Looking for the best way to light your favorite smoke? If you’ve ever wondered whether a match or a lighter is better, this post is for you.
We’ll look at the pros and cons of each option so you can decide which suits your cigar smoking best.
Quick answer: A butane torch lighter is usually more effective, especially for larger cigars and outdoors. Long wooden matches work well too when you have time, as long as you avoid sulfur-tipped paper matches.
Is Lighting a Cigar With a Match Better Than a Torch Lighter?
It depends on the type of cigar you’re lighting. Both matches and torch lighters do the job, but a torch lighter is often more effective.
- Torch lighter: gives a more even, consistent flame, which especially helps with larger cigars.
- Matches: also suitable, but they burn out quickly and take more patience. They can leave a sulfur aftertaste and aren’t always easy to find.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on the type of cigar and your personal preference.
| Factor | Wooden match | Butane torch lighter |
|---|---|---|
| Flame | Soft, heats slowly | Larger, hotter, more consistent |
| Speed | Slower, burns out quickly | Faster, less effort |
| Large ring gauge cigars | Harder; may need two matches | Easier, especially with triple or quadruple flames |
| Wind | Struggles in a breeze | Windproof flame, good outdoors |
| Taste risk | Sulfur from paper or sulfur-tipped matches | Charring if held too close |
| Availability | Often free at cigar shops and lounges | Readily available, travels well |
Advantages of Lighting a Cigar with a Match
- Control: you can light the entire foot of the cigar before drawing, so it’s lit evenly and burns evenly.
- Soft flame: a match heats the tobacco slowly, which helps reduce unpleasant sulfur taste.
- Aroma: a wooden match can add a pleasant aroma to the cigar. Avoid books of matches.
- Simplicity: a match is one of the most basic ways to light a cigar, so it’s easy to learn and use.
Advantages of Lighting a Cigar with a Lighter
Lighters have plenty going for them:
- More control: you can adjust the flame’s size and intensity, which lets you toast the foot evenly.
- Better for big cigars: many lighters have triple or quadruple flames that heat the entire foot of a big ring gauge cigar.
- A bigger, steadier flame: torch lighters give a larger, more consistent flame than a match, making the end of the cigar easier to light.
- Faster, with less effort: butane torches put out more heat than matches, so the cigar lights quicker.
- Convenient: lighters are easy to use, readily available and travel well.
With a little practice, a lighter can even give a more even burn than matches. All in all, lighters are a great choice for lighting a cigar.
Drawbacks of Using a Match or Lighter
Both methods have downsides.
Matches:
- A breeze can make lighting difficult.
- Short matches may not light the cigar in one go, so you may need to use two matches at once.
- A match head gives only a small flame that can be hard to keep going long enough to light the end. That’s why most cigar shops offer longer match sticks.
Lighters:
- They can produce too much heat, charring the foot and leaving an unpleasant taste.
With either one, it can be hard to control how much heat reaches the cigar’s foot.
Should You Use a Match or a Lighter?
Deciding between matches and a lighter can be difficult. Both have advantages, and the right one may depend on the situation or your preference.
- Matches are easy to find and often free at cigar retailers and lounges. They produce a soft flame that heats the cigar slowly, though sulfur matches can interfere with the taste.
- Torch lighters are great for smoking outdoors and often have multiple flames for an even light.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which option is best for your cigar-smoking experience.
Tips for Lighting a Cigar with Matches
Use long wooden matches. Avoid convenience store paper matches, which contain sulfur that can ruin the taste of the cigar.
- Light the match.
- Hold it several inches away from the foot of the cigar.
- Rotate the cigar while drawing on it slowly.
- Stop when a vibrant cherry forms and the cigar is lit evenly.
Tips for Lighting a Cigar with a Lighter
The key with a lighter is to keep the flame away from the foot of the cigar.
- Hold the lighter at least two inches away from the foot.
- Move the flame in a circular motion around the foot.
- Keep going until it’s lit evenly. This helps prevent charring.
Tip: use a lighter designed specifically for cigars that runs on butane. It will give you the best results.
How to Light a Cedar Stick
You can light a cedar stick with a match or a lighter, such as a butane lighter with high-quality gas.
Some cigar smokers prefer lighting their cigars with cedar spills because they add a pleasant aroma to the cigar.
Matches aren’t always the best option outdoors or when you light up on a whim. When you have the luxury of time, though, they work fine.
In the end, the best way to light your cigar is whichever method you enjoy most.
Common Mistakes When Lighting a Cigar
Avoid these common mistakes to keep your cigar’s flavor intact:
- Sulfur-tipped matches: the sulfur can alter the taste of your cigar.
- Overdoing it with a torch: overburning the tobacco with a butane torch lighter can destroy the flavor.
- Lighter fluid and cardboard matches: both can interfere with the flavor.
- Repeated touch-ups: light the cigar correctly the first time. Avoid touching up or relighting it to preserve its flavor.
Which Lighter Is Best for a Cigar?
The best lighter for a cigar depends on your preference and the circumstances.
- Smoking outdoors: a torch lighter can be the best choice thanks to its windproof flame.
- Want something traditional: a wooden match is perfectly acceptable and dependable.
- Want dependable flame control: butane lighters provide it and are often preferred by cigar lovers.
Whatever you choose should give an even, consistent light that won’t affect the taste of your cigar.
jay
Self proclaimed cigar expert. I've been smoking since 2010. I've practically lived at a cigar lounge from 10am to 10pm and trying every new cigar that came out for years.