Smoking out in the cold

[RDB]

It just never seems to work for me. Even if I’m warm enough, the flavours don’t seem so good, the burn isn’t so good. I basically want a nice warm environment to smoke in. 

Presumably part of the problem is that the cigar is getting aggressively cooled. The cherry is getting cold quicker, so you have to hurry the draw to keep things going, or relight often.

Am I alone? Am I being a snowflake? Any hints and tips?

[Corylax18]

We're in the same boat. I hate the cold, I stop smoking outside when the temp hits 50ish F, depending on wind speed. I'll happily smoke well above 100 degrees or even in 90/90 temp/humidity, but the cold is a deal breaker for me. I greatly prefer smoking outside to inside, but I'm lucky to have 3 smoking lounges within a 15-20 minute drive of my home and office so I don't have to stop smoking completely during the winter. I wish I had some tips or tricks for you, but I've never been able to generate the same enjoyment level when the temps drop. 

[lovethehaze]

I am In the same boat as you guys I hate the cold and live in Chicago. So this limits me a lot. I have no tricks. I smoke in the car on my commute home now or at a lounge outside it a total deal breaker now. Smoking less and stocking/aging better is the upside. 

[BoliDan]

Depends. Some days I'm more tolerant. Some days I nope back inside. Cold doesnt bother me too much. Unless it's like New England or Michigan. Eff those winters. Wet and cold. 

[99call]

59 minutes ago, RDB said:

It just never seems to work for me. Even if I’m warm enough, the flavours don’t seem so good, the burn isn’t so good. I basically want a nice warm environment to smoke in. 

Presumably part of the problem is that the cigar is getting aggressively cooled. The cherry is getting cold quicker, so you have to hurry the draw to keep things going, or relight often.

Am I alone? Am I being a snowflake? Any hints and tips?

The real problem is not the cold so to speak but rather the moisture in the air, and the condensing of the moisture when cold hits hot.  When it's super dry and cold it's not so much of a problem

[mbflash80]

I can tolerate the low 40s (about as cold as it gets here in Nor Cal) more than I can the 100+ heat.  I do not mind putting on layers to enjoy a cigar...plus your beer stays colder and scotch just tastes better in the cold in my opinion...the actual cigar itself I cannot really tell a difference in any environment...maybe I am easily pleased by cuban tobacco...

[Cairo]

I smoke in my garage in the winter, so wind is not an issue.     I tend to smoke smaller cigars as well so I don't waste the larger smokes.     The Cohiba shorts, Trini shorts, Partagas Chicos and petite Piedras work for me.    The San Cristobal El Principe seems to perform just fine as well.    If I feel like an NC I will pull out one of my many varieties of Room 101 Papi Chulos.

[RDB]

1 hour ago, 99call said:

The real problem is not the cold so to speak but rather the moisture in the air, and the condensing of the moisture when cold hits hot.  When it's super dry and cold it's not so much of a problem

That’s v useful insight. Makes good sense!

[Chibearsv]

I installed a heater, exhaust fan, and television in my garage.  It's great and comfortable but since it's an attached garage, I'm constantly fighting the battle to keep cigar smell out of the house.  Always trying new fans, filters, cold air return blockers, etc.  For me, cigar smoking enjoyment needs comfort.  I don't think they taste nearly as good if I'm outside and it's cold but that could be purely in my mind.  I'm glad I invested in heating the garage even if my wife glares at me while holding her nose when I come in. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

I just love doing cigar reviews in -15c weather.

[lovethehaze]

That’s what I also have to do in the current weather we have right now in San Francisco. How do you deal with the smell in your car? Or do you not care really? 

I roll
The windows down and Crank the heat. I also air it out in the garage at night and clean it a lot. Sometimes I don’t smoke for some time in there b/c it does start to have a cigar smoke smell but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. That time I have is some of the most relaxing I get all
Week.


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[Mikeltee]

Why dont you guys pull your blazer out of your purse so you arent so chilly? You have all taken the "freezing my balls off" statement literally havent you? Lol

[teamrandr]

In my experience the colder it gets the worse the cigar will perform.  The best time to smoke in my area is mid July around midnight.

[nKostyan]

In winter, I can smoke outside when there is no wind. The main thing for me - is warm gloves and shoes. Smoke mostly NC, me seems they less suffer from cold, than CC.

[Hollywood Ninja]

I’m cleaning out shed and hope to get it ready for smoking before the real cold starts here in the PNW. Still in the 40s and tolerable.


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[Fugu]

Nothing better than smoking outside on a crisp and sunny, high-pressure late-winter's day. In particular with longer-format cigars. Burn is always as good as it gets and your senses feel crystal clear.

Each year I am looking forward to it. 

[BrightonCorgi]

@RDB I experienced the same things when I have smoked out in the cold.  You and your cigars are worthy of smoking in normal temps!

[rbi]

I'm experiencing the same thing right now although cold to me is anything below 40F.  I have a rather large basement and only 1500 square feet of it is currently finished with me using the remaining unfinished roughly 1800 sf as work space to build and restore motorcycles (a hobby).  I literally just told my wife yesterday that I'm considering taking a roughly 20x20 area in one of the rooms and finishing it in as a smoking lounge.  The place I'm considering has two windows on an exterior wall so I think I could fairly easily mount an exhaust fan and put a couple of air filters in there.

Edited:

My wife says I better plan on 12x12 instead of 20x20.  Meh...works for me.

 

[CaptainQuintero]

Like Me Fugu if its a crisp dry Winters day I'm all over it, but if it's the usual wet cold and miserable Winter, then I hold off until spring

[pure_lunatic]

On 12/11/2019 at 6:56 PM, rbi said:

My wife says I better plan on 12x12 instead of 20x20.  Meh...works for me.

 

12 paces by 12 paces. Just like you suggested, sweetie!

[SCgarman]

I smoke in my garage with a Mr. Heater Big buddy 18,000 BTU propane heater. Cigars tend to burn beautiful in this climate versus the hot, humid high dewpoint crap in the dog days of summer. I have a nice sound system in the garage, director's chair and plenty of different whisky to choose from. What more do you need?

[rbi]

5 hours ago, pure_lunatic said:

12 paces by 12 paces. Just like you suggested, sweetie!

Well, since she doesn't say a word every time a new motorcycle appears in the garage or the basement (7 currently), I think I'll try to avoid upsetting the apple cart.  

Besides, as long as I can fit a pair of leather chairs in there with a side table and some dark wood paneling, I'll be happy anyway.