Successfully Lighting Your Cigar with A Cigar Lighter
October 31st, 2009 by Dave Sabot, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Are you new to the world of cigar smoking? If so, then you likely have several questions concerning the use of a cigar lighter to get that smoke lit. Of course, actually getting the cigar to light is pretty important, but you will find that there is more to consider here than just the method of applying the flame to tobacco. You will need patience, knowledge and the right set of tools. Butane torch lighters and guillotine cutters are the best options for the novice cigar smoker and will help to ensure that you have the simplest, most enjoyable smoke possible.
Now, before you light up, you have to remove 1/8th of the cigar’s cap. You’ll see where the cap meets the cigar, as the shoulders of the cigar are rounded. Place your cutter here and depress the blade. Once removed, it’s time to move on to more important matters. Now that the cutting has been done, it’s time to warm up that cigar with your lighter. Warming the tobacco is an essential step and you should never bypass this, as it can ruin your smoking experience.
This process is called toasting and it helps ensure that the cigar will light evenly. Essentially, you are warming the tobacco with the flame of the lighter. It’s important that you use a torch lighter for this, as they are fueled with butane. This fuel is odorless, colorless and tasteless, ensuring that there is no chemical transfer to your cigar, as there can be if you use a different type of fuel.
Do not use any type of lighter other than a butane-fueled device, as other types of fuel can give your cigar a chemical taste or odor. To light your cigar, hold it in your mouth, tilted at about 45 degrees. Hold the lighter in front of it, but do not touch the flame to the tobacco. Inhale through the cigar and the flame will bend to touch the tobacco. Turn the cigar in your mouth while holding the flame. This will ensure that the cigar lights evenly.
Once the foot of the cigar is lit, take it out of your mouth. You’ll need to visually inspect the cigar to make sure that the entire surface was lit. If you see areas that did not light, or are only smoldering, you’ll need to relight the cigar once more. Just repeat the process above and you will have your cigar burning bright in no time. In just moments, you will be able to relax with that delightful flavor and aroma.
Dave Sabot is the owner of specialty butane lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including zippo pipe lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring cigar tips.
