Do you puff when lighting cigars

[staminator]

Continuing with my theme of asking people's opinions on cigar smoking habits....

I have received differing advice on how exactly to light a cigar. Previously, I had always held the cigar above a flame and puffed to light the foot. Someone (you know who you are), suggested that I not puff on the cigar while lighting it, but simply heat the foot with a torch or soft flame until the cigar was fully lit. On the other hand, I have seen some veteran cigar smokers puff on their cigars while lighting (of course creating a sizable flame off the end of their cigars).

So I ask you, Asylum members, what are your :2?

Really there are two options as I see it... 1. puff while lighting 2. don't puff while lighting. What is your rationale for either side.

[HK3-]

No puff for me. (I like gorillas!;))

[E.J.]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

[hscmit]

no puff

[wayner123]

Really there are two options as I see it... 1. puff while lighting 2. don't puff while lighting. What is your rationale for either side.

I don't usually puff when lighting. I say usually because sometimes I care less about how I begin a cigar. I normally use the Puisias Method (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7648&highlight=Puisais) to light a cigar. I find that it greatly helps not to alter the flavor.

[Ogre]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

:tpd:

[elderboy02]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

+1

[Mr B]

No Puff.
I toast the foot until it is fully lit. Blow on the foot to make sure the entire foot is glowing. Then the first thing I do, before drawing is one little, quick purge (without the flame) just to blow out any Butane smell that might have pushed into the cigar during the lighting process (it takes a good 25 seconds or so of the torch to full light). Weather or not the small purge is necessary or not, its just something I do every time.

[BigCat]

No Puff.
I toast the foot until it is fully lit. Blow on the foot to make sure the entire foot is glowing. Then the first thing I do, before drawing is one little, quick purge (without the flame) just to blow out any Butane smell that might have pushed into the cigar during the lighting process (it takes a good 25 seconds or so of the torch to full light). Weather or not the small purge is necessary or not, its just something I do every time.

+1, except I don't always do the purge after I make sure the entire foot is lit.

[replicant_argent]

I utilize a method that is quite secret, involved, and amazing. It involves acrobatics, an infrared temp gun (w/laser, natch), beverages of questionable quality, and midgets...



Sorry...er... little people.......


Anyway, have you ever seen a Cirque du Soliel show? Okay, now think weirder. And with sharp stuff. Jets of flame. Mimes.

[markem]

For some people and some cigars, puffing while lighting can lead to a acrid or other poor flavor that can be quite nasty to purge.

Like many others, I light without drawing on the cigar simultaneously (see how well I avoided *that* word). I tend to toast and then blow on the foot to see if it is lit properly. Sometime, I don't cut the head of the cigar until after I'm gotten the foot properly lit. For some large ring gauge cigars, I've detected a bit of a difference.

If I was more of a snob, I'd borrow Pete's little people and that big bowl of pudding he keeps on the patio, but I am so lazy that way.

[T.G]

I have Mila light them for me, I don't pay any attention to what she does.

[markem]

I have Mila light them for me, I don't pay any attention to what she does.

Yes you do. We all know you do. We also know that you take videos.

One word: share

[replicant_argent]

I'd borrow Pete's little people and that big bowl of pudding he keeps on the patio, but I am so lazy that way.

You weren't supposed to mention the pudding or the Mila trick...


Damn you people.

[bobarian]

No Puff.
I toast the foot until it is fully lit. Blow on the foot to make sure the entire foot is glowing. Then the first thing I do, before drawing is one little, quick purge (without the flame) just to blow out any Butane smell that might have pushed into the cigar during the lighting process (it takes a good 25 seconds or so of the torch to full light). Weather or not the small purge is necessary or not, its just something I do every time.

:tpd:

But I'm always willing to try something new. Send Mila on over and I'll give her a tryout. :tu

[Ashcan Bill]

I went through the toasting the foot method for a couple of years. Then I finally admitted to myself I couldn't tell any difference at all in taste, burn, whatever. It was kind of a neat ritual, but really no more than that for me.

Now I hold fire to the end and puff away (I said puff :r). I get the sucker lit quicker, save fuel, and find myself to be a happier and better adjusted person. YMMV ;)

[Dave128]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

This :tu

[Parshooter]

I toast it, then puff to get it good n' lit.

[Powers]

Most of the time I do not puff but sometimes I do toast and then puff at the very end.

I also like ice cream

[RatherUneek]

I jsut torch it till it's glowing. No puff.

