Purging

[Jwrussell]

a cigar of course. Saw JeffsJeep's question. So, I always purge with a lighter when I can and I probably purge 3-5 times per cigar. I purge during the cigar even if it hasn't gone out because I think it can bring the tates back if the cigar has gotten too hot, and even if it hasn't.

THoughts?

[Wasch_24]

I only purge the stale smoke in the cigar if it has gone out. A couple times I have had a cigar turn south and a good purge, without flame, fixed it...but this has been rare.

[derek]

I only purge if I feel the cigar is burning to hot

[Black Dog]

Like some others have said, I generally only purge if the cigar is getting hot or the flavor is going south. I also do it if I need to set it down for a few minutes so stale smoke isn't just sitting in the cigar. I don't use a lighter while purging anymore since I personally don't think it adds any benefit. My reasoning is that whatever gasses burning in the flame are already out of the cigar anyway so firing it up at that point is useless except being kinda cool to see sometimes.

[Jwrussell]

For those who haven't/don't purge regularly I urge you to give it a try. Pick a point halfway through the cigar. Doesn't matter how it's burning/smoking, just go ahead and purge. I think you'll be surprised at the flavors that come blasting through.

[sunivy]

Purge when it seems the flavor going south -- also seems to help if there are burn problems.

[Poni]

I must have misunderstood the concept of purging. I thought it was just blowing through the cigar everyonce and a while. :scratchhe

[Wasch_24]

That's what it is. Some folks put a lighter to the foot while doing it too.

[Poni]

That's what it is. Some folks put a lighter to the foot while doing it too.

I'll have to try it with a lighter, never thought of that.

Do you just blow through the cigar once, or kinda blow-draw, blow-draw (i know...twob)

[allanf]

That's what it is. Some folks put a lighter to the foot while doing it too.

Is that what you'd call giving a hot foot?
:rolling: :rolling: :rolling:

[Embers]

I typically end up purging cigars with tight draws or if I am smoking too fast. They tend to get kind of a tar like taste.

I like to hold the lighter to the foot when I purge, only long enough to get a flame started then it will stay ignited on its own until the cigar is blown out. I have also found it important to tap the end off the ash after a purge.

[Embers]

I'll have to try it with a lighter, never thought of that.

Do you just blow through the cigar once, or kinda blow-draw, blow-draw (i know...twob)

The trick I do, is to continuously blow into the cigar while pulling air in through my nose at the same time, that way I don't have to relight the end once the flame is going. Watch out if yo have a beard or mustache, this is a good way to lose one.

[vewyphishy]

I still have no idea what you guys are talking about... what type of lighter are you holding at the foot? torch or flame?

What does purging actually do to the cigar? I know the end result that it cools the smoke (how?) and that the taste can change (again... how?)

Curious to know.

[Embers]

I think the idea is that tars build up in the cigar as you smoke it or if you let the cigar go out upon relighting there will be a stale or harsh taste. Purging burns off those tars or clears out the stale smoke left in the cigar and restores the taste. Doesn't matter what type of lighter you use and some folks don't light the flame at all, I just like the flame thrower effect.

That is how I have always read into it.

[Wasch_24]

I purge before relighting beause the smoke may have become stale while sitting inside the cigar.

[vewyphishy]

so the lighter at the foot of the cigar is strictly for pyrotechnics?

[The Prince]

I only purge sometimes, if I must relight or touch-up a stick.

[Black Dog]

so the lighter at the foot of the cigar is strictly for pyrotechnics?
That's just my opinion. I really don't know if it makes a difference. Mostly I'm prolly just too lazy. :wink:

[caudio51]

I try to do this every so often if NEEDED. Otherwise I just puff away.

[Crazy_Llama]

Hum I always thought that purging was just for getting the stale smoke out of your cigar when it has gone out. I think I'll have to try purging the next time I smoke one of my JR Ultimate Turros. They seem to go south at the mid point, I'm not sure if it is the nicotine reaking havock on me or if it could just use a good purge (now that I know purging can help flavor) and the pyrotchnics sounds like it would be cool.


Oh yeah by the way for those of you that know I was gone I am now back till summer again. It's good to be back.

[caudio51]

Purging is good stuff, I do it regularly now...

[cvm4]

Yes it is :thumbsup:

[MichiganM]

In all my years of smoking cigars I've never purged, however I've never let a cigar go out either. I'm very particular in making sure I have time to smoke a cigar.

[jcgoldner]

If I get two bad puffs, I'm purging. You'd be surprised how quickly that works.

[BOTL]

I only purge if it goes out. If it gets hot, I simply stop huffing on it so much and let it cool.

[cvm4]

Good advice if it gets too hot. I do the same

[schuellk]

It depends on the cigar, but when I just start getting a lot of stale flavors or that "ashtray" kind of taste, usually a quick purge takes care of it.

[turtle]

I only purge if my mask gets fogged and I have to flood it to clear it up.:stretchgr

Seriously, though I never even thought about trying it if a cigar goes south. Thanks for the tips.

[Doofus]

If I get two bad puffs, I'm purging. You'd be surprised how quickly that works.

