Can a torch lighter be too hot?

[VirginIslander]

Everytime I light a smoke with my $60 colibri (the only one I've had last more than 2 weeks, going on 4 months) it burns hot and tunnels. When I use the zippo immitation labeled 'st. thomas' I got free (haha, it was used), it burns great. Is this possible? I love the colibri but obviously, I don't use it....anyone else have an similar experience or do I just suck at [cigar smoking] life?

 

[smokemifugotem]

I have some issues like this with a couple of my lighters...I just try to ease the cigar towards the flame and then when it start to burn...stop. This can be up to an inch away from the actual flame.
But I know what you mean...my favorite lighter just stopped arching correctly and it really bums me out using something else. I know that the cheap ones still do the trick...but it is just not the same

 

[VirginIslander]

lol, I just don't like that fact that I overpaid (you over pay for everything here) for a lighter and the free one works better! Oh well. as the locals say the end 'soon come'

 

[Moro]

Torches should be used from farther away because, to answer yer question: they CAN be too hot. +400 F

 

[VirginIslander]

Torches should be used from farther away because, to answer yer question: they CAN be too hot. +400 F

Ok, I'm THAT much of a newbie....I'm comparing 2 torches. Even if I turn the flame down on the colibri, it still seems to scorch the cigar when used at the correct distance, whereas the cheapy works in most cases.

 

[Moro]

Ok, I'm THAT much of a newbie....I'm comparing 2 torches. Even if I turn the flame down on the colibri, it still seems to scorch the cigar when used at the correct distance, whereas the cheapy works in most cases.

Ok, when I saw Zippo imitation, I thought soft flame. I'm not sure, since I don't own a Colibri; but clean the lighter, maybe it's a tad clogged and the pressure makes it happen.

 

[VirginIslander]

well, they do have Zippo Blu (I have one and HATE it), but by imitiation I mean same design. rectangular with the flip top.

 

[Moro]

well, they do have Zippo Blu (I have one and HATE it), but by imitiation I mean same design. rectangular with the flip top.

I know now. And don't get the Blu.

 

[Hardcore]

Imho a torch can be way to hot. I was going to get a triple flame torch & decided on a double instead. It seems to give just the right amount of heat without screwing up the smoke.

 

[Cigary43]

How you light a cigar makes the difference from a decent cigar to a really good one. You can indeed burn a cigar with too hot a flame. A triple flame torch will heat up considerably a cigar if lit within one inch of the foot,,,,the flame should never touch the foot unless you are a part time welder. Soft flames are a good investment if you want your cigar to have the best taste possible. If possible get a single flame torch and just keep the flame from touching the foot and rotate the cigar while lighting,,,it takes time but the taste is much better.

 

[Mitch]

It's not the ligher you use as much as the technique. the flame should stay well away from the cigar with a torch, and the tripple flames are brutal. I talked about heat some in the primer I put together a while back.

[ame="http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=24701"]Cigar Primer for New Smokers - BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf[/ame]

 

[Gordy]

my Bic lighter never lets me down :smokingco i like keeping it simple

 

[VirginIslander]

It's not the ligher you use as much as the technique. the flame should stay well away from the cigar with a torch, and the tripple flames are brutal. I talked about heat some in the primer I put together a while back.

Cigar Primer for New Smokers - BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf

yeah but my same technique used with the two lighters doesnt yield the same results (with similar sized flames). Thats why I started this thread.

 

[gibbleguts]

similar sized flames doesn't always mean the same amount of heat. Dumb thing I have found out is that it takes me just as long to light a cigar with a triple flame, Single flame or soft flame lighter. I guess my answer would be try not using the same technique with the two lighters. Try to be gentler with the colibri even if they seem to have the same size flame. It always seems to take me a minute or 2 to light a cigar. By the third or fourth match I have burnt my fingers too much, same with a bic. Don't blame the tool just adjust your style:smokingco

 

[Volusianator]

It's not the ligher you use as much as the technique.

Amen, flame is flame in most cases, and a torch albeit a single, double or triple flame all should burn about the same. You just have more or less flame to deal with, keep that torch flame away from your cigar, warm the end, don't burn it. Hell, you can light that cigar with a torch and never take a draw with the flame never touching the tobacco, patience. Cigarettes are a fix, cigars are a lifestyle. Learning all the subtleties makes all the difference.

 

[terrantheman]

it sounds like you like to make a fire cave out of your cigar... you should try "lightly" toasting the foot then proceed to light and don't suck to hard it's just a cigar man not a milkshake.

 

[Volusianator]

don't suck to hard it's just a cigar man not a milkshake.

Fucking BOTL line of the year right there man, that's an instant classic!

 

[Kurtdesign1]

similar sized flames doesn't always mean the same amount of heat. Dumb thing I have found out is that it takes me just as long to light a cigar with a triple flame, Single flame or soft flame lighter. I guess my answer would be try not using the same technique with the two lighters. Try to be gentler with the colibri even if they seem to have the same size flame. It always seems to take me a minute or 2 to light a cigar. By the third or fourth match I have burnt my fingers too much, same with a bic. Don't blame the tool just adjust your style:smokingco

The above is gospel. Good post, Gibble.

You should try lighting your cigar without ever drawing on it. It may take the one or two minutes mentioned above but if you concentrate on the proper distance for the amount of heat each lighter puts off, this 'no draw' method practically guarantees a perfect result. I light 100% of my cigars this way and just touch up the wrapper on the rare occasion its needed after I start smoking.

 

[gibbleguts]

I totally agree on the no draw method being my prefered method. I still get some krusty old smokers looking at me funny as I do it, but is the best way for me to make sure that it is ready to go from the first puff.

 

[Kurtdesign1]

I totally agree on the no draw method being my prefered method. I still get some krusty old smokers looking at me funny as I do it, but is the best way for me to make sure that it is ready to go from the first puff.

Great minds think alike. It's too bad you're in Alberta. It'd be nice to share a smoke. I hate to say that my usual trek to have a cigar is slightly less distance. :rolling: