Using a match

roland_7707

When you use a match or a soft flame lighter, do you toast the foot, or just light away?

LiquidChaos66

I have not been able to successfully toast with a match or soft flame. I fire it right up.

Martel

I toast. It is nearly impossible to do outside with a match. Some soft flames work. They force you to slow down, which is the easy thing not to do with a torch. I don't understand saying you can't toast with a soft flame. Why not? Cedar spills? They burn long so you can toast.

I'm trying fireplace matches since I rarely buy boxes and can't make my own spills or afford the pre-made ones.

Bob Luken

Scorching the foot can have a big negative effect on flavor. I've really tried to get better at gently toasting the foot before I even cut the head. And I do all my smoking outdoors so toasting is a challenge. Either I get lucky and the wind is calm. (rarely ) Or I break out a jet lighter and do the dance around the foot while trying not to scorch it. Also if it's not too breezy, I've got a great tabletop lighter that I can turn the flame down low and that helps. It's the Alec Bradley "The Burner" and I heartily recommend it. It's not a jet flame. It's not exactly a soft flame either. It's more like a camp stove in miniature scale. I can block the wind with one hand and hold the foot out of the flame but directly above the heat with my other hand. I get the foot glowing and then I clip it.

Cigary

Bob Luken:

Scorching the foot can have a big negative effect on flavor. I've really tried to get better at gently toasting the foot before I even cut the head. And I do all my smoking outdoors so toasting is a challenge. Either I get lucky and the wind is calm. (rarely ) Or I break out a jet lighter and do the dance around the foot while trying not to scorch it. Also if it's not too breezy, I've got a great tabletop lighter that I can turn the flame down low and that helps. It's the Alec Bradley "The Burner" and I heartily recommend it. It's not a jet flame. It's not exactly a soft flame either. It's more like a camp stove in miniature scale. I can block the wind with one hand and hold the foot out of the flame but directly above the heat with my other hand. I get the foot glowing and then I clip it.

Bob has the right idea here and scorching the foot of any cigar can have disastrous effects...charred taste and can make a great cigar turn into a dog rocket. There are really good soft flame lighters on the market..Xikar Exodus which stays on and is pretty much wiindproof and when using matches ensure they are 'cigar' matches that are thick and long...don't get fooled into using matches with the sulphur on the tip...they can ruin a good cigar as well.

J.S.

I toast, and only use a soft flame. I don't own anything but soft flame lighters. If I am out and it is too windy to light I will find a place out of the wind for a few minutes.

webmost

roland_7707:

When you use a match or a soft flame lighter, do you toast the foot, or just light away?

One big kitchen match toast foot.

roland_7707

I normally bring 2-4 outside with me. For some reason using a match, I have burn issues that i have to fix.
Thanks for the responses.

kuzi16

always toast.

I like the soft flame but i dont like matches. i use a soft flame lighter. Xikar of course. seems the best outside for me but still not perfect. nothing is.

shiloh.winder@mail.ee

I also toast and I have to admit I am pretty hopeless with matches so I use lighter with soft flame.

jadelt

I always toast. I have a lighter that has both soft flame and torch (and a punch). When its windy only one works. When its calm I love the soft flame.