I'm with you. I purge a lot after the 1/2 way mark.

Don't know if lighting it really makes a difference, but it sure looks cool.

[DWSC_Bob]

I only purge if I feel the cigar is burning to hot
Since all you are doing is blowing more oxygen across the burn, it is doubtful this would in any way help with a cigar burning too hot. Only solution for too hot is letit rest.

[djs134]

As the cigar burns, some of the oils build up ahead of the "cherry". On cigars with a higher moisture content (whether due to ligero leaf or high rh) you tend to get an off flavor at times. I will purge with a lighter at the foot until it can burn on its own and continue purging until the flame goes out. Sometimes this can take up to about 20 second (especially if I'm relighting). Once the purging is finished my sticks will taste better and will generally burn better. I find that this works for heavier smokes that I'm smoking too slowly on or relighting sticks that have gone out.

But then, that me. YRMV....

[Wasch_24]

I know purge in the same manner for the same reasons Dan.

It really does help the flavors IMO.

[djs134]

Course, it distracts other drivers when you do it in the car alongside the road..... :eyequiver :headroll:

[Wasch_24]

No shit! I've gotten a few double takes! :driving:

[CWS]

I'll be damned! I have always purged when leaving a cigar for a while and I know I am coming back to it. I have never heard of trying it at the half way point to clear oils and tar. I will give it a try. You learn something every day!
Thanks.

[CWS]

Bump for the new guys.:glassesgr

[Wasch_24]

Excellent bump!

[cvm4]

Definitely something everyone should do when the cigar dwindles down.

[caudio51]

Nice bump, I love a good purge

[Boppa-Wasch]

Tried it! Works great and flavor does improve!!

[Wasch_24]

Top-a-rooski

[Boppa-Wasch]

Still works for me!

[jmatkins]

Bump for the new guys.:glassesgr

Thanks for the tip, and the bump.

[coyote_5]

Thanks for the bump, I had no idea! :scratchhe

So if you hold a lighter to the foot while purging you get a large flame?

[djs134]

The large flame will only occur if you have a lot of oils built up. Generally this is the result of letting a cigar go out without blowing through it to get the excess smoke out. If I know I'm going to set one down and let it go out, I blow gently through it to purge the smoke so that it won't get stale in the cigar. But if it goes out from absentmindedness or distractions this is a good way to restart a stick.

[vperlman]

I purge pretty frequently, depending on the flavor of the cigar. These days, I always use a lighter when purging --- it works much better than just blowing, and people are fascinated by the flame-thrower effect.:riflefire

[WhiteLightning]

As the cigar burns, some of the oils build up ahead of the "cherry". On cigars with a higher moisture content (whether due to ligero leaf or high rh) you tend to get an off flavor at times. I will purge with a lighter at the foot until it can burn on its own and continue purging until the flame goes out. Sometimes this can take up to about 20 second (especially if I'm relighting). Once the purging is finished my sticks will taste better and will generally burn better. I find that this works for heavier smokes that I'm smoking too slowly on or relighting sticks that have gone out.

But then, that me. YRMV....

This sounds like some good info.

and BUMP.

[SkinsFanLarry]

The only time I have been known to purge is when I'm not getting a good draw and I want to lossen up the leaves.

[strife]

I used to only purge when I had taste or heat issues now I find myself purging, without a lighter, at the final third mostly out of habit now. It just seems to freshen up the cigar.

[blooz4u]

I usually purge about the final third as well Mike!

[SkinsFanLarry]

I usually purge about the final third as well Mike!

After reading this post, I'm gonna have to try it, at least more often than I'm doing now. :cbig:

[CWS]

Good idea

[bwhyte]

So basically puring is blowing through the cigar. you can do with or without a flame. Generally this should be done for how long? 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc....?

[strife]

So basically puring is blowing through the cigar. you can do with or without a flame. Generally this should be done for how long? 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc....?

Take a breath and however much you've inhaled blow back through. Be careful of any embers that may spark out and most important KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE FOOT!! The hot gas coming out can burn the shit out of you.

[CuritibaRex]

One thing to consider is that purging while smoking a premium cigar, tends to negate (to a degree) the buildup of flavors wrought by the accumulation of oil and tars that were designed to enhance the smoking experience. You can test this yourself. Smell the aromas from off the shoulder and cut. Purge the cigar. Before taking another draw, smell the shoulder and cut again. You might find that the cigar has been "reset" to near zero aromas again, or certainly the aromas have changed. While this may be good for a cigar that is maybe starting to go south, it can ruin the inherent build up and finish designed into a very fine cigar.

I like what a couple brothers said in this thread. If things are starting to taste bad from a cigar that started out pretty good, perhaps that is an indication the draws are being spaced too closely together and there is a heat issue inside. Before you try purging, try resting the cigar 45, 60 or 90 seconds between puffs and see if characteristics can be reconstituted in that fashion.

I do purge if, after my cigar has burned out, I know I will be relighting it later. As was stated, to remove any smoke from inside that might grow stale and contaminate the filler during the down time.