Tips and Tricks to keep your smoking experience from going south.

Rhamlin

So it occurred to me this might be a good way to pass on tips that have worked for us. I'll start with my two favorites. 1st when your cigar starts cracking and splitting at the burn don't sweat it just grap a thin strip of paper and a small piece of tape. Make a band you can slide up the stick and just keep it about a half inch from the burn. Works wonderfully! 2. When you got one if those stubborn bands that don't want to come off just warm it with your lighter, it almost always works.

Bob Luken

chrislolds

Rain

Question. When you don't cut, do it really stop smoke from going in to the cigar? The only thing I could see is that if it did travel through the cigar, it could not escape. Sure someone with some physics knowhow could explain this to me.

The3Stogies

SleevePlz

The3Stogies:

I usually use large wooden matches, is that considered a "soft flame" too?

Yes, matches are soft flame. Torches are non-soft flames.

CharlieHeis

Rain

Gray4lines

Bob Luken

Darktower007

I can't tell a difference. Now 're lighting a cigar that went out hours ago? Blahh??

Bob Luken

I could have sworn I posted a video last night. Did the mods yank it because it was in some sort of violation, or did I just not hit the post button before logging off? Would a youtube video be in violation if it's from CigarFederaton?

Rain

Gray4lines:

Buy a draw poker. If it saves one cigar it's worth it.

This is great advice. I've used mine a few times...worst thing is a bad draw. Construction issues are bad, but a tight draw....ugh.

Puff_Dougie

Rain

Some gars (mostly maduro and oscuro) are very oily and are known to have burn problems. By dry boxing, you're letting the coffin/humi/whatever you're using help absorb some of that oil.I think.

Rain

docbp87:

beatnic:

Would someone explain "dry boxing" to me? The term seems self explanatory, but what about specifics, temp, humidity, time, problems, etc.

Literally putting a cigar in a dry box. Take a cigar that you think may be over humidified, have a tight draw due to wetness or packing, and place it in an empty cigar box that has no source of humidification in it. The cedar will literally absorb moisture from the cigar (albeit, at a low enough rate so as to not damage the cigar), allowing the tobacco to expand and contract as needed to allow a good draw. Leave it there for 12-18 hours, or even a few days in some cases (have had to dry box fresh rolled stuff for up to a week before) or until desired effect is achieved.

Gray4lines

Rain:

Some gars (mostly maduro and oscuro) are very oily and are known to have burn problems. By dry boxing, you're letting the coffin/humi/whatever you're using help absorb some of that oil.I think.

More than sucking out the oil, youre just letting a little extra moisture out. Definitely helps to smoke these "oily" types of cigars a little dryer. Try smoking a triple maduro right out of a 70/70 humidor. You will probably run into quite a few relights.

Bob Luken

Bob Luken

Rain

Jeez Dustin, what's in the cup?

kuzi16

Best tip to keep things from going south: don't surround yourself with assholes

Chemnitz

catfishbluezz

Rain:

Jeez Dustin, what's in the cup?

This was an early rum tasting, Flor de Cano. Enrique and I made it a point to start our days early He brought rum, I had whiskey, both had bloody mary's.

catfishbluezz

Personally I am not a fan of the toast then cut method. I do not perceive any noticeable difference in flavor compared to a slow toast. You loose the dry draw, which I enjoy, and if you get a bad cut, you are already burning. I think the possibility for your experience going south with this method is higher, as it places a bit more stress on the cutting as the cigar is burning, at least that is my casual observation of people employing it.

MorganGeo

kuzi16:

Best tip to keep things from going south: don't surround yourself with assholes

I would second this and also add to make sure your wife is not around. Sometimes the nagging or talking about what the drama at their jobs tends to take away from the enjoyment of smoking. lol

Rhamlin

Rain:

docbp87:

beatnic:

Would someone explain "dry boxing" to me? The term seems self explanatory, but what about specifics, temp, humidity, time, problems, etc.

Literally putting a cigar in a dry box. Take a cigar that you think may be over humidified, have a tight draw due to wetness or packing, and place it in an empty cigar box that has no source of humidification in it. The cedar will literally absorb moisture from the cigar (albeit, at a low enough rate so as to not damage the cigar), allowing the tobacco to expand and contract as needed to allow a good draw. Leave it there for 12-18 hours, or even a few days in some cases (have had to dry box fresh rolled stuff for up to a week before) or until desired effect is achieved.

Yep that's dry boxing. Highly recommended for certain cigars such as Gurkha of which I'm a big fan. But they have burn problems almost without fail if you don't dry box for a day before smoking.

Rhamlin

Another tip that most learn thru having their cigars blow up outside is to let your cigar get acclimated to the outside climate for 10-20 minutes before smoking.

Bob Luken

catfishbluezz:

Personally I am not a fan of the toast then cut method. I do not perceive any noticeable difference in flavor compared to a slow toast. You loose the dry draw, which I enjoy, and if you get a bad cut, you are already burning. I think the possibility for your experience going south with this method is higher, as it places a bit more stress on the cutting as the cigar is burning, at least that is my casual observation of people employing it.

I agree with you on some of your points. On balance I believe there's more flavor benefit from the "slow toast" than the "cut last" part of the equasion. And yes, you do have to give up the pre-light draw. But I'm doing this method full time now and I'm really enjoying it. A good cutter is a must. (xikar) And, it does take a little practice to become at ease with it but I think it's worth it. The main point I believe is to keep temperatures down to a minimum during the lighting process. I've got it down pretty good. Maybe someone new to it might find it a little difficult. I wish I could show you. (If I ever get set up with a good camera, I'll post a youtube video. I don't see anyone on youtube that lights a foot as delicately as I do. LOL) My only problem with my routine it is that a tight draw may only reveal itself after the cut. I'm glad it doesn't happen often.

Martel

catfishbluezz

Bob Luken:

catfishbluezz:

Personally I am not a fan of the toast then cut method. I do not perceive any noticeable difference in flavor compared to a slow toast. You loose the dry draw, which I enjoy, and if you get a bad cut, you are already burning. I think the possibility for your experience going south with this method is higher, as it places a bit more stress on the cutting as the cigar is burning, at least that is my casual observation of people employing it.

I agree with you on some of your points. On balance I believe there's more flavor benefit from the "slow toast" than the "cut last" part of the equasion. And yes, you do have to give up the pre-light draw. But I'm doing this method full time now and I'm really enjoying it. A good cutter is a must. (xikar) And, it does take a little practice to become at ease with it but I think it's worth it. The main point I believe is to keep temperatures down to a minimum during the lighting process. I've got it down pretty good. Maybe someone new to it might find it a little difficult. I wish I could show you. (If I ever get set up with a good camera, I'll post a youtube video. I don't see anyone on youtube that lights a foot as delicately as I do. LOL) My only problem with my routine it is that a tight draw may only reveal itself after the cut. I'm glad it doesn't happen often.

Seen it done many times, done it many times. The "advantage" of that first draw is so minimal if at all, to me it's no worth it, especially if you get a bad cut or have a bad draw. To each his own, I just think the thought of that first draw being better is psychological. I've heard so many things over the years, whatever works best for you, is what is right really.

kuzi16