Lighting and that elusive "even burn"

[DevonS]

Excuse my noobness. I've done the required reading on lighting and watched a few vids on yoo-toob, but I just can't seem to get it right. I had/have a lighter that shoots a "jet" of flame, but I have a hard time seeing where the flame is. So, I switched to the basic old Bic flickering-flame-need-dead-air style lighter. I toast and roll and then give a couple pufs and it all seems to be going well, but usually about an inch in I notice that it's really only going on one side. So, I purge and apply more flame to even it out and even that sometimes doesn't quite work. I know I'm just doing it wrong since it happens almost every time. So... I'm lookin' to the brothers... fix my shitty lighting skillz. Help me get that even, razor-sharp burn I see in everyone's cigar porn.

:smokingbo

 

[Craig Mac]

Usually I will toast it as evenly as possible then turn it around and blow on the "cherry", it helps me to see if it is evenly lit. If I see any spots that aren't red I hit it with the torch and test it again.

 

[jwintosh]

practice, practice, practice! of course, this means you'll have to smoke more...

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

Either what has been said above or if these are from your own humidor possibly your humidity is off? I am still new at this too.

 

[javajunkie]

practice, practice, practice! of course, this means you'll have to smoke more...

yup! o)

seriously, torch is good, but from at least 1/2 to 3/4" away. no flame to tobacco contact. take your time, start with the outer ring and move slowly in (mostly my ritual), and slowly blow on the foot of the cigar to see how even it is. mostly use time and indirect heat.

also, i have found that purging can sometimes add moisture to a problematic brn. depends on the cigar, but i CANNOT do it on a la casita, for example.

also also, what RH are youe smokes kept at? if they start out too humid, you might never have a chance to get the clean burn.

FWIW o)

 

[Cigary43]

A slow even lighting is where you start...try not to let the flame actually touch the tobacco and use the heat of the flame to 'cook' the end. Most will light their cigars like they are in a rush and then wonder why their cigar tastes like burnt tobacco...because you used a flame that's nearly as hot as a flare and then sucked in the flame into the tobacco and you expect it to smoke cool? C'mon already....you paid $5 to $15 for your cigar and you really think you need to use a triple flame lighter to get it going? Another problem that comes up is that if you store your cigars at a RH of 70% they are going to be a bit wet and won't burn evenly. Keep them around 65% and let them rest for at least a month and then smoke it.

 

[orangedog]

the advice given so far is all spot on

also try lighting the cigar before cutting it, making sure the burn is nice and even/smooth prior to cutting

 

[bdc30]

also try lighting the cigar before cutting it, making sure the burn is nice and even/smooth prior to cutting

I heard this myself recently and meant to give it a try....May have to do that tonight.

 

[derwood]

Still a huge noob myself, but have found alot of the advice above spot on. I've noticed humidity making a huge difference when it comes to burn and number of relights needed. Too much humidity makes things tougher. Same for taking your time lighting. Not always easy, but the more I take my time, the better light I get and more I enjoy the whole thing.

 

[Schmec]

i asked the same question just a little bit ago when i first signed up here. going slowly is awesome advice. I very rarely even puff the cigar with the flame up to it. just take my time and slowly work the lighter around the foot of the cigar. Dont hold the flame in 1 spot just keep it moving and youll get it.

 

[Cornrow_Wallis]

the advice given so far is all spot on

also try lighting the cigar before cutting it, making sure the burn is nice and even/smooth prior to cutting

Interesting. What is this supposed to do? Cut down on air flow through the cigar while it's being lit?

 

[orangedog]

I heard this myself recently and meant to give it a try....May have to do that tonight.

Did you read it on your trusty blackberry device? Might be the same source... :thumbsup:

 

[DevonS]

Well, the biggest takeaway for me so far is taking my time. I think I'm definitely rushing it. The RH in my humi is 62- to 64-ish, so I don't think that's a problem. Now, what kind of lighters are you guys using that you can let 'er rip for over a minute without it melting down? :-D

 

[orangedog]

Interesting. What is this supposed to do? Cut down on air flow through the cigar while it's being lit?

cuts down airflow yes, which can also make just barely more difficult to light - the flame/heat/air don't shoot through the cigar. you force yourself to take a nice, slow, approach to get it burning well without a bunch of air rushing through fueling the flame. it also helps prevent, for all of the same reasons as the reasons mentioned by others already, that burnt tobacco taste or bitterness at the beginning of a cigar.

all based on experience, fwiw

 

[Schmec]

Any lighter meant for a cigar. Stop using the gas station BICs and you'll be fine. Most tobacconists have great triple-flame torches for around 20 bucks and have a lifetime warranty! Wooden matches are also great for indoors. That's what I'd do as a newbie. As you get really into it... you'll end up with many more lighters; haha!

I have a xikar ellipse triple flame and a xikar tech single flame. I find the triple works very well for large ring gauge cigars like mowat and stuff like that but also Burns very hot. you really need to be careful on anything smaller then a 60 ring gauge because it's very easy to burn the wrapper down a side or just burn the foot up. Ive been using the tech allot more just because it's easier to light smaller rg cigars and is a little more forgiving if ya over shoot the foot a little.

 

[danthebugman]

Lot of good advice so far. One thing I'll throw out there is that not all cigars want to burn even. You can do a grade A job lighting them and they'll still go every which way on you. Sometimes it's humidity, but I've even had cigars that have been in good humidity do it. As for lighters, I use a single torch (Ronson JetLite) most of the time and love it. Sometimes it's not enough when outdoors if the wind is going though. If I'm really in the mood I'll use matches, but that's mostly indoors. Last thing is this...as long as you're enjoying the cigar I wouldn't worry too much about the burn so long as it's decent (i.e. not having half the cigar unlit).

Dan

 

[Jfire]

Could be a construction issue as well..... May not only be a time problem.

 

[Treinenwj]

Did you read it on your trusty blackberry device? Might be the same source... :thumbsup:

Exactly what I was thinking!

 

[bugbear]

try a single flame bro, might take a bit longer but easier to control

just my two cents

 

[Yojimbo]

try a single flame bro, might take a bit longer but easier to control

just my two cents

I agree with this. I really only use my double and triple jet lighters if I'm smoking outdoors, in the event of wind.