Pack It Right: Grind & Packing for Smoother Pulls | Canu Essentials

A good pipe can only do so much if the bowl is packed wrong. Airflow starts with the grind and ends with how you set the herb in the bowl. Nail those two and pulls stay smooth, flavor stays clean, and you won’t need to torch the same spot twice.

Grind size that just works
Go for a medium grind—think coarse sea salt, not powder. Too fine and the screen clogs; too chunky and hot spots form. If you’re using the Spark Pipe from Canu Essentials, a medium grind lets heat pass through evenly while the 9 mm stainless mesh stops debris.

Light tamp, don’t stuff
Sprinkle herb into the bowl and tap the side to settle. Finish with a light press using your fingertip or the cap—just enough to level the surface. A tight pack looks tidy but chokes the airway and tastes harsh.

Test airflow before you light
Draw once without flame. If the pull feels tight, lift out a pinch and level again. If it’s whistling and too open, add a touch more and tamp lightly.

Keep the screen clean
Screens don’t block airflow—dirty screens do. Swap or rinse your stainless mesh when the draw starts to feel slow. In daily use, the push-to-eject design on Spark keeps the bowl floor cleaner, which helps your screen last longer.

Troubleshooting quick hits

• Harsh taste: grind is dusty or the cap is buried too deep.
• Uneven burn: load was mounded up; level the surface.
• Tight draw after one session: swap or rinse the screen.

Dialing in these small things removes most of the “why does this hit rough?” mystery. Pack right and the pipe does the rest.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is educational and general in nature. It is not legal advice or health/medical advice. Laws and policies change—confirm with official sources and do your own research before you buy, travel, or consume.