order to keep them fresh. Follow these basic rules and
you should be able to keep your pipe in good order.

1. Rest your pipe between smokes no matter how much you like it.

2. Run a pipe cleaner through your pipe after each smoke. It is recommended that you continue
to run pipe cleaners through the stem and shank until the cleaner comes out clean. When the pipe
has cooled, you may gently twist the stem off the bowl and clean more thoroughly.

3. If your pipe has a filter, follow the pipe maker's instructions regarding when to replace it or if
possible, how to clean it.

4. Depending on how often you smoke your pipe you may need to use a pipe freshener
(available at any reputable tobacconist) to remove tar and smoking residue that builds up in the
smoking channel of your pipe. Separate the stem from the shank and using a pipe cleaner dipped
in pipe freshener, run it through the stem. Run dry pipe cleaners through thew stem until they all
come out clean. Repeat this with the shank of the pipe (the briar arm into which the pipe is
inserted). Allow at least two days for the pipe too dry completely before smoking it again. Do
not allow freshener to spill on the outside of the bowl as it may affect the finish.

5. Ensure that you do not leave wet tobacco bits (dottle) in the bowl after a smoke. Gently
remove them with a bent pipe cleaner, pipe spoon or other blunt (i.e. not sharp) instrument.

6. You definitely want an even layer of carbon to build up in the bowl of your pipe. This helps
protect the wood from excessive heat and makes the smoke cooler. Ensure the cake does not get
more than the thickness of about a nickel - a thick cake can cause the bowl itself to crack or split.

7. Store your pipe away from direct sunlight, fluorescent or strong incandescent lights as this
will fade a vulcanite stem, leaving it bitter tasting.

8. Do not attempt to clean a Vulcanite pipe stem with water. This will cause serious discoloration
and an awful taste which can only be removed by a professional. If you are unsure about whether
your pipe is Vulcanite or not, err on the side of caution.

9. Avoid smoking your pipe where there is a draft or wind. This movement of air can cause
your tobacco to burn quickly and hotter increasing the potential for burnout.

10. Do not empty the pipe by holding the stem and banding the bowl on a hard surface. This will
cause stress to the pipe and eventually cause it to break, fracture or split.

11. Use a proper pipe reamer with no sharp or pointed edges to remove excess carbon. Uneven
removal of cake or accidental puncture of the inside of the bowl will create weak spots that may
become susceptible to burnout.