I’ve got a decent sized collection of pipes and tobacco now but not enough pipes to dedicate one to every different pipe tobacco I have. What I’ve done instead is designated certain pipes for certain types of pipe tobacco. I’ve got a couple pipes devoted to Virginia/burley blends, one for vanilla and cavendish blends, one for fruity aromatic blends, a few for heavier blends and a few for flakes. Is this a good way to minimize the effects of the last tobacco smoked in a pipe on the next one used in it? Also, can a briar be used more than once a day, or every other day?

@TomStrasbourg That seems to be the most normal way of arranging a pipe rotation. I have some dedicated to Lakelands and some to English / Latakia / orientals. Plus a couple of basket pipes and a cob that I try different tobaccos in. On the subject of a briar being used more than once a day that is the subject of much debate on pipe forums. Some say a briar should be rested for at least 24 hours after being smoked; some say several days; some say its fine to smoke the same pipe several times in a day as long as you let it cool down between smokes. Once upon a time most normal people only had one or two pipes and smoked them all day every day. That did not seem to cause any problems for them. I think it is mainly a matter of personal taste.

I think pipes appeal to us slightily ocd people. If you know what I mean.

@bob I know what you mean. Like if I’m smoking celtic talisman I have to take some pinches of the celtic talisman snuff before. Also the whole rotation thing and not using a pipe I’ve smoked the day previously unless it’s a cob or basket pipe.

Most pipes can handle being smoked more than once a day. You will be able to tell when the pipe needs a rest, because the quality of the smoke will diminish. Just keep your pipes clean, and you’ll be fine.

Good to know. On the subject of OCD relating to pipe smoking, am I the only one who won’t smoke Nightcap before 8PM or Early Morning Pipe after 10 AM?

I’ve noticed that I tend to smoke certain tobaccos in certain pipes, due to the way that pipe smokes or because tobacco “A” packs and lights better in pipe “C”… but I don’t think I have enough pipes or tobacco variety to do any real dedication to specific blends or genres. I do try to let my pipes rest, at least overnight, just because I’m terrified to ruin them (not so much the cobs…) But generally, I just smoke the tobacco I want to smoke in whatever pipe looks good to me in that moment.

Stronger nicotine tobaccos in smaller pipes. Weaker ones in bigger pipes. Other than that Lakelands and heavy latakia blends go to dedicated pipes.

Good to know. On the subject of OCD relating to pipe smoking, am I the only one who won’t smoke Nightcap before 8PM or Early Morning Pipe after 10 AM?

10AM??? You should never smoke EMP after 7AM!

In the short time that I have been pipe smoking I have accumulated about 30 pipes, about equally split between cobs and briars. There is really no set schedule or rotation for me, I do have a couple that normally get used for flakes but other than that most anything goes. Very few aromatics get smoked so I do not have to worry about that and I guess the only thing I am semi strict about is cleaning them. They always get a pipe cleaner afterwards and a little alcohol wash every 3 or 4 smokes, and with so many they get more rest than I do.

Smoke ghosting tobaccos in a meerschaum or clay. as for resting unless it is gurgeling or spitting tar at you it good. Smoking wet tobacco means more dottel and wet pipe so once and done. Tobacco that finishes to no dottel 3 bowls daily,It is best to ream the shank before filling and send a pipe cleaner down the stem while resting.Never remove the stem while hot. I carry three pipes for rotation for 3 days and then a different three. If I have time I run a cleaner dipped in mouthwash threw the stem. Some tobacco you need to air out over night some just 15 to 30 minutes, others are good to go. keep your cake trimmed. cold weather be weary not to let your pipe cool off too fast.

Good to know. On the subject of OCD relating to pipe smoking, am I the only one who won’t smoke Nightcap before 8PM or Early Morning Pipe after 10 AM?

10AM??? You should never smoke EMP after 7AM!

I smoke it all day sometimes. EMP is definitely one of the finest tobac’s every made. I used to rotate and such but all that got too much work. The main exception is that I have one pipe dedicated to the couple of aro’s i have. Never mix aromatics with standard tobacco’s. It’s a free for all with the rest. Quality tobacco tends to be the key to my happyness. I do agree with the old adage of Va’s in small pipes and English/balkans in big bowls though.

Honestly, my rotation was to smoke the same pipe, as long as it was the same type tobacco, in one day, then let it rest for a week. I have enough pipes dedicated also, but I found using a different pipe everytime I smoked didnt give the pipes the amount of rest I wanted. So I just decided that if I was going to smoke Three Oaks Syrian, lets say, I would get out my Bowsell pipe for that mix and use it as long as it was that mix or something similar all day. Then it would get cleaned and benched for a week. Is this needed? No, but it helps, plus got to always be safe, especially if it is a nice pipe selection, which I may be needing to get rid of some of these Boswell pipes.

Va’s/Burleys/Lat blends The tobaccos that are scented or that are most frequently smoked get dedicated pipes