first pipe

[skeeter]

Fair enough statement. Many people say you should sip a pipe, not hoover it down.
If the bowl is too hot to comfortably hold, you are smoking too fast.
In general, Virginia's burn hotter.
A filter, whether charcoal or balsa wood (my favorite) can also help against bite.
Don't worry if you have to relight it multiple times, it's not an issue.