Cigar Lighters – How To Select One

A good cigar lighter is an integral part of your cigar smoking experience. Surprisingly how you light your cigar matters. There is an art to getting the perfect glow on your favorite stogie that makes all the difference in enjoyment. It’s difficult to achieve the correct and most beneficial lighting up of your cigar without a cigar lighter. In fact, it’s darn near impossible.

An experienced cigar connoisseur understands you don’t take your favorite Ashton Classic and put a full flame match or grocery store disposable to the tip. This is a finely crafted tobacco product and it needs to be finessed with some skill. There are lighters designed specifically for the act of lighting your precious Perfecto or choice Corona.

Before we delve into the specifics of cigar lighters let’s take a brief look into the history and evolution of these instruments of fire, shall we?

The Invention of The Lighter and It’s Evolution

In the early 1800s, not too long after the invention of the match, lighters came about. The first somewhat clumsy models were often homemade contraptions fashioned from converted flintlock pistols. These rudimentary lighters weren’t all that reliable, and neither were the matchsticks that were also common at the time.

Enter German chemist Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner who, in 1825, developed a prototype for a standalone lighter. While Döbereiner christened his invention “feuerzeug” which means lighter in German, people more often referred to the invention by its nickname, “Döbereiner’s Lamp” as it resembled a small lantern.

The “portable” lighter incorporated a chemical reaction that produced hydrogen which created the flame. These early lighters proved to be popular, even if they weren’t exactly easily portable and were even a little dangerous. Within three years of inventing his “lamp” Döbereiner sold more than 20,000 standalone lighters.

About 70 years after Döbereiner introduced the world to portable flame an Austrian scientist named Carl Auer von Welsbach patented ferrocerium. Often confused with flint the ferrocerium produces a spark when scratched. This spark serves to ignite the fuel, at that time naphtha, within the lighter to produce a flame. About a decade later flint became the popular choice to light the fuel. The popularity of flint was the first step in a series of incremental steps that brought about today’s precision cigar lighters.

Improvements made to the safety and sustainability of the spark-to-flame process accelerated during the First World War when soldiers used empty shell cartridges to create lighters. They added a ventilated cap to protect the flame. After the war, further modifications were made and suddenly this former- luxury item was being mass produced. Thanks to George Blaisdell the founder of Zippo, lighters were now accessible to everyone.

The Controllable Light Necessary to Cigar Lighting

So there you have it. The evolution of the lighter. Now, you may wonder how the early lighters became such a precision tool as the cigar lighter we have today. Household (well, if you’re in a cigar-knowledgeable household, that is) names such as St. DuPont, Dunhill and Colibri began adding lighters to their product lines.

Fuel changed as well. The early lighters sustained their flame with the oily byproduct of petroleum, naphtha. In the 1930s savvy lighter makers found the off-putting smell and unpredictable nature of naphtha could actually be replaced by the less offensive and more controllable butane. Butane also facilitated its own spark, negating the need for ferrocerium or flint.

The spark created via butane is called the piezoelectric spark and brings flame to life by applying pressure against a crystal that contains electricity. With an easy turn of a wheel or press of a button the lighter was activated. Applied pressure creates a release of electricity or spark which lights the fuel. The butane gas sustained the flame eliminating a need for any type of wick.

The controllability of these new butane fueled lighters opened up a whole new world in cigar land. In addition to the soft (natural) flame, lighters that produce torch flame, jet flame and multiple flames were perfected. Most cigar smokers prefer a torch or a multi torch flame to produce a light that addresses the many tobacco leaf layers of a cigar. Of course, the type of lighter you prefer is a personal choice but, as mentioned earlier, there is an art to lighting a cigar and everyone who enjoys smoking a cigar should know how to light it.

The Art of The Well-Lit Cigar

Lighting a cigar isn’t like lighting a cigarette or pipe or candles on a birthday cake. When you light your cigar patience is key. You’re bringing to life all that was intended by those who created your cigar in the first place. Each piece of tobacco, binder, filler and wrapper is intended to be lit evenly. This imparts the rich flavors, both subtle and bold, in the manner in which the cigar maker intended for your enjoyment.

An evenly lit cigar also creates an even burn while you’re smoking. Uneven burning interferes with the pleasure of the experience. Consider this: you’ve selected this precious tobacco product using your discerning and well-honed taste, you’ve secured and aged your cigar in a top-shelf humidor and you’ve earmarked this outstanding stogie for this exact moment in time. Why take a chance on an uneven burn? Or charring the foot? Use the right tool for the job, a cigar lighter. And follow these tips for the right way to light your cigar.

