General Thoughts on Smoking in the Cold

[HRPuffinStuff-cr]

I have only been avidly smoking fine cigars since the spring and early summer of 2008. It was so nice to sit outside after work and smoke a nice cigar, it helped curb my appetite and helped me lose a couple dozen pounds. I found that most often, I'd rather smoke than eat.

Well now it's transitioned into winter, and I freaking hate it.

Up at my hunting cabin, I simply smoke indoors and don't really GAFF if I stink up the place or myself. It's so nice to just kick back and watch a football game, puff on a cigar, and slurp on a beer.

But I don't want to stink up my home downstate. I set up a smoking lounge in my breezeway but it's so damn cold out there. I simply can't enjoy my cigar. Then, smoking outside, it seems like the cigar is so much more harsh, and the wrappers crack and fall apart.

How do you guys deal with it?

Do you worry about shipments of cigars sitting outside in the cold?

Do you worry that your cigars are stored in too cold of an ambient?

(My house is only 58-60 degrees in the winter.)

I apologize for ranting and venting. I'm kind of new at this cigar smoking hobby and have learned to REALLY HATE WINTER, and it's only begun.

[CRider]

Smoking out in the cold sucks. Went for a walk last night, took a 3Siglos Fuma with me and it sucked. Now, they're not a GREAT cigar, but they're at least "ok". They definitely don't agree with the cold. I did seal my basement up & put ventilation in so I can smoke down there. I kick on a kerosene heater (got it for $50 closeout this spring) for about 15 minutes before I plan on going down and my basement is pretty much good to go. I can take my laptop down, or my xbox360, or a good book. Once I make the basement a little more secure, I'll prolly put a tv down there. I dunno if this is an option for you, but I dunno how I'd live without it now that they passed the smoking ban here in PA. The bar down the street does actually allow me to smoke my cigars still, but only after 9pm when the kitchen closes.

As to storage, my house stays about 65 through winter. My digital hygro shows 63 degrees and 62%...a little on the low side but they still smoke fine for me as long as I'm not walking outside in 35F and windy weather apparently I did recently put a humidifier in the room that my humidors are in, but I'm not really sure that's made much of a difference to be honest

[HeavyMetal-cr]

Yup. It just sucks right out loud. The only smoke even slightly immune to cold is a heavy broadleaf maduro and even then they'll still taste harsh because of the low RH. I pretty much just smoke on Fridays at the local during the winter. It's warm enuf and they keep the RH high enuf that cigars don't totally taste like sh1t. Occasionally I'll fire up the propane heater out on the sunporch and run a humidifier out there for an hour, but it's a small 11 x 15 room and anything much larger than a PC will choke you to death. Frozen water falling from the sky; what a great idea.

[redskinsfan34]

Originally Posted by HRPuffinStuff

I have only been avidly smoking fine cigars since the spring and early summer of 2008. It was so nice to sit outside after work and smoke a nice cigar, it helped curb my appetite and helped me lose a couple dozen pounds. I found that most often, I'd rather smoke than eat.

Well now it's transitioned into winter, and I freaking hate it.

Up at my hunting cabin, I simply smoke indoors and don't really GAFF if I stink up the place or myself. It's so nice to just kick back and watch a football game, puff on a cigar, and slurp on a beer.

But I don't want to stink up my home downstate. I set up a smoking lounge in my breezeway but it's so damn cold out there. I simply can't enjoy my cigar. Then, smoking outside, it seems like the cigar is so much more harsh, and the wrappers crack and fall apart.

How do you guys deal with it?

Do you worry about shipments of cigars sitting outside in the cold?

Do you worry that your cigars are stored in too cold of an ambient?

(My house is only 58-60 degrees in the winter.)

I apologize for ranting and venting. I'm kind of new at this cigar smoking hobby and have learned to REALLY HATE WINTER, and it's only begun.

HR You're not ranting. You're echoing my thoughts exactly! From being new to the cracking in the cold to the taste sucking in the cold. I was actually going to post on this subject but you beat me to it! Well done, Sir!

