It's always worth your time to light a cigar slowly and properly.

 

Thats pretty much how I light mine. I don't have my torch high enough to melt metal, just enough to get the job done and not to overheat the cigar.

 

I usually just draw while I light it with a torch lighter or matches. Matches usually go out though since I smoke outside.

 

I recently stumbled across this tip in a thread that's surely buried by now. I wanted to pass it on by giving it a thread of it's own because it totally changed the way I light cigars and I now truly understand what "toasting the foot" of a cigar means. This is probably something a lot of people on this board already know, but I'm sure there are a few people like myself out there who may benefit from it.

I've always used a torch lighter for cigars... it's what everyone else seemed to use and soft flames have their difficulties, especially outdoors. I used to have the torch set to get a medium sized flame - something that was under control, but wouldn't take forever to get the job done. Well, after following this tip, I turned my torch lighter down as far as it would go without going out. Holding the stick vertically, I hold the lighter under the foot for a full minute (sometimes longer) with the flame nearly touching the foot. I'm constantly moving the lighter horizontally to different areas of the foot to get the whole thing toasted. The first time i did this was probably the first time i had a cigar perfectly lit with a full volume of smoke before i ever took a puff. The extra labor showed in the taste, too, as that cigar was especially delicious!

Great post and a bump for ya!

 

I toast, then light the entire foot until a gentle blow shows it all burning orange. Before I take the first puff, I do a gentle purge.

This has worked brilliantly for me since the Carter administration.

 

I recently stumbled across this tip in a thread that's surely buried by now. I wanted to pass it on by giving it a thread of it's own because it totally changed the way I light cigars and I now truly understand what "toasting the foot" of a cigar means. This is probably something a lot of people on this board already know, but I'm sure there are a few people like myself out there who may benefit from it.

I've always used a torch lighter for cigars... it's what everyone else seemed to use and soft flames have their difficulties, especially outdoors. I used to have the torch set to get a medium sized flame - something that was under control, but wouldn't take forever to get the job done. Well, after following this tip, I turned my torch lighter down as far as it would go without going out. Holding the stick vertically, I hold the lighter under the foot for a full minute (sometimes longer) with the flame nearly touching the foot. I'm constantly moving the lighter horizontally to different areas of the foot to get the whole thing toasted. The first time i did this was probably the first time i had a cigar perfectly lit with a full volume of smoke before i ever took a puff. The extra labor showed in the taste, too, as that cigar was especially delicious!

Helpfull to a newbie like myself.
Repped !

 

This kind of post is always a bonus to see because it emphasizes that you really can get more out of your cigar rather than just torching it and go. A careful and deliberate technique will add another dimension to the overall taste of your cigar if you take your time and get it to that orange glow Don talked about...when you get it to that level and then take your first draw it's really good rather than just putting fire at the end and sucking on it. I have not tried the torch with it turned all the way down...I might have some homework to do and I like the idea since I have so many torches available to me. I have been using my soft flame lighters as I was getting tired of refilling my torches every other day..this may slow down the amount of fuel I burn.

 

This kind of post is always a bonus to see because it emphasizes that you really can get more out of your cigar rather than just torching it and go. A careful and deliberate technique will add another dimension to the overall taste of your cigar if you take your time and get it to that orange glow Don talked about...when you get it to that level and then take your first draw it's really good rather than just putting fire at the end and sucking on it. I have not tried the torch with it turned all the way down...I might have some homework to do and I like the idea since I have so many torches available to me. I have been using my soft flame lighters as I was getting tired of refilling my torches every other day..this may slow down the amount of fuel I burn.

I got 2 cool Zippo cases, but I don't use for cigars because that lighter fluid has a terrible odor. I been looking for a reliable insert that uses butane.

I always thought jet lighters were better.

There was 1 called z-plus, which was a jet lighter Zippo insert, but I heard it was rather cheap and breaks easily.

I found this soft flame which I may get.

Amazon.com: Butane Lighter Insert for Flip-top Lighters: Health &…

 

I got 2 cool Zippo cases, but I don't use for cigars because that lighter fluid has a terrible odor. I been looking for a reliable insert that uses butane.

I always thought jet lighters were better.

There was 1 called z-plus, which was a jet lighter Zippo insert, but I heard it was rather cheap and breaks easily.

I found this soft flame which I may get.

Amazon.com: Butane Lighter Insert for Flip-top Lighters: Health &…

You are mis informed as the z- Plus insert works great the only downfall is the fluid reservoir is small. To boot it comes with a lifetime guarantee like all ZiPPO products. Now how can you beat that?:fear:
Mine is made by Blazer sorry for the confusion.

 

Interesting. I've been holding the stick at about a 45 degree angle - I'd read someplace that was a good thing to do. I wonder if that contributes to an uneven burn. Holding the cigar vertical while toasting makes a lot of sense to me - that would make all the heat land on the foot, and would also land evenly. I'm gonna try this later tonight (just for the science of it, not because of any other selfish reason).

 

You are mis informed as the z- Plus insert works great the only downfall is the fluid reservoir is small. To boot it comes with a lifetime guarantee like all ZiPPO products. Now how can you beat that?:fear:

The z-plus insert isn't actually made by Zippo. Check the reviews and stuff on amazon. The ignition breaks easy and cannot be replaced. I've heard that from a few people on here, and from those reviews it seems to confirm it.