• Ever toast a marshmallow? Sure you can set it on fire and end up with a blackened goopy mess or you can take your time and roast your campfire delight just over the flame and you’ll have an evenly toasted, perfectly melty marshmallow treat. So it is with lighting a cigar. If you put the foot directly into the flame, as you would a cigarette, you’ll cause your tobacco to burn too hot and ruin the delicate balance of flavors you enjoy. Hold your cigar just out of the flames reach and if you accidentally get too close just pull your cigar from the flame and carry on. No worries! You haven’t ruined your stellar stogie by getting too close for a few seconds.

• Gently rotate the foot of your cigar so that all areas are equally heated. Continue in this manner until there’s a glowing ring around the foot of your cigar and the edges of the foot are just slightly blackened. This does require patience but it’s all part of the Zen of cigar-smoking.

• Raise the end opposite the tip to your mouth and draw your first puff. Does the ember cast an even burn? If not then gently blow on the glowing end until a smooth and completely circular ash becomes evident. You can also retouch the end by heating it with the cigar lighter.

Using a flame source that isn’t intended to light cigars can and will alter the flavors that were painstakingly developed in your stogie. An oil-fueled lighter, sulfur tipped match, candle or reusable metal lighter like a Zippo can all add unappealing flavors to your cigar. The best way to light your cigar and keep the flavors pure is with a lighter specifically intended for cigar lighting.

But Which Kind of Cigar Lighter?

There’s no need to spend a lot on a cigar lighter unless you want a gorgeous statement piece or intend to give a lovely and practical gift to your favorite cigar lover. There are really only a few requirements that make the ideal cigar lighter; it must fit comfortably in the hand, ignite with ease and maintain a light every time. Bonus benefits include wind resistance, ability to adapt to altitude and easy maintenance and refueling.

Don’t be intimidated when selecting the right cigar lighter. Beyond those must-haves you have some options that suit your style and the type of light you want. Most cigar aficionados own different lighters for different types of cigars. Here are the two main types of cigar lighters and a little bit about them.

Soft Flame Cigar Lighters

Soft flame lighters burn much more slowly than torch flames which gives an even toast to your cigar foot. These are wonderful lighters for those who need to practice patience and the Zen of cigar lighting.

The soft flame lighter produces a flame that’s, well, soft. Soft flame lighters do have some trouble maintaining a flame in breezy weather. If you like to enjoy a nice smoke while out on the water, golf course or on the porch of your mountain cabin the more powerful torch flame lighter may be a better option.

Because the flame produced by the soft flame lighter isn’t very strong you may need to hold the cigar closer or keep the flame burning a much longer time than with a torch lighter. This can expose your cigar to the odor and, thus, flavor of the fuel (butane) long enough to alter the taste of your smoke. But the soft flame is a sound choice for those more recently into cigar smoking as it facilitates that slow and patient approach.

If you’re in a serene environment with no breeze, such as inside, the soft flame does have benefits. The flame this cigar lighter produces is gentle and won’t easily burn or scorch your cigar, yet it easily gets the job done. At Northwoods Humidors we have an excellent selection of soft flame lighters.

Torch Flame Cigar Lighters

The torch flame lighter is the one most cigar smokers prefer. The ultra hot flame lights your cigar quickly and thoroughly and there are several windproof and wind-resistant models as well as those for higher altitudes. The dependable torch flame is able to toast the foot of your cigar without the need to puff or draw on it.

If your cigar is burning unevenly a torch flame works well for touching up the light. The precision flame allows you to hone in on the areas where the wrapper leaf has an uneven burn. If you aren’t careful, however, the super-hot torch flame may scorch or char your cigar.

The torch flame cigar lighter burns at nearly twice the temperature of the soft flame cigar lighter. If someone is inexperienced in lighting cigars they may hold the torch flame too close and burn the cigar. There’s also the top part of the flame which is invisible to the naked eye and if you don’t hold the foot of the cigar sufficiently away from the flame you could end up incinerating your stogie or impacting the flavor of your favorite cigar with the aggressive fuel blast of a torch cigar lighter.

As you may expect with a powerful and high-precision instrument such as the torch flame cigar lighter there is maintenance involved. In order for the flame to burn evenly you should clean out the jets occasionally using compressed air. The components of this high-power cigar lighter are known to wear out from time to time with use. You may need to send your torch flame lighter out for repairs at some point.

Subcategories of Torch Flame Lighter and When You May Need Them

Any good cigar accessory is available in a variety of standards and the torch lighter is no different. Here we tell you a little about the subcategories of the torch style cigar lighter.

• Single Jet: The single jet torch lighter, as the name implies, issues its flame from a single nozzle. The single jet offers a degree of accuracy preferred by some cigar smokers. The single jet lighter also allows more control over how the cigar is lit and provides for touch-ups when the light is uneven. These lighters are slim and discreet enough to carry in your pocket without any obvious sign. The downside to the single jet torch lighter? All of the energy of the heat and flame goes to one point which means higher heat at the areas where placement is focused. The single jet torch is best suited for small cigars.

