Lighting Technique

[Joe]

Personally I start off by first slightly toasting the foot of the cigar. I then proceed to rotate the cigar and start puffing to get a nice even burn going. Over time I've learned that spending a little extra time and effort in the lighting process can create an overall better smoking experience.

[CigarGuy]

Wow we had a great thread on this...
I'm so overwhelmed by the loss of the old forum.

I wonder if I can find anything in an old cache...

[CigarGuy]

So I thought I'd take a stab at this.
The ritual around cigar smoking is perhaps on of my favorite things about the hobby.
Here's my lighting ritual.

1) Cut cigar.
 That's the topic of some other post.

2) Get out the butane torch.
   
   You can use sulfur free matches and/or cedar chips... but the butane torch is where it's at. Much Easier, much faster.
   
   Don't use "regular" liquid fueled lighters.
   Don't use regular matches (if you do make sure ALL the sulfur burns off before you use it)
   Don't use Zippos (if you do let the flame burn for 5-10 seconds before you use it)
   
   (by the way... if you love your Zippo... look into the zplus Butane insert. It's really cool and gives that classy zippo a butane heart)
   
3) Hold the cigar pointed down about 45 degrees with the foot just above the flame.
   
   (do not let the flame touch the cigar)

4) As the edge of the cigar closest to the flame starts to glow rotate the cigar slowly so that the outer most edge of the foot has been "toasted" all the way around.

 Take care not to burn the cigar.
 You don't want the wrapper to catch fire or get burned.
 
 When you have gone all the way around the cigar hold the cigar so that you are looking at the foot. If the rim around the foot glows orange all the way around when you blow on it... you've done the toasting correctly.
 
5) Give the whole of the foot a quick toast just to get things started. This doesn't have to be much. Just darken the foot a bit.

6) Put the cigar in your mouth, and hold the flame just below the now toasted foot.
(again... do not let the flame touch the cigar)

7) Puff on the cigar until the flame jumps to the stogie.
   Then continue to puff while you rotate the cigar completely around.
   
8) Now blow on the foot again.
The whole thing should glow orange. If it does... grab the bourbon... sit back.. and enjoy your smoke!

[Poriggity]

I clip the smoke, toast the foot without it in my mouth, and when the foot is toasted, I put the smoke in my mouth, and puff as I light, rotating the cigars as it lights.
Scott  

[Irishcelt]

There are so many variations on lighting the cigar. Some experts say toast others do not.  I personal have torches and zippos and never had a fuel taste problem from the Zippo.   I think it does come down to personal preference. 
I usually wet the foot around the wrapper with my mouth...I have found for me it gives me a more even light.

[Hoot]

I have used all manner of methods to light up....mostly I use my trusty Zippo...I reckon I am in the minority here but I have never been troubled by a "fuel" smell....
I do a fair amount of camping...(pre-1840's primitive style) and using a cedar splinter is a great way to light up....I have also used the cedar wrapping that comes on some cigars..That works well too.

[Nightshade]

[user=66]Hoot[/user] wrote: 

.I have also used the cedar wrapping that comes on some cigars..That works well too.

I have seen IC use his cedar wrappings and it looks and smells great. For me right now I am still trying to figure which way to light it. I am leaning to toasting the foot first then turning it so it get a even light all the way around.

[DJohnson]

I think it was Doc who recommended toasting then blowing on the foot before completely lighting it, so I've started doing this. Although I need to practice (oh darn), I've been getting a more even burn with this technique.

[-PO-]

Personally I start off by first slightly toasting the foot of the cigar. I then proceed to rotate the cigar and start puffing to get a nice even burn going. Over time I've learned that spending a little extra time and effort in the lighting process can create an overall better smoking experience.

Here here Joe.  I do the same.  If I'm gonna take the time to smoke a cigar I might as well take the time to light it right and enjoy it without burn problems.

[Nightshade]

I think it was Doc who recommended toasting then blowing on the foot before completely lighting it, so I've started doing this. Although I need to practice (oh darn), I've been getting a more even burn with this technique.

This sounds intersting, might have to give it a try