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

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

kuzi16

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.