Cold weather...to what lengths for a cigar?

[BTWheezy]

Winter (well, the rain in Seattle) is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere...

It is an increasingly pain in the ass to bundle up for a smoke, as Mrs. Wheezy says “not in the house.”  I find myself donning several layers of clothing to keep warm for an hour or so, and I don’t even live in a REAL cold climate like plenty of you do.

For those in the same boat - colder climate, must smoke outside - how do you prepare for a cigar?  Any tips you can pass along?  Is a full ski mask too much?  

 

Lets hear it Canada!  Sweden...how about you?  Chi-town?

[HarveyBoulevard]

It's terrible here in Southern California. When it gets cold, I actually have to put long pants on.

 

[ggaspar]

I smoke when -15 C. Just need Partagas MF and bottle of rum or cognac. But Im from Russia  

[Bagman]

Portland person here.  I'm actually testing something out as we speak.  It is 45 degrees (F) at the moment.   I used to double layer thermals, then 2 layers of sweat pants/shirts.  Then a big coat and ski pants.  It was such a pain and I was still cold.   Outsider heaters suck.  Your front is toasty, but your back is cold.  Plus it would dry out your cigar to be facing a heater.  Some use Jacuzzi, but I'm not going to spend the money on that, plus the humidity messes up cigars.

So I did research into who else sits basically motionless in the cold.  Hunters.   I found a sleeping back with arms at a hunters store.  For me, the big thing was something that I could quickly get in/out.  No more layers and layers that made me look like the younger brother from "Christmas Story".  

I have to say, I am amazed.  I look stupid sitting in my backyard in a sleeping bag with arms, but I'm just wearing normal clothes underneath.   Pants and a sweatshirt and I'm actually hot!  No thermals, no layers.  My face is a tad cold, but that is all.  So far, 2 thumbs up.   We shall see what happens as the year gets colder and colder.  But it is supposed to keep me warm down to 30F.   I would check it out. 

Oh, the other bonus is that it is tight around your neck and wrists so it also blocks my clothes from getting cigar smoke on it.  Very cool.

 

 

[Islandboy]

13 minutes ago, HarveyBoulevard said:

It's terrible here in Southern California. When it gets cold, I actually have to put long pants on.

 

I know what you mean. I’m gonna have to switch out my surf shorts for my flannel shorts soon...

[Colt45]

If there's sun and no wind, I can handle low to mid 40s - otherwise, I pass. For me, there's no point in smoking if it becomes a chore and i don't enjoy it. I don't smoke for the sake of smoking.

[Bagman]

1 hour update.  I am actually starting to sweat in this thing.  Outside temp bumped up to 47.   I'm going to try it tomorrow in shorts.

[havanaclub]

I get in the garage with the door half way open if it is very cool. And have a great space heater I plug in and face it right in front of me.
I'll wear a jacket and hat and sometimes gloves.


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[BTWheezy]

So, best advice so far is live in SoCal or Maui.  Or be Russian.  

 

@Monterey - so you basically found a Snuggie on steroids?  Link?

[Bagman]

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Gear-Hunting-Sleeping-Sleeves/dp/B01DKTP3TK

I'm now so hot, that my head is sweating.  So my head is no longer slightly cold.  

I'll have to learn the type of clothes to wear at various temp.   Jean pants, shirt and sweatshirt is too much in this thing at 47 degrees.  

 

[BTWheezy]

Thanks. I’ll check it out.

 

Maybe you’ll end up going “commando” when all is said and done...

[CrankYanker]

Just installed a wood burner in my shop which is where I can do what I want without the wife giving me grief. Just need a chimney now.

I also have a hot tub and the humidity in that does not effect the smoke much. It's nice when it's cold and you can get in a 90+ degree tub.

Look into the Milwaukee heated jackets for an under layer. They have sweatshirts too

How about some jeans with flannel lined in them? Should keep your lower half toasty.

Fingerless gloves could work well too.

No go on the garage and a small space heater?

How about setting up a ice fishing shanty with a latern and heater in the backyard?

Just some ideas. Good luck

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[kuma]

Well there are a few important considerations when smoking in the cold.  I have a garage but it is not heated as of yet.

I can and do run a extention cord to a portable heater once in a while.  I'm in the Northeast of the states where in

the dead of winter it can get to below freezing in Dec.  As Jan. and Feb approach we expect minus temps. to abound.