• Double Jet: The larger your cigar the wider the area. A double jet torch lighter spreads the flame over a wider area by virtue of an additional nozzle. The even distribution of heat and flame is due to the double flame sources. The double jet torch lighter is a great choice for those who smoke the small to medium varieties of cigar.

• Multi-Jet: Savvy cigar smoker that you are, by now you’re seeing the pattern. Bigger cigars need a wider spread of flame and so triple and quadruple jet flames provide an excellent light for larger cigars. The multi-jet torch cigar lighters supply a consistent and even flame for the large-ring stogies that are popular among cigar smokers. Of course, if you are a more patient cigar aficionado who prefers exacting control over the lighting of your smoke a single jet may be your preference even for the bigger ring cigars.

Flat Flame Lighters: The Newest Type of Cigar Lighter

Cigar enthusiasts are taking a shine to the new flat flame cigar lighters. Using the same premise as the torch flame the flat flame offers a unique flame shape. The flat flame cigar lighter creates an even and consistent lighting surface for the foot of the cigar. As you might imagine this cigar lighter provides an even burn from the get-go. The flat flame lighter is also wind resistant so it works wherever you are.

Why You Need More Than One Lighter in Your Collection

So, as you see, different lighters have different applications. If you’re going to enjoy your smoke you should use the right tool for the job. For example a triple jet torch cigar lighter will light your large ring stogie with ease, but what will it do to your cigarillo? Talk about overkill! You probably won’t have much left to enjoy.

For the smaller ring cigars you need a single jet. Even a soft flame could work. If you want to light your 70 ring cigar using a single jet you can do it quite successfully but it’s going to take a good bit of that patience we talked about. And your lighter is going to get pretty hot too.

Another benefit to having a few different lighters? You’ll always have a spare to carry in your travel humidor so when you arrive at your destination, whether a campsite, hunting lodge, guy’s trip or simply an evening at your favorite cigar lounge, you can enjoy your cigar.

Fuel 101

When you bleed or fuel your cigar lighter you must do so with the utmost of attention and care, especially in the beginning. This is the time when things can go wrong, and as Mr. Murphy’s law dictates, they probably will. So, please pay attention to these words of wisdom and helpful tips.

Bleeding Your Lighter

Each time you activate your lighter the flame uses some butane. As it burns, however, the butane is replaced by compressed air which keeps the flame burning. When you run out of butane your cigar lighter is not necessarily empty. Air remains and it needs to be let out before you refuel. Let’s talk about how to bleed your lighter.

Ideally, you need a bleeder tool. If you don’t have one and don’t care to get one then you can use a paper clip, unfolded, or a toothpick or even a very small screwdriver as those in eyeglass kits. You just want something that’s small and strong enough to maintain continual pressure on the valve opening on the bottom (usually but refer to manufacturers’ particulars). Place your tool into the valve and completely evacuate the tank of air. The air coming out is cold and will make a hissing sound like air coming out of a bicycle tire. Shake your lighter a little to make sure the air is escaping. Once you no longer hear the hissing sound you can stop the pressure.

Fueling Your Lighter With Clean Fuel

Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to fuel your lighter. Once you’ve located the valve insert the nozzle of your butane can into the valve. Push firmly to ensure a good seal so no butane is wasted or gets on your clothes. Disperse the butane into your lighter until you see it is full in the fuel window.

The next step is to bleed your lighter again with a quick touch of your bleeding tool. This is to make sure the lighter is sealed and no air is getting into the tank. That way as the butane does its thing you will get many more lights from the fill.

Some of Our Customers’ Favorite Butanes for Fueling Your Lighter

Xikar High Performance Butane 8 oz Cigar Lighter Fuel Refill

Xikar’s high performance butane refill is specially formulated for superior performance of jet flame lighters. It contains more accelerant than other butane, which you especially want to use in lighters rated for high-altitude use. However, the force produced by the extra accelerant may be too powerful for lighters not rated for high-altitude use and cause them to malfunction. Lastly, because it’s produced with nearly zero impurities it won’t clog the fuel line or contribute to misfires, extending the life and performance of your cigar lighter.

Colibri 300ml Premium Butane Cigar Lighter Refill

Colibri butane is the purest butane available. Long appreciated for the exacting standards to which they designed their jet-flame lighters, this celebrated name in cigar lighters produces their butane in world-class refineries and in the cleanest and purest environments. Colibri butane carries a 99.9994% level of purity meaning the life of your lighter is extended and the chance of costly repairs is reduced.

Northwoods Humidors for All of Your Cigar Enjoyment Needs

For everything you need for your cigar smoking pleasure, from cigar lighters to fuel to humidors and other accessories, turn to Northwoods Humidors. Our attention to what true cigar lovers desire to enhance the enjoyment of cigars is why our longtime customers keep coming back. We know cigars and we know you. As your cigar hobby grows, turn to Northwoods Humidors. We’re unmatched in customer care, and it shows.