What is your lighting style?

[6clicks]

I too prefer to prelight the foot before putting the cigar to my lips. I puff while torching and then check the foot for an even burn. I can certainly understand the use of wood matches and slowly toasting the foot as it's all part of the rituals of really enjoying a quality stick but I most ofter just like to get it lit. I'm just not able to discern any difference from slowly toasting and torching. I'm not arguing that there is no difference, I just haven't been ablt to detect it.

[Dom]

I hold the cigar so I can toast the foot with a torch, while looking at it. Then once the whole foot it glowing, i give it a few puffs and see where I missed, and most times i have to touch up somewhere.

I try to take good care during the light because a good or bad light can really set the tone for the burn throughout the rest of the smoke.

[F4n4tic]

I use a simple butane lighter. Actually I use the zippo butane thing a ma bob. You know the butane thing for the zippo.

[guy g]

Me, it's mostly a Zippo.

[PerpetualNoob]

I know it's 'wrong', but it works for me. I use a torch lighter, and really just char the Hell out of the end until it starts giving off wisps of smoke, then I go around the edges to make sure the wrapper is lit all the way around. This probably takes 30-45 seconds. Then I put it in my mouth, hold the lighter about 6" below the foot, and give it a good hard 10-12 puffs, rotating it as I do. There's 4-inch flames and black smoke shooting out the end of it. Then I let it sit for a couple of minutes and it's ready to smoke. I just treat the first 1/8" or so as 'sacrificial'.

Zino would not approve!! (a little cigar 101)

[Koolpsych]

Uh oh after reading this thread I think I may be doing it wrong. I use a cigarette lighter (bic) and preheat the entire end of the cigar. I then apply the flame directly to the end of my cigar while rotating the cigar in my mouth taking small puffs. After, I use the lighter to fix up any uneven burn.

I notice everyone else here uses torch lighters and people are advised to not use anything but butane, but I thought that is is butane in the cigarette lighter.

[nativetexan_1]

Butane, single torch lighter. I heat/char the outer edge of the foot then light the center of the foot while taking 2-3 long draws while applying heat to the foot. Check to make sure the foot is lit, and touch up if necessary.

[QWKDTSN]

Newbie here so I thought I'd check in with how I've been doing it, based on what I've read so far.

Clip the cap, check the draw and get a taste. Toast the whole foot until it's blackened. Let it sit for a minute while I get myself an adult beverage. Light up, rotating the cigar while I puff away. Blow the smoke at the lit end to check that the whole foot is glowing. Then I purge the cigar for about 5 seconds by blowing out through it and let it rest for a minute before taking my first real puff. (I have been using a plain Zippo - I know, I know! I have a triple flame jet lighter coming in the mail - so far I haven't detected any bad flavors from the Zippo fuel so this tactic must be working)

Sound good?

[defcon3]

Originally Posted by QWKDTSN

(I have been using a plain Zippo - I know, I know! I have a triple flame jet lighter coming in the mail - so far I haven't detected any bad flavors from the Zippo fuel so this tactic must be working)

Sound good?

As long as it lights up, I would say so

I use a tri-flame torch and once the end of the cigar is glowing bright red, I start puffing...

[mistabman]

Originally Posted by Koolpsych

Uh oh after reading this thread I think I may be doing it wrong. I use a cigarette lighter (bic) and preheat the entire end of the cigar. I then apply the flame directly to the end of my cigar while rotating the cigar in my mouth taking small puffs. After, I use the lighter to fix up any uneven burn.

I notice everyone else here uses torch lighters and people are advised to not use anything but butane, but I thought that is is butane in the cigarette lighter.

Do not worry, bic's are butane lighters (soft flame), so you're good there. There are some people who prefer a soft flame light (a la matches) over that of a butane torch. Some people (including myself) just find torches to be cooler and faster to light. Once lit though, I don't see how you could tell a difference. Puff on!

[RicoPuro]

Originally Posted by Azo

I prefer to fully light the cigar prior to taking a puff.
Usually I will use a butane torch, although a wooden match (or two) will work, too. I slowly apply the flame to the foot until it appears thoroughly lit. A gently blow on the foot, to see that it glows uniformly red. A bit more torch if needed until a uniformly lit foot is achieved.

Once the foot appears to be uniformly lit by the "blow-test," its time for a puff.

Agree with this method and I take it a step beyond. I wait until al of this occurs before cutting the head and then taking the first puff. If you use a good quality torch, the entire ritual takes no more than a couple of minutes.