[mpd340]

I puff and I think its because I get so excited and cant wait!

[swh127]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

:tpd:

[DennisP]

I puff and I think its because I get so excited and cant wait!

I had this problem as a teenager.

Wait, what are we talking about?

[Eleven]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

this.

[liltim]

I usually toast the foot and then puff to finish the light. It might be an impatience thing. Sometimes you just cant wait to enjoy the smoke.

[BFallehy]

No Puff, well usualy.

Puff if I don't have a torch on me or there is a lit tiki torch near by. :D
The only problem is I keep waking up in the strangest places when I use that method. :r

[BC-Axeman]

Mila says:
http://fracstar.com/pics/mikunis.jpg

[Emjaysmash]

I used to not puff, but just toast and hold the flame until it was fully lit.

Now I'm a bit more impatient. I toast thoroughly, then puff.

[icehog3]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

Me too....and I keep puffing the cigar until it disappears.

[Kreth]

I prefer my cigar lighting and my browser history to be Puff-free...
Posted via Mobile Device

[68TriShield]

I puff vigorously as you can see...
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l250/68Trishield/GomezAddams-1.jpg

[chachee52]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

I have a reason. I like to see the fire come from the foot of the cigar. I like fire!!!:fl

[kelmac07]

Toast, then give a gentle blow.

[chippewastud79]

Down with Puff! :td

I toast until it is lit, no drawing required. :ss

[staminator]

I have a reason. I like to see the fire come from the foot of the cigar. I like fire!!!:fl

haha good reason. Pyros unite! :fl

[WildBlueSooner]

Im a puffer....er that didnt come out right!

[Skywalker]

No puff for me. (I like gorillas!;))

;) I see what you did there!

[joeobx]

I toast it, then puff to get it good n' lit.

+1
And I like cake AND ice cream

[Lobo]

I toast until its ready. To me there's nothing like that first perfect puff, the virgin smoke rolling over your tongue. I equate it to the first bite of some great meat, I don't want to start eating it before it's done cooking. But just the same, we all like what we like.

[RevSmoke]

Continuing with my theme of asking people's opinions on cigar smoking habits....

I have received differing advice on how exactly to light a cigar. Previously, I had always held the cigar above a flame and puffed to light the foot. Someone (you know who you are), suggested that I not puff on the cigar while lighting it, but simply heat the foot with a torch or soft flame until the cigar was fully lit. On the other hand, I have seen some veteran cigar smokers puff on their cigars while lighting (of course creating a sizable flame off the end of their cigars).

So I ask you, Asylum members, what are your :2?

Really there are two options as I see it... 1. puff while lighting 2. don't puff while lighting. What is your rationale for either side.

Actually, there is a third option, and really (by my personal opinion) :D the best option. Heat the foot (torch or soft flame), but just to make sure it is lit for an even burn, just a puff or two.

YMMV

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[Dave128]

Mila says:
http://fracstar.com/pics/mikunis.jpg

Good Lord that woman is absolutely gorgeous. I see why Ryan has a crush on her. :dr

[BC-Axeman]

Good Lord that woman is absolutely gorgeous. I see why Ryan has a crush on her. :dr
Interesting bio, too: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005109/bio

[HK3-]

;) I see what you did there!

;):tu

[BSB]

I voted puff, but actually, I go both ways :jd:lr

[Apoco]

Depends on what I'm using to light it. Match or soft flame yes. Torch no.
Posted via Mobile Device

[pektel]

Tried the Puisias method with a Boli PC last night. Amazed at how nice the stick was from the start. I did use a Ronson jetlite to light it though, instead of a soft flame. It took maybe 30 seconds to get lit properly. This may be my new method of lighting from here on out. The cigar didn't need time to "settle in" to start realizing the flavors.

[Neens]

I usually toast the foot and then puff to finish the light. It might be an impatience thing. Sometimes you just cant wait to enjoy the smoke.

+1. This is what I always have done. Im going to try just a soft flame no puff light tonight though see which i like better.

[sammyboy405]

Ive Tried it Both Ways.. If you have a Match or Bic Lighter.. You gotta Puff.. If you have a Torch Lighter.. No Puff Required.. But I have not noticed any "Significate" Taste/flavor changes when doing either.

However If you Puff while using a Torch Lighter it seems to have an initial Warm Peppery Taste to just about any cigar.

[Mr B]

+1. This is what I always have done. Im going to try just a soft flame no puff light tonight though see which i like better.