Not quite sure how the one I linked even works.

 

Nice refresher post.

Some, I have heard, like to toast the foot before clipping or punching the cap.

Anyone tried that, and if you have/do, what is the benifit?

 

The z-plus insert isn't actually made by Zippo. Check the reviews and stuff on amazon. The ignition breaks easy and cannot be replaced. I've heard that from a few people on here, and from those reviews it seems to confirm it.

Not quite sure how the one I linked even works.

I would say that is the exception and not the norm.
I have one sitting in a drawer for years.
Anytime i take it out works like a charm.
Not good to believe everything one reads.:scared:
The one i have is made by Blazer.

 

Nice refresher post.

Some, I have heard, like to toast the foot before clipping or punching the cap.

Anyone tried that, and if you have/do, what is the benifit?

I've doing this for the last 6 months..I don't make the cut/clip until the cigar is at its firey orange.

This is an old school approach to lighting ones cigar...the book on this is that not clipping the cigar will keep any smoke from drafting up towards the head because if you cut the head and light smoke rises...it will infiltrate upwards thru the length of the cigar. How much goes...I dunno but the purists say you can tell the difference and they are right...I can tell a difference because I do this now without fail. Does it give you a better taste than not drawing while lighting..I think it does even if it is negligible and I'll take any positive course of action when it comes to the quality of my cigars. I've also been lighting the foot with my soft flame vertically as well...lower the flame to about half an inch and let the heat from the flame light the cigar and it lights up quicker and you don't have to move the flame all that much to get it to light evenly.

 

I've doing this for the last 6 months..I don't make the cut/clip until the cigar is at its firey orange.

This is an old school approach to lighting ones cigar...the book on this is that not clipping the cigar will keep any smoke from drafting up towards the head because if you cut the head and light smoke rises...it will infiltrate upwards thru the length of the cigar. How much goes...I dunno but the purists say you can tell the difference and they are right...I can tell a difference because I do this now without fail. Does it give you a better taste than not drawing while lighting..I think it does even if it is negligible and I'll take any positive course of action when it comes to the quality of my cigars. I've also been lighting the foot with my soft flame vertically as well...lower the flame to about half an inch and let the heat from the flame light the cigar and it lights up quicker and you don't have to move the flame all that much to get it to light evenly.

I have read this as well and have tried it on occasion.
Great info in your post as i agree it works rather well.:mrgreen:

 

I would say that is the exception and not the norm.
I have one sitting in a drawer for years.
Anytime i take it out works like a charm.
Not good to believe everything one reads.:scared:
The one i have is made by Blazer.

Gotta agree with ya Tony...have talked with good brothers all over the country and while I don't have personal experience I tend to believe those who do and the concensus is that they know what they are talking about and they love it.

 

Gotta agree with ya Tony...have talked with good brothers all over the country and while I don't have personal experience I tend to believe those who do and the concensus is that they know what they are talking about and they love it.

Well that's how one gathers info by being open to things instead of being a closed book. You know it has been my personal experience that know it all's really know nothing. Once again thanks for sharing your knowledge!:dude:

 

I have owned 2 of the Zippo inserts. Neither one lasted more than 6 months. :noidea: I do know people that have used them for quite a while with no problems.

I also make sure the cigar is completely lit by torching/blowing on it and then do a purge before taking the first puff.

 

Great thread. Information such as this is extremely welcome by noobs such as I :biggrin:

 

I have owned 2 of the Zippo inserts. Neither one lasted more than 6 months. :noidea: I do know people that have used them for quite a while with no problems.

Mine didn't work so well either.

I have no excuse though... I was warned before I purchased by more than a few...

 

A far as the Z-Plus inserts go, from what I read there are two different manufactures that make and sell identical looking inserts under the Z-Plus name which can only be differentiated by their packaging (Blazer and another which I can't remember). The Blazer manufactured ones are apparently quality products while the other manufacture's aren't worth a dime. I just picked up one of the Blazer Z-Plus inserts from Heartfelt on my last bead order and it seems to be working well (but only time will tell if it lasts).

 

Great post! Im gonna turn down my torch a tad and try to toast it more vertically, I usually toast it at an angle since the torch goes strait out of the lighter regardless of angle.

 

I just like using the 'ole match, I guess I'm old school like that, there's just something that feels good, almost like you are even closer to the tobacco...kinda weird i know.

 

A far as the Z-Plus inserts go, from what I read there are two different manufactures that make and sell identical looking inserts under the Z-Plus name which can only be differentiated by their packaging (Blazer and another which I can't remember). The Blazer manufactured ones are apparently quality products while the other manufacture's aren't worth a dime. I just picked up one of the Blazer Z-Plus inserts from Heartfelt on my last bead order and it seems to be working well (but only time will tell if it lasts).

I thought they were made by Zippo upon further investigation. I have found mine is made by Blazer. Have used it on and off for years works great. Just lucky i guess.

 

Back on topic...

When I light my cigar, I like to warm my stick with the flame for a minute or so 2 -3" away on about 1" or so of the foot , then I do not hold the flame directly to the tobacco. I like to keep the flame about 1" away from the foot, rotating the cigar as the heat from the flame ignites the tobacco on a slight angle to the flame. Perfect every time.