Cigar Lighting Preference

Ok, so I was thinking of all the difference ways to light cigars. I have two ways that I use on a consistent bases. Most of the time I just grab the torch lighter, toast and light. Second, if I really have the time and want go full experience I go for a cedar spill. Sometimes it takes me 2, but the flavor of the cigar is more pronounced in my opinion by lighting this way.

What is your lighting preference?

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Comments

jsnake

I like fire. It works great.

jgibv

jsnake:
I like fire. It works great.

+1 - best choice.
I tried water once....didn't work too well. The cigar just got all mushy.
:-)

Never tried a cedar spill.
Almost out of matches, need to restock those soon.
Would love to get a soft flame lighter in the future (probably Xikar)

But I prefer matches if there's no wind.....
Single torch flame otherwise. My Bugatti's been on the fritz the past few times (I think it needs purged and some new butane) so I've been putting my 2 Lotuses to good use.

jsnake

Ok, on a serious note I have to look up this cedar spill method. Never heard of it.

I have torches from single to quad flame and use them all by toasting first. My go to lighter is a dual flame torch. I prefer matches and a soft flame but I always run out and sometimes it isn't practical.

I have a XIKAR pipe lighter that is soft flame and perfect for pipes. Includes all the tools you need as well. I might try that soft flame sometime on a cigar to see how that is.

Lee.mcglynn

For smaller rg's I like soft flame larger rg's torch

CharlieHeis

I had to youtube the cedar spill method. Interesting. I may have to find some of these.

flowbee

Yep curtiscr79,

You had me saying WTH is that all about!! I cant be the only one!!!

So for all of us who didn't know, Take a look!!!

catfishbluezz

Best way for me, a Bic lighter... Low and slow for the perfect toast. I use cedar spills all the time as well. I make them with cedar inserts.

Rain

First, I give you the "Breaking Bad Wrapper Char" technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jeWAZTgYdw Any tips?

Lee.mcglynn

Rain:
First, I give you the "Breaking Bad Wrapper Char" technique. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jeWAZTgYdw Any tips?

she smokes too fast lol

curtiscr79

flowbee:
Yep curtiscr79,

You had me saying WTH is that all about!! I cant be the only one!!!

So for all of us who didn't know, Take a look!!!

I figured a lot of people wouldn't know what I was talking about, thanks for post the video explaining it.

Bob Luken

I was looking at a wooden coffee stir stick one time and I was wondering to myself "Hey, wonder if they are made of the same wood as wooden matches?" I did a quick online search an birch seems to be the normal type of wood for stir sticks. So, is birch an acceptable wood to be lighting our precious cigars or not? What wood is used for matches? I did a search online for that too but no definitive answers. I know that some matches are made of cedar specifically for cigars and pipes but what about the common wooden match?

0patience

Bob Luken:
What wood is used for matches? I did a search online for that too but no definitive answers. I know that some matches are made of cedar specifically for cigars and pipes but what about the common wooden match?

Poplar

Bob Luken

Anybody willing to try this trick?

jsnake

Bob Luken:
Anybody willing to try this trick?

Interesting. I might be willing to give this a try next time I have a cigar with the cedar sleeve on it.

Martel

Bob Luken:
Anybody willing to try this trick?

Tried it once; I've seen it recommended in other places and other videos, but it didn't work so neatly for me. The cedar burned too quickly and didn't toast or light the end very well. Probably depends on the wrap...and I bet he's practiced a lot.

Stubble

Those outtakes are hilarious!

Stubble

Those outtakes are hilarious!

Bob Luken

To answer Curtis' question, my favorite method is to toast the foot slowly and light it gently. Scorching the foot can have a negative effect on flavor IMHO. So I usually toast & then get the foot glowing before I cut the head. (The only drawback to cutting after toasting/lighting would be discovering a tight draw. The advantage, in theory, is that no smoke chimneys up through the cigar with a chance to draw any flavors from the lighting process inside.) I usually 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 flame 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 try not to let the flame up the outside and scorch the wrapper. I get the foot glowing. I and then I clip it. Never had too much experience with matches or spills but I'd try that if the burner wasn't around.

This may seem like way too much trouble but I'm convinced that harsh flavors are avoided and I often wonder if the quest for stronger flavors among BOTLs is in some small way an unintended effort to overpower harsh flavors produced by unknowingly scorching/overheating the foot during the lighting process.

jgibv

catfishbluezz:
Best way for me, a Bic lighter... Low and slow for the perfect toast. I use cedar spills all the time as well. I make them with cedar inserts.

I've always been told that Bic's are a "no-no" because the type of fuel they use can taint the cigar....is that not true?
Are Bic's ok?
If so, I might have to try one for a cheap "soft-flame" solution.....

Bob Luken

I've heard that the fuel is not as pure as what we normally use in our fancy lighters, but I've also heard that it isn't impure enough to matter. I think the purity of the fuel helps the high-end lighters function better and the fuel in bics are not really "dirty", just not up to high-end lighter performance standards. I don't believe they are bad to use. I usually keep one handy.

gogoivan73@gmail.com

I think the fuel is concern only if you pull from the cigar when you light. In the winter I use pine spill and in the other time a regular lighter.

Martel

jgibv:
catfishbluezz:
Best way for me, a Bic lighter... Low and slow for the perfect toast. I use cedar spills all the time as well. I make them with cedar inserts.
I've always been told that Bic's are a "no-no" because the type of fuel they use can taint the cigar....is that not true?
Are Bic's ok?
If so, I might have to try one for a cheap "soft-flame" solution.....

Bic's use butane, so they're fine. It's Zippo you don't want to use.

The problem with a Bic is that if you toast it properly, you're probably going to scorch your thumb...at least if you have a big freaking nintendo/hitchhiker thumb like me.

kuzi16

Xikar Soft flame lighter.

jgibv

Thanks for the info guys...I learn something new every day here.

'll have to dig further and read up on types of lighters/fuels. I always thought the compressed butane cans were the "only" way to go for cigars. Guess there's other decent options out there too...