[HRPuffinStuff-cr]

It just seems abundantly clear why the art of rolling fine cigars seems to have centered around the tropical islands. Not just the ideal climate for GROWING TOBACCO, but also for SMOKING CIGARS.

Makes me jealous of all you Florida boys.

When I was a younger man, I used to LOVE winter. Skiing, snowshoeing, small game hunting, ice fishing. Loved it. Did it all.

Now winter just makes my creaky old bones ache.

Not to mention the daily PITA of shoveling.

Now I can't even enjoy a damn cigar.

*grumble*

*mutter*

[19redwings]

Another cold weather sufferer here.

Was able to smoke outdoors last week, but Sunday got really cold. About this time of year I end up in the garage with the door raised about a foot. I can usually get by without gloves when doing this.

I also switch to my shortest and cheapest smokes. so that way if I get too cold and have to chuck it I don't feel too guilty.

I installed a whole house humidifier during the winter of 06-07. It has made a considerable difference.


F-Winter!

[wilsondude]

I have a covered deck outside and keep a large propane heater out there with my television set it works up until the weather gets really cold. As long as it's above freezing, I'm good to go. After that, I just try to find some time for a quick smoke.

[randomhero1090]

I am very fortunate to have the CI Superstore and Lounge right down the road.

My bigger concern is storage. I have my cigars in the basement (temp is 61-63* down there). The RH has been between 67-69%, which is pretty decent. But I will say I have been hydrating my Heartfelt Beads at least once every 2 weeks. I'd love to move my smokes upstairs, but my wife would have a shit-fit, so i'd rather just deal with loading on the distilled water.

Remember, one of the driest places on Earth (Dry Valleys in Antarctica) is extremely cold. Extreme cold or warmth make it very hard to maintain RH. That's why 65-75* is the sweetspot.

My recommendation is to find a place that allows cigar smoking. Local B&M, bar, tavern, social club, etc. Then make plans to go there.

I go to the CI Lounge every Thursday for "Thursty Thursdays." Free cigars, free micro-brew beer samples, big leather chairs and WiFi. So I might not be smoking every day like I was in the spring/summer, but at least I am smoking 1-2 times per week in a "warm" environment.

[andrew_will1]

I have about a 35-45 minute commute depending on traffic. I usually squeeze on in on the ride home a couple of times a week. Plus I have a detached garage that may soon be promoted to my smoking area.....Man I can't wait for SUMMER!!!

[Iceman]

Find a good cigar shop/lounge in your area. I am very lucky to have a great B&M close by...



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Get yourself a hot tub like me....

[Python]

This is what I do:
1) Pick out a cigar from the humi
2) Cut the cigar
3) Light the cigar
4) Sit in the living room
5) Look out the window and say, "Damn, it's cold outside."

[Gonzo-cr]

Originally Posted by Python

This is what I do:
1) Pick out a cigar from the humi
2) Cut the cigar
3) Light the cigar
4) Sit in the living room
5) Look out the window and say, "Damn, it's cold outside."

+1

[anton]

Originally Posted by Python

This is what I do:
1) Pick out a cigar from the humi
2) Cut the cigar
3) Light the cigar
4) Sit in the living room
5) Look out the window and say, "Damn, it's cold outside."

for me, I'll add a step 6

6) Wife kicks my ass.

[riverdog-cr]

I'm one of those oddballs that really enjoys cold evening walks with a cigar and maybe a couple of the dogs....... but, the biggest issue of the cold for me is the unpredictability of the taste and burn. With that in mind, my after holiday winter project is going to be a smoking shelter on the back of my tool house. Been stewing on it and putting it off for a couple of years and now I have motivation.

[Darwin]

Not that we get cold weather like you do but I'd rather smoke indoors anyway no matter what the weather. I'm fortunate enough to have a man cave and a wife that doesn't hassle me about smoking up there. Four years ago my middle son joined the Army and the next day I started work turning his room into my guitar shop/hangout area.