Layering clothes, vaselining the face a bit, long underwear are needed, if the sun is out face it.  Now this is just the prep. work before

sparking up your smoke.  Now I'm a bit used to this weather because I'm an outside plant engineer and work on tele. / elec. / util.

poles on a daily basis.  Not that I like it but the money is good, health care, 401k funded and freedom to work on my own

is the trade off.  So smoking.  Ha that is not that hard to do as long as you follow a few simple rules;  1st pick a short large ring gauged

smoke.  No long skinnies, or even a corona sized smoke.  Nothing below 46* 143mm would be the cut off point.  46 - 57 ring gauge

Between 102mm to about 124mm length maybe a little longer, but not much more.  This is not perfect science just what has worked

for me in extreme conditions at times.  Splitting, cracking, tunneling and even a small combustion may occur.  For winter think small, fat and

short cigars at least out doors.  Good luck mates and spring can't come fast enough for me!

[gweilgi]

Thermal underwear is a must.  My brother (the wuss) actually uses battery-powered heated underwear.

Otherwise, my usual winter outdoor clothing is all natural.  What works for me is layering: t-shirt, flannel/Viyella shirt, woolly jumper and a shooting vest. A woolly cap of some sort is a must -- we lost a LOT of heat through our heads.  The air trapped between the layers actually works extremely well as insulation.

Plus a decent supply of cognac, vodka, brennivin, schnaps, akvavit or similar.... 

And I never ever try to smoke anything special, as IME the cold changes the flavours too much to really appreciate them.  

[tsolomon]

We have been out on our covered porch in some pretty cold weather, so short cigars and the Mr. Heater 3 burner does the trick as long as it isn't too windy.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH45T-Triple-10000/dp/B00CQGWOQ4/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1509923337&sr=8-21&keywords=mr.+Heater

 

 

[CrankYanker]

13 minutes ago, tsolomon said:

We have been out on our covered porch in some pretty cold weather, so short cigars and the Mr. Heater 3 burner does the trick as long as it isn't too windy.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH45T-Triple-10000/dp/B00CQGWOQ4/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1509923337&sr=8-21&keywords=mr.+Heater

 

 

Be careful when you use these. They do burn up and catch fire. I have seen it first hand myself. 

[mrretrohale]

I'd layer up and sit outside here in Canada as long as it's not below -10c or 14f, leather gloves jeans, hoodie and winter coat. Nothing special, usually just a PLPC or HUHC. The only problem I've been realising is the cigars almost seems plugged, the area around the band get really hard almost as if frozen. Anyone else? 

[ayepatz]

Well, I’d normally sit in the shed with the heater on, but since we bought garden furniture, there’s no more room in there, owing to all the cushions. Back to huddling outside the back door of the pub, then!

[Buck14]

Good god gents, maybe just suck it up and be a MAN!

I’m no superstar and I was out today for about 35 minutes walking the dog in 43F moderate rain and heavy winds in Chicago with a baseball cap, long sleeve t-shirt, shorts and sandals on with a nice party short.  I was SWEATING when I got back for crying out loud.  Suck it up!

[Bagman]

3 hours ago, Buck14 said:

Good god gents, maybe just suck it up and be a MAN!

I’m no superstar and I was out today for about 35 minutes walking the dog in 43F moderate rain and heavy winds in Chicago with a baseball cap, long sleeve t-shirt, shorts and sandals on with a nice party short.  I was SWEATING when I got back for crying out loud.  Suck it up!

If you sweat in those conditions, it might be time to take a few more walks!!  Perhaps a run or two.

[99call]

I've smoked cigars in Antarctica. Can't say I recommend it. I found cigars wasted on cold extremely dry climates. Never get an even burn. And flavours dulled. 

[Shaunster]

Smoking outside in the cold is not fun, its no way to enjoy a cigar!

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[ayepatz]

15 hours ago, Buck14 said:

Good god gents, maybe just suck it up and be a MAN!

 

I AM a man. At least, I was until the ex took my balls in the divorce...

[CrankYanker]

Do any of you have a cool little cigar bar near by?  If not there's a business idea  

[Sean3]

On 11/5/2017 at 3:58 PM, HarveyBoulevard said:

It's terrible here in Southern California. When it gets cold, I actually have to put long pants on.

 

This cuts to the bone, why not just kick me in the nads!