What is the ideal moisture level for pipe tobacco? Or does it really matter?
Unlike cigars, which experts agree should be kept within a humidity range of 68 to 75 percent, pipe tobacco isn't so easily pegged. The difficulty is due to the wide range of tobacco types and blends, the smoking qualities of different pipes, and even the different preferences of individual smokers.
Even though it is difficult to identify a universal moisture level for pipe tobacco, most pipe smokers agree that when tobacco gets too dry or too wet, it is less enjoyable to smoke.
When tobacco is overly dry, it has a tendency to burn too easily and quickly. This produces an excessively hot smoke, which reduces the flavors and can create uncomfortable temperatures in the mouth. Although less common, a pipe that is burning too hot can also lead to burnout or other damage.
Conversely, when tobacco is too moist, it burns poorly and the pipe goes out frequently. This often causes the smoker to puff harder and draw deeper, which is a sure-fire recipe for tongue bite. The excess moisture can also cause a pipe to gurgle (a bubbling sound caused by moisture buildup in the shank and/or stem). Excess moisture, just like excessive dryness, also diminishes the flavor or taste of the tobacco.
As I mentioned above, the various types of tobacco and different blends may require varying levels of moisture for an optimum smoking experience. So you'll probably have to do some experimenting to find the right combination of factors for your own personal habits and pipes. But finding a balance that avoids either extreme of too dry or too moist is worth the trial and error.
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