I have had challenges in getting CT1DW wrapper leaves to stay flat. They are very large and come folded into sticks. I had an opportunity to roll in front of a few friends the other day, and one of them made a comment which got me thinking: would it be advisable to prep stubborn wrapper leaves by moistening and then ironing them with a steam iron set on cool? I realize that a medium or high heat setting would alter the flavor by toasting the leaf, and I realize it would require a steam iron dedicated to that purpose. Waddaya think? Anyone tried it?
Prepping binder and wrapper leaves
- Thread starter ras_oscar
- Start date
Once you get it trimmed down, leave the final stretch for the cigar. try lifting the doll up and, pulling back gently while holding the wrapper down with your other hand before going forward.
Favor the outside edge in tautness.
Favor the outside edge in tautness.
The biggest challenge I have faced is trimming the display edge. If its not flat before trimming I end up with bumps and pennants that have to be re-trimmed while I'm rolling ( hold cigar with one hand, hold wrapper with one hand, hold chaveta with one hand... you get the point) with wrapper that ship flat, I get a much better finished product. I am seriously considering not reordering this wrapper, just ran out last weekend.
I hadn't considered wrapping it around a cylinder. I assume you de-stem it first, then wrap it tip to stem? I have a hunk of 4" PVC I could experiment with, although the leaf would most likely dry out if I leave it out of the bag overnight.
Time works. Dampen it & let it set all day. Tickle it out flat as you can & let it set all night. Remove the stem, stretch it out as best you can & let it set all day. Remove the middle crescent & tickle it out & let it set all night.
I prefer a wet method that is used by many professional rollers. The leaf is wet and will stick down like wall paper. It requires the use of a smooth non-porous surface. Most pros use stainless steel. (I use polished granite) It gives you very precise cuts and the wrapper drys back to normal in a day or two.
Try it. Cut yourself an over-sized strip, lay it down on the wet, and stretch it out. You can trim the edge later. Can get a 2 foot by 1 foot tile at Home Despot for under three bucks.
Agreed. Super stretchy leaf like broadleaf needs a pre-stretch before you wrap with it. Use your thigh, your ladies thigh, something with a curve you can pull both ends of the leaf against. One major thing nobody can teach you is an intimate knowledge of how each leaf is going to react. How long will it take to case, how much moisture it needs, its tensile strength, etc.
I think thats what I was saying.. if the leaf is held under water, maybe it couldn't get any wetter. NO! it needs what ever time it needs to get there. can't be understated.
Don't be lazyI only deal with nice wrapper now (ec. Habano series), put the broadleaf in the bunch
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. Broadleaf is nice wrapper if you work with it on its terms 