Steps To Lighting Your Cigar Using A Cigar Lighter

One of the most common questions asked by first time cigar smokers concerns using a cigar lighter to actually get their smoke going. Lighting that cigar is certainly a necessity, but there’s also an art to it. Successfully lighting a cigar requires several things, including patience, knowhow and the right tools. Those tools include a butane lighter, and a cigar cutter. It’s important that you have high quality tools, as well.

The first thing you need to do is to remove about 1/8th of an inch from the cap of the cigar. To do this, place the cutter on the shoulder of the cap and cut. You will find that this really only applies to guillotine cutters, though, as the process is different with scissors or a punch. When the cap has been cut, you can start the actual lighting process. However, don’t touch that flame to the cigar just yet. You need to warm it up first.

This is a process called toasting and it is required to bring the tobacco up to temperature. You should also ensure that the lighter you use is fueled with butane, rather than lighter fluid, as butane is odorless and tasteless. Therefore, it will not taint the cigar with any chemical flavors or odors. Once the cigar has been toasted, you can continue with the lighting process. Place the cigar in your mouth at a 45-degree angle. Hold the cigar’s body with one hand and use the other to hold the lighter. Light the lighter and hold the cigar over the flame. Turn the cigar in your mouth, and draw on it as it turns.

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.

Turn the cigar while drawing on it and you will see the flame bend to caress the foot of the cigar. Turing the cigar at this point ensures that the entire end is lit evenly, which is essential to avoid runs and uneven burning. When the cigar is lit evenly, take it out of your mouth. Inspect the foot of the cigar and locate any areas that are unlit or just smoldering. Reapply the flame to these areas and your cigar will be ready to smoke, offering considerable relaxation and enjoyment.

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.