I'm not sure if you can fully light a cigar with a soft flame and "no puff". A soft flame from a bic or other lighter will just burn, crack and turn black the foot and surrounding area.
A no puff light would need some sort of torch or at least a Ronson Jet to fully toast & light without a draw. :2

[staminator]

I'm not sure if you can fully light a cigar with a soft flame and "no puff". A soft flame from a bic or other lighter will just burn, crack and turn black the foot and surrounding area.
A no puff light would need some sort of torch or at least a Ronson Jet to fully toast & light without a draw. :2

I certainly do not have the patience for this, but check out this video: http://bcove.me/7ifuzkal


(It seems like the address links only on occasion to the address that I meant...strange... Click on the video "Three Matches." That is the one I meant.)

[icehog3]

I certainly do not have the patience for this, but check out this video: http://bcove.me/7ifuzkal




I barely had the patience to make it through the video! ;) :r

[Bill86]

No kidding, I really don't think that is necessary. Wouldn't a soft flame lighter do the same job without having to use 3 matches? 3-4 minutes to light a cigar....I suppose if I was smoking a cigar I would never get to smoke again I might consider spending about half that amount of time with a soft flame lighter, but most of my cigars get the 20-30 second torch from a butane lighter after I clip the cap.

[VirtualSmitty]

I toast, then puff while lighting....no reason, just how I do it.

:tpd: Same here.

[shilala]

I watched a movie about the Fuente's and watched the old man firing up a stick with a big old ball of flames going on at the end of the cigar. For all the methodology I've heard, and all the overthinking and nuance, that single vision pretty much sealed it up for me.
I do sometimes toast the foot a little before I go wild, but I've pretty much dispensed with all the other playing around.

[lyle23]

Myself, it depends what I am lighting the stick with. If it is a torch I toast, if its a match or a traditional flame lighter I puff. To me it kinda seems like some times puffing it while you light it makes for an uneven burn. Not all the time but it seems to happen more often than with a toasting. :2 The way I feel though is if your enjoying what your smoking there is no wrong way to spark it.

[jsd]

Like others here, no puff with the torch. Only puff with wooden matches, but rarely do I ever use matches.

[Bubba - NJ]

Sometimes I just toast with a cedar strip , match or torch lighter . Other times I take a couple draws when I'm feeling impatient . I refuse to Puff anymore ! -(P

[staminator]

I barely had the patience to make it through the video! ;) :r

:r:r well said

[Knip23]

No Puff for me I toast the foot. I use to puff, but from what ive seen when you puff it seems to make the light more uneven and you get runaways off the bat. or Maybe im just OCD like no other. who knows.



Knip.

[icehog3]

I watched a movie about the Fuente's and watched the old man firing up a stick with a big old ball of flames going on at the end of the cigar. For all the methodology I've heard, and all the overthinking and nuance, that single vision pretty much sealed it up for me.


QFT.

[Nathan King]

I slowly toast the foot without letting the flame touch. Once the entire foot is burning I remove the flame for 20 seconds and take my first gentle sip. This way, cigars never have a harsh or bitter start.

[boom]

No Puff.
I toast the foot until it is fully lit. Blow on the foot to make sure the entire foot is glowing. Then the first thing I do, before drawing is one little, quick purge (without the flame) just to blow out any Butane smell that might have pushed into the cigar during the lighting process (it takes a good 25 seconds or so of the torch to full light). Weather or not the small purge is necessary or not, its just something I do every time.

Same here...

[wayner123]

I watched a movie about the Fuente's and watched the old man firing up a stick with a big old ball of flames going on at the end of the cigar. For all the methodology I've heard, and all the overthinking and nuance, that single vision pretty much sealed it up for me.
I do sometimes toast the foot a little before I go wild, but I've pretty much dispensed with all the other playing around.

What did it seal up for you?

[icehog3]

What did it seal up for you?

From what I read, that it's just fine to set the cigar foot on fire to light it if you want. If it is good enough for Old Man Fuente, it's good enough for Scott. And me.

[Krish the Fish]

I usually puff and light, but yesterday I tried another method. I used a soft-flame and lit the entire foot of the cigar and then took some puffs on it. I think I might resort to this method from now on... Not as hot or bitter at first this way.

[Dan]

toast, cut, smoke

[sammyboy405]

I barely had the patience to make it through the video! ;) :r

Wow 3 Matches. Im thinking ok I get not cutting the cigar to hold some flavor in.. but if im going to do that imma use a torch lol