Butane Lighters and Fuel Usage
1 Comment by / November 11, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsMany individuals who prefer to purchase reusable products have moved from fluid-filled lighters to a butane lighter. These devices are cleaner-burning, impart no taste to tobacco and come in designs that are as windproof as their fluid-filled cousins. They also provide a very long service life and can be purchased in designs with ornamented and commemorative cases. While their reliability is not an issue, many individuals wonder how many lights they can get out of a tank of fuel.
Butane torches use pressurized gas which is held in the reservoir portion of the device. Though the lighter may have a large size, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it has a large reservoir of fuel attached. In fact, some larger lighters have rather small reservoirs relative to the size of the device on the whole. The larger tanks are oftentimes found on the more expensive models, principally those with more than one flame, that consume more fuel simply because they produce a hotter and more energetic flame.
Torch lighters can be adjusted to allow for a shorter, less powerful flame. This can help to conserve a great deal of fuel. In cases where one’s lighter is just about out of fuel and one is far away from home, this can help to get a few extra lights out of the torch. Remember that keeping a sustained flame will burn a very large amount of fuel, as well, and should be avoided if one is almost dry.
With larger lighters, the reservoir is oftentimes very much enlarged to accommodate more powerful flames and multiple jets. This has the effect of balancing out the number of lights that one can expect from a full tank of fuel with what one would expect from a less-powerful lighter. In either case, butane is a long-lasting fuel and even a lighter which is heavily-used should only have to be refueled a couple of times each month. Relative to the weight, butane lighters provide many more lights than liquid-filled lighters.
In the end, the most efficient lighters will be those that produce the gentlest flame. Turning one’s flame up higher will diminish the efficiency. In most cases, one can count on at least 100 lights out of their butane reservoir depending upon their usage habits and the number of jets on their lighter. To increase this number, one may simply turn down the fuel valve a bit.
Is it Okay to Smoke Only Half of a Cigar?
0 Comment by / November 6, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsOne can easily picture the scene. A smoker has stubbed out their cigar halfway through, they pick up the stogie, grab their Nibo lighter and get ready to relight it and are immediately warned by a friend that they should only smoke the first half of the cigar.
The taste of a cigar will, of course, change a bit as one gets closer to the end. Whether or not this is desirable is completely a matter of personal taste. The best way to find out is to experiment and there are few cigar smokers who would object to this sort of investigation!
The taste of the cigar changes because tar builds up in the tobacco as one puffs through it. This is unavoidable. It’s not that the tobacco is any different from one end of the cigar to the other, it’s simply that the byproducts of combustion inevitably build up and affect the flavor. Many individuals find this change in taste quite enjoyable and, as one gets more used to the flavor of the cigar, one also gets more “bite” off of each puff which makes it enjoyable from start to finish.
A cigar’s flavor may change a bit because, of course, the tobacco dries out a bit as the heat from the smoke travels through the wrapper. This also gives the last part of the cigar a slightly different flavor than the first part. This is unavoidable and, again, there are no hard and fast rules about this. Some individuals will stub out their cigar halfway through and others will chew on the butt long after its gone out on its own. It’s all up to the individual and one’s own preference should be the only thing that guides their choice in this regard.
Fine cigars are not cheap and their price is justified in the quality of their tobacco and in the technique used in wrapping the leaves. Saying that one should smoke only half of a cigar is akin to saying one should only eat half of a gourmet chicken because the taste of the meat changes slightly as one approaches the bone. It is a matter of preference and little more. Some individuals will find that the cigar becomes too strong for their taste toward the end and, in these cases, it is preferable to change brands rather than to waste fully half of a gourmet cigar. There are many mild brands on the market from which to choose.
Cigar Lighter and Cutter Combos
0 Comment by / November 2, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsIf you enjoy smoking cigars, you’re carrying on a pastime that has been around for a very long time. Few things can compare to the enjoyment derived from a luxurious, high quality cigar. Of course, if you do smoke, you’ll realize quickly that you need a cutter and a quality lighter to help ensure your smoking enjoyment. You’ll find that one of the most popular options is to choose a cigar lighter with a cutter for your needs. These combination units offer quite a bit of convenience, as well as quality operation and other benefits.
What types of cutters do these combination devices come with? You’ll find that there are several different configurations for your convenience. In fact, you can find almost any type of cutter you might want combined with a high quality torch lighter. This is another factor you’ll want to consider. Most combination devices make use of the benefits of a jet torch type flame. This ensures that they are windproof and that you are able to enjoy a smooth, easy light every time.
