So when do you dump?

When the ash gets so dense from tamping that it smothers the burning tobacco.When you are having problems keeping the pipe lit ... assuming it is properly packed. When it has become so thick or dense that you can no longer relight. When you do have to dump, only dump about half of the ash then lightly tamp the ash back down and relight. Please be safe when dumping ash. Almost certainly a few hot tobacco embers will leave with the ash that could burn your favorite smoking jacket ... or worst.

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