Cigar Lighting

[baragh]

Once I was a proponent of purging (blowing back down into the cigar rather than drawing up through it). But not any longer. I found that while it can temporarily push out some cigar nastiness, it can rapidly spiral out of control: purge, nasty, purge, nasty, etc. The end result is not good. The reason I think this is, is that when you blow down, you are pushing saturated air (RH=100%) into the cigar. Since water is a product of combustion, adding back substantial quantities can alter the combustion equilibrium. See this Wikipedia article (note the section on incomplete combustion). I've only met one combustion engineer on any cigar forum and I haven't seen him post in a while. But anyway, nowadays, I find it much for effective to light up the coal with the torch and then take a few short pulls in quick succession. This gets the burn zone deeper into the cigar and keeps combustion going.

Wilkey

omg.... never thought about that

i recently started a habit of purging really often and have also had my cigars struggling to stay alight past halfway....I think I've found the answer

[Van55]

All kinds of different methods here. I actually even have different personal methods depending on the vitola of the cigar.

In the end, its as simple as putting fire to the foot and puffing. I try not to overthink my cigars. Just burn and enjoy.

I think this is exactly right.

I am of the "never let the flame touch the cigar" team, but I doubt that it matters a whit, jot or tittle in the end. I claimed (based on hearsay) that touching the flame to the cigar resulted in a charred foot that produced bad flavors. I've frankly never noticed a difference -- at least not one that was significant to me.

[canadianbeaver]

Did you really say "whit, jot or tittle"???

[Van55]

Did you really say "whit, jot or tittle"???

Actually I typed it, but yes. Quaint, ain't it?

[TexAg]

I always have toasted my cigars. Whenever I feel up to it, I use cedar strips instead of my torch lighter. Either way, it gets the job done.

[tempbond]

I toast also, I saw Ajay from Lcdh in UK toast it before cutting. It helps to build the flavors he says. I will be trying that soon

Never thought of doing that, very interesting. I'll try it next time, thanks Simon.

[Agricola]

Can't say I've experienced any difference either way and when at home (Where I usualy smoke) I use one of these Click. I find it's alot easier than fiddling with some piddly little lighter or burning your fingers with a match and it's reccomended by Delia Smith ... for creme brulees.

[Bunner]

i have a dual flame torch and when lighting i just dont let the flame touch the cigar. as many here do blown on it to even it out and smoke. et voila!

[Rehman]

Oh. Ha ha. When I saw the header, I thought I'd chime in with my preference for floor-standing or table-top energy-saving lamps and my aversion to overhead fluorescent lights...