What type of cutter do you prefer? You will find that numerous styles of cutters are available on the market. Many smokers choose to make use of a guillotine style cutter in tandem with a torch lighter. You’ll find a hole in the center of the lighter through which you slide the tip of the cigar. Depressing the blade cuts off the tip. You will also find lighters manufactured with punch cutters, as well as lighters that combine torch operation with a pair of scissors. You’ll need to know which style you prefer in order to ensure you are able to obtain the best operation possible.
If you do not know your own preferences, or how each type of cutter works, you can wind up with a product with which you are unsatisfied. This is simply throwing money down the drain. You must determine what type of cutter you prefer using, as well as the style of lighter you like.
You’ll also need to consider the lighter portion of the device. Do you want a single torch head? Do you want a dual flame model? Would you prefer a triple headed lighter? You’ll find all of these options available and quite a few more, so choose carefully when opting for any lighter/cutter combo.
What Types of Tools Can Cut a Cigar Properly?
0 Comment by / October 28, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsWhen it comes to cigars, you are going to need to know a few things about them before you get started as a smoker. You are going to want to familiarize yourself with the various tools of the trade, including humidors, torch and windproof lighters, and cutters. One of the questions often asked by those who are starting out with cigars is in regards to cutting. They often want to know what the various tools are available to cut a cigar. You will find that there are many different options available when it comes to cutting a cigar, but some of them are far better than the others are.
One of the most commonly seen and used types of cutter on the market is the guillotine cutter. They have single and double bladed versions, and many claim that the double bladed versions offer you a cleaner cut on the head of the cigar. These cutters are easy to use, and you can even find lighter and cutter combinations.
V-cutters are a tool also used for cigar cutting. Some people find that they are useful, but there is a chance that you can actually ruin your cigar when using these cutters. They can create jagged edges at the opening, which means that you aren’t going to get a clean cut and the cigar will not be as pleasant. Cigar scissors are another option, but these take a while to learn to use effectively. Most people don’t want to take the time to practice and possibly ruin some of their precious cigars while they are doing it. They can be hard to use when you don’t know what you are doing. Still, they are an option and one that some people prefer.
A workable option if you don’t have a cutter is a knife. Of course, you need to be sure that the knife is very sharp and that it is clean. Choose a nice knife and then only use it for cutting your cigars. If you use it for other things, it could ruin the taste of the cigar.
The above are just a few of the tools that people sometimes use to light their cigars. You can take some time to experiment with the different available tools, but keep in mind that you want to find something that will give you an easy cut. When you find a tool that works well for cutting, you should stick to it.
Charging a Humidifier for Your Hygrometer
0 Comment by / September 28, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsIs it Okay to Dip My Cigars in Cognac or Rum?
0 Comment by / September 18, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsSmoking cigars can be a wonderful and relaxing pastime. You can have a great time picking out your lighter, your humidor, and your cutter, as well as learning about cigars. You will find many types of cigars from which to choose, and you will find that there are a number of stories and traditions arising from cigars. One of the most popular traditions that you might have heard is that some people dip their cigars into cognac or rum, thinking that it will add moisture and flavor to the cigars. Is this a good idea and something that you want to do with your own cigars? The answer is no, and you will hear this from just about every cigar shop that you ask.
Even though you might think that dipping them into alcohol will give them a good flavor, it is not a good idea. The only reason that people ever dipped their cigars into these alcohols was so that they could add moisture to them. Of course, this was long before humidors and humidity control. Today, there is no reason that you should dip your cigars in alcohol. You might even completely ruin the cigar when you try.
You might think that dipping them into rum or cognac would add some extra flavor to them. The cigars will not smell like the alcohol when they burn though (if you are lucky enough to get them lit after dipping them). You can even take away the natural flavors that the cigar offers, which is going to be a big disappointment. As you can see, there is no good reason that you should dip your cigars in alcohol. To keep those cigars moist and fresh, you simply need to get a good humidor in which to store them. This is much easier and you aren’t going to ruin them by mistake.
Something that you might want to try is to have cognac or rum on the side when you are smoking your cigar. You will find that this is a very popular way of enjoying both the alcohol and the cigar. You can have the full flavor of each and might be surprised at how well the complement each other.
Don’t believe all the stories surrounding cigars. You should take the time to learn as much as you can so that you will have the knowledge you need to enjoy your pastime without ruining any of your cigars!
