How to Put Out a Cigar the Right Way

Cigars don’t burn like cigarettes. They require a different approach to achieve safe extinguishing. To get the most out of the smoking experience, knowing how to extinguish a cigar properly is essential.

In this article, we discuss how to put out a cigar with a step-by-step guide. We’ll also cover why it’s important to put your cigar out properly and list some common mistakes to avoid.

Why It's Important to Put Out a Cigar Properly

Knowing how to properly put out a cigar is essential for several reasons:

• It helps preserve the flavor of the cigar. If you don’t put it out correctly, the flavor can become bitter, affecting the smoking experience.
• Putting out your cigar guarantees your safety. It eliminates the risk of accidental fires.
• It helps extend the lifespan of your cigar, preserving its integrity.

When Should I Put Out a Cigar?

Here are some tips for deciding on the appropriate time to put out your cigar:

• Let your cigar go out on its own once you’re tired of the flavor when there is somewhere between 2” to 4” of the cigar left.
• If you need to take a break from smoking halfway through, it’s okay to stop earlier and come back to it later. Leave it in the ashtray but try not to leave it in the open air for more than 30 minutes before starting again.
• If you receive a cigar as a gift, try to enjoy as much of it as possible, even if you don’t love the flavor. The flavors of a cigar can change as you smoke it, so you could grow to like it. Dispose of it like you would any other cigar. You could keep the band as a memento if it was a particularly rare cigar.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Put Out a Cigar

1. Purchase the proper ashtray

You’ll need the proper ashtray to safely put out your cigar. These are designed with wide grooves or holes for resting the cigar. The best cigar ashtrays have long surfaces to rest the cigar flat. Common materials include ceramic, cast iron, stainless steel, or crystal. All these materials are safe for putting out cigars, but ceramic and crystal can break if dropped.

2. Let it burn out

Next, you’ll need to know how to turn off a cigar. Once you’re finished with your cigar, simply place it on the ashtray, taking care not to press down. This is the best way to put out a cigar. The embers will extinguish naturally within a few minutes.

3. Allow ash to cool

The cigar’s tip will smoulder for a short amount of time after you stop smoking. Allow the end to cool before you handle it.

4. Dispose the cigar

Once the tip has cooled, dispose of your cigar in a fire-resistant trash container. This will avoid any accidents.

How to Put a Cigar Out in a Social Setting

In high-end clubs or cigar shops, members of staff may empty ashtrays and remove drinks. If you look around a room and don’t see an easy place to dispose of a cigar, politely ask for an ashtray from the host or venue.

In formal settings, there will often be rules regarding smoking and disposal. While some locations have designated areas for disposing of cigars, others require containers. If you’re visiting a new establishment, it’s useful to call up and enquire about etiquette beforehand.

Storing a Cigar for Later

It’s best to save your cigar for later if you’ve only enjoyed a small portion and you plan on continuing to smoke it soon. If you’ve smoked a large portion of the cigar, and it’s near the end, it can be more difficult to preserve.

If you’re wondering how to put out a cigar for later, a humidor is key. A well-made cigar humidor is integral for preserving and protecting your cigars. It maintains their flavor and prevents dryness. They help keep your cigars safe from harm and allow them to be stored for months or even years.

Cigars are best stored at a relative humidity of 65-70%, any lower and they’ll dry out. You should also wrap your half smoked cigar in cellophane. This will prevent it from affecting other cigars in the humidor.

Re-lighting a Cigar

If you want to enjoy the second portion of your cigar later, simply follow these steps:

1. Let the cigar go out on its own, then cut about a half-inch behind the ash line.
2. Put the cigar in a plastic bag and seal it tight. For the best results, finish the cigar within 24 hours. Waiting longer than 48 hours can result in a stale taste.
3. When it’s time to smoke the cigar again, make sure it’s had enough time to return to room temperature.
4. Before you light it again, check it hasn’t dried out. If it feels brittle, moisten the tip with your breath or wet it with your finger.

What NOT to Do When Putting Out a Cigar

Want to get it right? Here are some schoolboy errors to avoid:

• Don’t crush the cigar after you’re done smoking, let it cool on the tray, leaving it to go out naturally.
• Don’t discard the cigar while it’s still smoldering, as this can lead to an unpleasant odor.
• Don’t put the cigar out prematurely while there’s still a significant portion left to smoke. Instead, enjoy the full flavor profile and avoid extinguishing it too early.
• Always use a deep ashtray designed for cigars to stop ash and tobacco from spilling.

How to Dispose of a Cigar Properly

When disposing of a cigar in an indoor trash can, it is wise to put it inside a plastic sandwich bag. This will help contain the smell, especially if it’s a medium to full-bodied cigar. While you shouldn’t need to pour water over it to ensure that it is extinguished, you may do so if you’re in your own home.

If you frequently smoke at home, keep a dedicated metal trash can outside or in your garage. Never flush cigar nubs down a toilet, as they can cause serious clogs.

Cigars You Won’t Want To Put Out

Our guide should give you a sound understanding on when and how to put out your cigar. Now it’s time to explore Swiss Cuban Cigars – the premium online store for authentic Cuban cigars.

Every hand-rolled Cuban holds flavor that evolves as you savor it. When you light up a Cuban, you don’t just smoke – you indulge in an experience. It’s so smooth, so decadent, that you luxuriate peacefully in its presence. And later, you think about the next one. Discover the next cigar you won’t need to put out.