Burn Issues

[mrsmitty]

So far every cigar I've smoked out of my coolidor I've had burn issues with every cigar. I finally had to trash my only Oliva V because the sucker wouldn't stay lit, I probably lit the thing 10 times it would only stay lit in the very center, and similar burn issues with every other cigar. I have 1 1/2 lbs of 65% heartfelt beads in a 48 quart cooler that is completely full, I have all wooden boxes & spanish cedar lineing the bottom, my hygrometer is ready 64-65 % constantly and I store them in my basement which stays pretty cool 68-70 year round. I'm getting a bit discouraged lately, enough that I don't even want to light up a cigar knowing I'm going to have issues.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[DSturg369]

Try "dry-boxing" a few and see how they smoke, or even letting a couple sit out in the open air for a few hours (or several hours even). If they smoke "better" I'd recheck your cooler set-up. If not, we'll go from there.

[Sigarz]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

Try "dry-boxing" a few and see how they smoke, or even letting a couple sit out in the open air for a few hours (or several hours even). If they smoke "better" I'd recheck your cooler set-up. If not, we'll go from there.

was gonna say the same thing!

[Herf N Turf]

If the cooler is completely full, you've likely got some sticks in there that are way too moist. While the ambient air might be 65% that doesnt mean that the sticks have settled to that. You havent been at this long enough for them to have settled down. With that many cigars, it's likely going to take a couple months. In the mean time, take the dry box advice. Put a couple sticks in there for three days and revisit. I'll bet that fixes your problem.

[scottw]

What you describe is "tunneling" which will cause the middle to burn and the wrapper doesn't. Sounds like you need to take a seperate humi and fill it with some sticks for the week and drybox.

[e-man]

How long has this cooler been running?

How long do you rest your sticks before you smoke them?


Sounds like you may have different humidity at the center of the stick, compared to the outer layer(s).

[mrsmitty]

I've had the coolidor for a month, month & a half. I'll try dry boxing some sticks thanks guys.

[Stench]

Originally Posted by mrsmitty

I've had the coolidor for a month, month & a half. I'll try dry boxing some sticks thanks guys.

I've been having some similar problems, will try this also. Frustrating to say the least!

[e-man]

Originally Posted by mrsmitty

I've had the coolidor for a month, month & a half. I'll try dry boxing some sticks thanks guys.

Your definitely need more time for everything to stabilize. Keep your boxes open inside the cooler to let the humidity equalize faster, and try to smoke your oldest sticks first.

I've said it before. The day I stopped smoking new sticks was the day I stopped having burn issues. I like to let them rest 6 months before touching them.

[Rev2010]

Originally Posted by e-man

The day I stopped smoking new sticks was the day I stopped having burn issues. I like to let them rest 6 months before touching them.

I've had plenty of sticks straight out of the UPS box with no problem whatsoever. I would hate to have to wait six months to smoke anything new I buy. I'm not that patient! lol


Rev.

[mrsmitty]

No way in the world would I have enough room to have my boxes opened, I don't think you understand how full my cooler is lol.

[Stench]

I'd been holding off getting some of the cedar trays to replace my recycled cigar boxes. Guess I need to do that sooner than later...

[mrsmitty]

Your goal is light the end as evenly as possible. When lighting the cigar, it is best when you apply as little of the flame to the end of the cigar as possible. This will prevent the tobacco from getting charred, or carbonized, and imparting an unpleasant taste unto it. To do this, hold the flame about 2 inches away from the cigar, and slowly draw long puffs of air through the cigar. The flame should jump up to the cigar. With each new puff, rotate the cigar about a quarter of a turn. Continue this for 4-5 puffs and then inspect your work. If there is a tiny unlit spot, you can blow on it to accelerate the glowing coal to drift over to it. Then, take one or two steady puffs and then leave the cigar alone for at least 2 minutes, as the first 1/8th to 3/16th of ash builds. You have laid the foundation of a cigar that will burn perfectly

Anyone agree with this? I dry boxed a hand full of stogies in a nice wooden box with a tight seal since Tuesday and again had I think my third cigar out of the dry boxing tunnel on me. My hygro is reading 59% in the dry box?

[Herf N Turf]

"nice wooden box"? Made of what? It needs to be porous wood like ummm.... spanish cedar. Also, 59% is too moist to get a good dry box effect. At that RH, you'd need to leave them in there for two weeks. You should look for a hygro reading in the mid-low 50's and be using a porous wood. Not hardwood.

Keep at it.

[mrsmitty]

Its a san cristobal box?