How to Fix a Cigar That is Difficult to Draw
0 Comment by / September 14, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsHand rolled cigars are the favorite among many cigar smokers. You will be able to find a number of these cigars from various parts of the world, cigars that have incredible aromas and a great flavor. However, sometimes they can be difficult to draw on and hard to keep lit, even when lighting with good cigar lighters. It can sometimes feel as though you are puffing on a cigar that has something inside of it blocking the smoke. That is exactly what is happening in these cases.
Sometimes, cigars are rolled too tightly. This doesn’t happen often, but there is a good chance that at some point you are going to find a cigar that is difficult to draw. Don’t worry and don’t discard the cigar. You can fix the problem, and it won’t take very much effort or much time.
The first thing you are going to want to do is use your thumb and forefinger to feel along the cigar. Start at the cap of the cigar, the end that you put in your mouth, and feel along the cigar until you find a hard spot. This hard spot is bunched up tobacco that is causing the blockage. Light the cigar and try to draw on it while gently squeezing the hard spot. This should loosen the material so that you don’t have the blockage that is stopping the flow of smoke.
If you still have a problem with drawing on the cigar, check for more of these blockages and repeat the above steps. Within no time, you should have a cigar that is free of blocks and easy to smoke. If the cigar goes out while you are doing this, simply relight it and continue working on the cigar. Remember to draw on the cigar as you try to loosen those blockages.
Gurkha Cigar Combot Kit Gives Cigars to Troops
0 Comment by / August 26, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsCheapHumidors.com has put together a package featuring Gurkha cigars and cigar accessories. For each kit that is sold, CheapHumidors.com will donate a cigar to a member of the military.
Dave Sabot, President of CheapHumidors.com, announced a new cigar package that will be available online. This package features Gurkha Factum Cigars with an aged Cameroon wrapper, Dominican binder and Dominican Long Filler.
Additionally, the combo kit comes with a 10 cigar travel humidor lined in Spanish cedar and has a magnetic lid closure, a Lotus Vertigo Jazz single flame torch lighter, a double blade guillotine cutter and a crystal gel humidifier.
The retail price on this package is $89.99 but is available at: http://www.cheaphumidors.com/GURKHA-COMBO-IMP.html for $39.99. No specials, promo codes, coupons, etc will be accepted. Cheaphumidors.com is also limiting this promotion to only 5 per customer.
Mr. Sabot is most excited that for every combo kit sold, a cigar will be donated to a member of our armed forces, “It feels good to be able to give back to the men and women who put their lives on the line on a daily basis to protect our freedom.” Dave went on to say that, “This type of program gives the consumer a way to thank our military personnel by helping to bring the comforts of home to the field.”
What Makes a Good Ashtray for Cigars?
0 Comment by / August 17, 2009 / Posted in Cigar Smoking TipsIf you enjoy smoking a fine cigar, you likely know that there are many essential accessories that you need. Items like butane torch lighters are essential, but you will also need several other items. For instance, you could certainly make use of a quality cigar holder for transportation of your cigars. You also need a good ashtray. What makes a good ashtray for cigars? You certainly don’t want to use those ugly, tiny things made for cigarettes. Likewise, many modern ashtrays are simply unusable for those who smoke cigars. What should you find?
Glass – Heavy, glass ashtrays are eminently suited for cigar smokers. Glass can look quite stylish, is heavy enough to prevent accidental tipping and can be found in a wide range of styles. However, you will need to ensure that the ashtray offers the holders sized to fit the stogies of your choice. You will also need to ensure that the design of the ashtray meshes with your smoking style; some even offer holders for butane torch lighters or other devices.
Metal – Metal ashtrays can be quality, though there are many inferior ones on the market. However, if you are able to locate a heavy metal ashtray, it can put you in good stead for many years. Of course, you will need to ensure that the metal ashtray you choose offers the same benefits as a glass ashtray, including design and cigar holders.
Ceramic – Ceramic ashtrays can be quite lovely and will make a unique centerpiece for your smoking area. In addition, large ceramic ashtrays (large enough to hold the ashes from two cigars) are usually more affordable than glass or metal ashtrays. However, the problem with ceramic is that it is often more fragile than other options available.
When choosing ashtrays for your smoking area, you can look for options where you purchase butane torch lighters and other essentials. Any tobacco shop, catalog or website should offer numerous options to help you obtain the ashtray that you need for better comfort and enjoyment during your smoking.
Finding a provider offering a quality ashtray isn’t terribly difficult. You’ll find that most companies feature butane torch lighters, ashtrays, cigars, humidors and other essentials at good prices. Make sure, however, that the ashtray you choose is large enough to accommodate the ashes from at least two cigars, as well as offering you a nice focal point.



