why does this happen?

[criollo]

this has happened to me more than once while smoking a variety of cigars.

I take time to carefully light it, and it seems to be burning evenly at first. But after a while, there's a point on the wrapper that isn't burning as quickly, and before long there is a prominent "peninsula" of unburnt wrapper produding into the white ash.

Does anyone have an explanation or any advice?

 

[twenty5]

If it doesn't correct itself just torch it!

 

[Kurtdesign1]

Couple of reasons are possible:
1) Wrapper tobacco was too thick or substantial to combust from the heat generated by the cigar. This can be due to improper fermentation, inadequate aging or improper/poor tobacco strains. H2000 wrappers were notorious for doing this back in the day
2) There is a construction issue with your cigar. A tear in the binder, tight spot in the roll or improper accumulation of certain tobacco primes can all contribute to this.
3) Improper storage humidity or inadequate storage conditions. This rarely occurs but I have seen it when a cigar may be up against cellophane for a great while or perhaps the corner of a humidor.

There may be other factors but it's doubtful that they would be anything more than just one-off examples. The above are the primary that people will notice.

 

[Kurtdesign1]

If it doesn't correct itself just torch it!

Sorry, didn't answer the "advice" question. 25 is spot on. Just put flame to it!

 

[njstone]

Typically I "touch up" a cigar at least 3 times during a burn (I'm kind of anal about a straight burn, lol). It does not seem to effect flavor at all.

That being said, lately I'm trying to fight against my near-OCD when it comes to burn by giving a cigar a change to correct itself. I've decided that the burn has to be off by more than 1/2 inch before I correct it. I'm suprised by how many sticks to correct themselves. The CAO Brazilia I smoked last night didn't need any touch-ups at all.

 

[balboa]

One thing I do to help correct itself, I put the part that is not burning fast enough toward the ceiling. Heat rises, so it seems like at times that can help. I also lick my finger and put it on the part that is burning too fast.

 

[TheBeamanater]

i normally roll the cigar over so that the unburnt part is on top because i hold on to my theory that fire burns upwards when heat rises. if it gets bad i'll touch it up. what makes the uneven burning happen? i've never looked into it. i've never heard anyone's theory on it because it wasn't a topic of discussion until now. the only thing ive heard was when i was asking about the right humidity to store your cigars at and a guy told me between 68 and 72% humidity works fine but when you pass 72 you start having burn problems

 

[bwhyte]

I was experiencing the same thing. I thought it was because of the way i was lighting. I had oringally thought i was lighting correctly but i started spending a couple of seconds extra on the toasting and lighting and so far i have not had any problems.
Are you toasting long enough?

 

[bwhyte]

how long does it take you to light you smoke? Toasting and lighting?
How about everyone else?

 

[WMGF]

I spent 10 or so seconds toasting then another 20 or so lighting I'd say. After the initial light I touch up the sides if they're a little uneven/uncharred before I start smoking.

 

[kuzi16]

One thing I do to help correct itself, I put the part that is not burning fast enough toward the ceiling. Heat rises, so it seems like at times that can help. I also lick my finger and put it on the part that is burning too fast.

smoke displaces oxygen.

the slower burning part should be down.



if the wrapper is burning slower than the filler evenly, it may also be a sign that you are smoking to slow. (in addition to what kurt said above)

 

[twenty5]

If it is a good cigar I usually spend about 30 seconds on it, if its just a smoke while I walk my dog or something it takes about 2 seconds lol

 

[Dave]

I've largely eliminated bad canoes on most good cigars by:
1. Taking the time to light slowly and evenly
2. Ensuring the cigar has had time to stabilize somewhere between 60 and 65 RH, depending on blend, wrapper, etc. Any higher than 65 (such as pulling out of straight out of long-term stock 70/70) and lighting runs risk of less than perfect burn.

 

[rudechuck]

In addition to the above, believe it or not, I've also found a straight cut makes a difference.

 

[strife]

I have a friend who experiences this a lot when he keeps knocking off the ash. He's anal and doesn't want the ash to fall anywhere other than into the ashtray, even when outside. I find that leaving the ash helps the burn tremendously, might also explain why all of my jeans have that acid wash look!

 

[nickgonzo]

I have a friend who experiences this a lot when he keeps knocking off the ash. He's anal and doesn't want the ash to fall anywhere other than into the ashtray, even when outside. I find that leaving the ash helps the burn tremendously, might also explain why all of my jeans have that acid wash look!

hahah I just ashed in my lap when I read this, kinda weird :rolling:

 

[openendstraight]

I would put in my two cents, but living in such a dry climate, I always have some burn problems with cigars. It is so dry here that a cigar will crack after about 20 or 30 minutes in. Sorry I could not help.

 

[criollo]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I have dealt with this by applying flame to the problem spot. Last night I noticed that taking an unusually strong puff will also help.

by the way, I have also noticed where these spots tend to be: along the vein of the wrapper leaf. Perhaps the leaf is more dense there.

 

[ealfotd]

I had no idea this topic would get such a thorough treatment. I just assumed that some cigars burn really well and some don't, and if it's one that don't touch it up and move on. Thanks for all the education guys!

That being said I'm not entirely convinced that the storage humidity makes a big difference in how straight the cigar burns. I've smoked sticks at all different humidities and I've never seen any sort of correlation. It does seem to me that the more expensive the stick, in general, the better the burn, and I always attributed that to the talent of the man or woman who rolled it.

Thus, my opinion, it's all based on proper construction.

 

[twenty5]

That being said I'm not entirely convinced that the storage humidity makes a big difference in how straight the cigar burns. I've smoked sticks at all different humidities and I've never seen any sort of correlation.

Take 2 cigars from the same box, put them in different containers and get their humidity to different levels (1 60% the other 70%) Without a doubt there will be a difference, a rather large difference judging by my past experiences while trying to figure out a sustainable RH.