Lighting cigars

[StlCards#1]

I have read all the posts and stickies about lighting cigars and "toasting" the cigars before lighting, but I continue to have my sticks burn unevenly. This has prompted me to ask a few questions and beg for input.

What are the best techniques you have found for properly toasting and lighting a cigar in order to acheive an even burn.

Any suggested "tricks of the trade"?

I am assuming that I will get better at the art of lighting a cigar as I smoke more and more sticks...or at least I hope so!

Thanks and I appreciate any input that anyone has to offer.

StlCards#1

[[OT] Loki]

you can try blowing on the cigar to spread out the flame if you get a bad light. I've been known to attack th part that isn't burning well with a match and see if I can even it out

[mikestod]

Does it only burn unevenly for only the first 1/2" or so? A properly constructed and humidified cigar should even itself out after a while. If its constantly canoeing then you probably have a poorly rolled stick, bad filler, or humidity issues with your humi. I had one the other day that lit fine and smoked fine until about 3/4 finished. Then it began behaving badly. It definately wasn't a light issue.

As far as techniques go, just look at the end and make sure the end is completely lit. If you don't catch the filler completely it can cause some initial burn problems. But like I said, it should even out pretty quick anyway.

[SHOE]

In not trying to sound like a "know-it-all" by any means, but one of the big misconceptions most people are guilty of when lighting a cigar is to draw on the cigar when you light, even if you toast the foot first. YOU SHOULD NEVER DRAW IN A LIT FLAME OF ANY KIND! This pulls the flame into the cigar and heats the tobacco too rapidly. It also pulls chemicals into the tobacco and can cause tunneling because it pulls the flame to the center. It's also easy to rough an edge (usually the bottom edge) because you pull the flame to close to one edge by drawing in or because you simply can't hold the lighter straight.

SIMPLE RULE: YOUR FACE SHOULD NEVER FEEL THE HEAT OF A FLAME. In other words, don't ever light it in your mouth.

Here's the method I use:

BE PATIENT.

1) Once cut and prepared for lighting, hold the cigar horizontal to the ground and ignite the lighter.
2) Hold the lighter away from the foot far enough so that it doesn't flame up. It should only redden the foot slowly and some gray ash will start to appear.
3) Rotate the cigar to even out the light. Again, careful not to let it flame up. If you flame up, pull back.
4) After you get go around once, blow softly on the foot to help even out the burn . You will notice dark patches in the foot that are not lit good yet so you will want to give them a slight touch up.
5) Blow softly again to even it out a little more.
6) Do a distant "purge" by blowing softly into the cut cap from about an inch away.
7) Draw once or twice easily and let the cigar sit for a minute or two.

BE PATIENT.

ENJOY.

This method was once taught to me by a guy at my local B&M and I can't say that I've not had a bad burn since. Give it a try.

[mike32312]

I always rotate my cigar for a few seconds over the flame, than slowly draw on it while rotating it, than blow lightly on the end. (Damn I'm turning myself on ). Always works well for me.

And no sick comments for your dirty bastages.

[SHOE]

Dang Mike ! When I was writing my essay (sorry) I was trying not to use the word "suck" and there you go making me think of it. After reading your post I'm going to have to go splash some cold water on my face.

[TU09]

Toast to the point that the wrapper is slightly blackened all the way around the foot. With the cigar horizontal in your mouth and the lighter held well below and slightly in front of the cigar, pufff lightly while rotating. Turn the foot towards you to check and see if it is well lit by blowing on it gently and looking for an even glow. While I complain a lot about uneven burn, I am more particular (aka: anal retentive) than most and rarely have bad burns.

I have never seen or, up until now, heard of someone lighting a cigar without puffing. Seems a bit odd but I will have to give it a try.

[PUFFNMO]

I like to light my cigar with a cedar strip on occasion. That way I can puff as I light, and the cedar is (theoretically) adding something compatible and pleasant to the initial 1" or so.
Does anybody else do this or have thoughts on it?
At my B&M they keep a bunch of cedar strips on the counter in a glass jar, so I couldn't be the only one... Larry.

[OilMan]

Guys, Thank you

I used some of these hints tonight and got a very even burn and an easy light on a cheap smoke.... I am sure it will work great on a good stick.

Thanks

[StlCards#1]

Hey thanks everybody for the tips, I will definitley listen and try them all out. It is interesting to see the difference in how different smokers light differently.

Thanks again for the input...here's to even burns and lots of smoke!

Thanks,
StlCards#1

[Twin Towers]

Lighting the cigar is part of the cigar "expierence." Its almost romantic, but sometimes we just need to light the dam smoke. Outdoors is one of these occasions where I light as fast as possible if I have to use matches. Any wind just kills those little flames.

Using a torch lighter is another time when I let the flame torch the cigar; I usually roast it a little, but their is still plenty of flame on foot contact going on there.

When Im indoors I recently started enjoying long wooden matches. I will use two in my whole process to roast, and toast. I find this method takes the longest time, but that is part of my enjoyment. Taking time...very underrated!

[MoTheMan]

Up in the major leagues, some prefer to use heftier lighters such as triple flamed ones (Nibo, Clibri Trifecta), or the likes of a Rocky Patel Tabletop with a stronger/hotter flame (see picture) that projects 4".

Heftier lighters such as these produce a much hotter flame that singes the heck out of cigar, and if held there long enough, will get the ciogar hot enough for you to start puffing directly off of it w/out having to keep the flame on it.