I need some help!

[usmcpurcell]

Ok newb alert! I keep having this same problem no matter what brand of cigar it is. When I smoke the cigar wants to burn in the center and not all the way through? Is this a humidity problem or am I taking too long in between puffs? Can some of you more experienced guys out there help with this please.

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

Well seeing as though newb is in my name, might not be the best one to answer... But was just looking at this sight last week (yes another indication I am new at this) and it addressed this issue: http://www.cigars4dummies.com/cigar-repair/burn-problems.html In my opinion (and the pros can correct me) it sounds like you are not taking enough time inbetween draws and are smoking it to fast. Hope this helps.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

What RH do you keep your sticks at?

I would say that smoking slowly would not cause that problem. If anything, it would help you.

I would suggest that you dry box (put your sticks in an empty cigar box not in your humidor) the cigars before you smoke them, just to test out if you have them too moist.

 

[usmcpurcell]

I keep my humi at 69-70 percent ok I'm going to throw a couple in one of my boxes and see if this helps. I've been seeing a lot of guys on here keep the rh at 65 I'm thinking about dropping one of my humidors to 65 and see how they do.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

Im a big fan of the 65%

i would highly suggest you give that a shot

 

[usmcpurcell]

What's the best way to get it to drop? I have some spanish cedar strips that I have gotten from boxes I've heard adding those can help or is there a better way.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

What device are you using to control your humidity? Beads? boveda humidipaks? KL? Sponge?

Id suggest for a trial run that you buy a few 65% Boveda packs. just to see if you like the RH that low.

Depending on the size of your humidor, you would porbably only need 2 packs(>$4each). they last for quite a long time to boot.

 

[usmcpurcell]

The one I'm going to drop is a 100 ct humi and I use crystals for the humidity. I've been lurking on the boveda website sounds like a solid plan to me hoping this helps with the issue.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

Keep us posted! I can’t promise that lowering your RH will fix your problem, but it’s probably the most likely solution

 

[usmcpurcell]

Will do thanks for the help!

 

[jmvcp]

Agree with the comments it sounds like a humidity issue. I used the crystals when i first started as well and have switched to the beads and have had zero issues with them. Also if you get cigars from a b&m or the web always good idea to let them sit for a couple of days not sure if this is also an issue .

 

[ciggy]

The one I'm going to drop is a 100 ct humi and I use crystals for the humidity. I've been lurking on the boveda website sounds like a solid plan to me hoping this helps with the issue.

This is what most of us use...65% beads = no worries!
http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=14

also see the post in the Storage thread. Alot of post on this issue.
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

 

[usmcpurcell]

After reading some reviews from heartfelt and boveda I'm sold and it does sound like I have them too moist. I was afraid of hot boxing a cigar and thinking I was puffing too slow also.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

Like the others have said, once you figure out what RH you like, I’d invest in some Heartfelt beads. Those things will pay for themselves many times over!

But until you figure out what you like, i would try the cheaper Boveda packs.

 

[stogies&hoagies]

Sounds, to me, you are just smoking it too fast. Slow down to a minute and a half or two minutes between puffs. Also you may want to draw more slowly and easy like. Both will cause tunneling.

As far as lowering your humidity, you can try that as most of us do keep a lower humidity level than 70%. Higher humidity tends to make a cigar spongy and soft and maybe harder to draw on. That would make you pull harder and again cause tunneling.

 

[FragmagnetEOD]

I’d invest in some Heartfelt beads. Those things will pay for themselves many times over!

+1 on this!

One of the first things I did after spending a lot of time on this site (just as you are doing) was get some Heartfelt beads. It has pretty much made my humidor bulletproof as far as maintenance goes. I got the 70% beads but my humidor is consistently at a solid 68% RH (could just me my hygrometer). No issues with my cigars and I don't feel all nervous when I drop some coin on some good smokes. It really has made the gel stuff obsolete for me.

Wes

 

[usmcpurcell]

Thanks for the feedback guys ill keep you guys updated after I try the suggestions!

 

[GoingPostal]

Agree with what everyone said, your cigars probably a bit too wet and the filler is burnning faster than the wrapper. No problem using the crystals just put them sticks you want to smoke in a dry cigarbox the night before you want to smoke em, but for the long haul beads and Boveda are the way to go which one is better just comes down to personal preference.

 

[usmcpurcell]

Yeah these smokes have been resting for 6 months plus. I think a big part of it is I'm afraid to hot box a good smoke

 

[stroke]

Tunneling = smoking too slowly. If it does the opposite and forms a cone, you may be smoking too quickly.

Apart from that, it could be (a) a humidity issue, or (b) not enough rest in your conditions before smoking.

This is correct