Well it finally happened - Tongue bite

Its really a matter of finding what you like and how wet a blend is. Obviously different blends have different moisture content. So how long to dry will vary. Then you have the part where you learn how dry you like your tobacco and even then what pipe to use. All of this plays a roll in making for that perfect smoke and it can only be learned through a lot of practice.

I can honestly say it does help. I had a food item bang up my mouth a bit and pipe smoking was not enjoyable. Biotene helped, not a complete cure but helped in me being able to enjoy a quiet moment.

There are many ways to manage tongue bite. 1) Don't pack too tight. Pulling hard always draws heat in. 2) After you light and take a few puffs, run a pipe cleaner through the stem and shank into the bowl. This frees up the flow tremendously and you can make lighter draws giving you more flavor with less puff. 3) Use narrower bowls. Less surface for the heat to develop on.

Hope this helps. Happy puffing

Tongue bite is when your mouth feels like a burnt/singed rug. It is painful and is what causes many new pipers to abandon the effort.

Glad I haven't experienced this.  The closest I come is a slight discomfort similar to drinking coffee that's too hot.

I'm not going anywhere, I enjoy my pipe to dang much to let this dissuade me! I just thought it ironic that with my relative inexperience, (read basically a noob) I hadn't ever really gotten it. Slight soreness like described above till now, and this time isn't really all that bad.

I do want to experiment with drying times a bit, I've read some actually put the tobacco on a pie tin or cookie sheet and toast it in the oven for a bit to dry it. Not thinking I'll go that far but its intriguing.

Also, I may be over packing. I tend to think I need it firm to keep it lit, but I do notice the draw is harder sometimes because of that. I'll pack lighter on the next pipe, and play with that as well.

The pack lightly, or lighter than you might assume, theory depends on careful tamping during the smoke; not too much but an appropriate amount to keep your smoke progressing. At least that is my experience.
The two things that helped me to more enjoyable smokes we’re packing lighter and realizing that tamping is more than an affectation.
Good luck with your journey!

and when tamping, draw in at the same time, it helps the burn and releases a bit of nicotine.

That is the way it goes with me also, I can smoke a latakia blend like a freight train and I will never get tongue bite, inattention to cadence while smoking many Virginia's, and I am going to get bitten.

Sadly, we don't currently own a microwave. When we get one in the near future I might give that a try.For now I might try leaving some in an open tin or plate inside my BBQ where it will get heat from the sun without being exposed to the sun. I never use the thing anyhow so It might as well get SOME purpose. Other than that its either the oven or just air dry. 

imo, your letting this drying issue occupy too much of your time. Have you tried a pouch of Carter Hall or Prince Albert? Either one will be at the right moisture level, will burn evenly without fuss and allow you to enjoy your pipe.

So your saying that I’m not normal lol 😜🤪😜👅🧙🏼‍♂️

My mind is here, but my body may be in wizardland. You never know!
And my fingers on this stupid iPhone are all over the place. Typing isn’t like it used to be.📠⌨️Lol🧙🏼‍♂️

I'm pretty sure everything I have right now is Virginia heavy except maybe the navy flake. After some reflection I am also thinking I've been having a very mild bite every smoke. My tongue is always mildly irritated, but not to the degree that it truly bothers me. I'll get some new stuff tomorrow and ask questions to make sure it has little to no Virginia in it.

Kind of a bummer if that ends up being the case, When I smoked my pipe in the 90's I used to buy a bulk blend at a tobacco shop in Lancaster Mall Salem Oregon, T Whittakers if I remember correctly. They literally called that blend Virginia Aromatic. I really liked it.