What do you use to light your cigar with?
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:59 am
I decided to make this thread here to have some conversation here in the Humidor. What is your preferred method of lighting a cigar and why? Below are some methods I've used to light my cigar:
Normal matches - Very difficult to light a cigar with normal matches because they burn out very quickly and if you're outside the sligthest blow of wind can blow it out. When using a normal match you should wait for a while for the sulfur to burn out before lighting your cigar. Sulfur can affect the taste of the cigar. (There are sulfur free matches available)
Long matches - Better for lighting a cigar than normal matches. With long matches I recommend using the 'Three match lighting techniques'. The first step is not to cut the head of the cigar. This is because the air will flow through the cigar if the head is cut and the potentially bad flavours from the matches will go with the air and can affect the taste of the cigar.
Light the first match and put it under the foot of the cigar and rotate the cigar over the tip of the flame. Do the same with the second match after the first match is finished while making sure that the foot of the cigar is exposed to the flame evenly.
Finally with the third match, concentrate the flame in the middle of the cigar and when this match is finished, blow some air on the end of the cigar you were lighting and cut the head off. If you've done it properly the cigar should be well lit.
This is a time consuming way to light the cigar but according to some aficionados it is the only way to light a good cigar. (Sulfur free matches are available)
Zippo - This is definitely not a good way to light the cigar as this is a fuel based lighter. Even when you light the zippo you can smell some fuel briefly, what do you think it will do to your cigar? On top of that the Zippo will soon become very hot, even too hot to be held in your hand.
Torch lighter - This is probably the most commonly used lighter when lighting a cigar. The flame is cleaner than that of the normal lighters because it uses butane, Zippos and matches and will quickly light your cigar. You should keep the tip of the flame some distance away from the cigar but so that you can see it lighting. Simultaneously you should rotate the cigar to ensure it is evenly lit. This is my preferred method of lighting a cigar. What is yours?
Don't forget to vote in the frontpage poll!
Normal matches - Very difficult to light a cigar with normal matches because they burn out very quickly and if you're outside the sligthest blow of wind can blow it out. When using a normal match you should wait for a while for the sulfur to burn out before lighting your cigar. Sulfur can affect the taste of the cigar. (There are sulfur free matches available)
Long matches - Better for lighting a cigar than normal matches. With long matches I recommend using the 'Three match lighting techniques'. The first step is not to cut the head of the cigar. This is because the air will flow through the cigar if the head is cut and the potentially bad flavours from the matches will go with the air and can affect the taste of the cigar.
Light the first match and put it under the foot of the cigar and rotate the cigar over the tip of the flame. Do the same with the second match after the first match is finished while making sure that the foot of the cigar is exposed to the flame evenly.
Finally with the third match, concentrate the flame in the middle of the cigar and when this match is finished, blow some air on the end of the cigar you were lighting and cut the head off. If you've done it properly the cigar should be well lit.
This is a time consuming way to light the cigar but according to some aficionados it is the only way to light a good cigar. (Sulfur free matches are available)
Zippo - This is definitely not a good way to light the cigar as this is a fuel based lighter. Even when you light the zippo you can smell some fuel briefly, what do you think it will do to your cigar? On top of that the Zippo will soon become very hot, even too hot to be held in your hand.
Torch lighter - This is probably the most commonly used lighter when lighting a cigar. The flame is cleaner than that of the normal lighters because it uses butane, Zippos and matches and will quickly light your cigar. You should keep the tip of the flame some distance away from the cigar but so that you can see it lighting. Simultaneously you should rotate the cigar to ensure it is evenly lit. This is my preferred method of lighting a cigar. What is yours?
Don't forget to vote in the frontpage poll!