How to Put Out a Cigar: 3 Easy Steps + Expert Tips

Dec 5, 2024

Cigars are more than just a smoking pastime—they’re an experience, a ritual, and a symbol of leisure. However, knowing how to properly extinguish a cigar is just as important as selecting the right one. Improperly putting out a cigar can lead to unpleasant odors, wasted tobacco, and even safety hazards. This guide will walk you through three easy steps to extinguish your cigar correctly, along with practical tips to enhance your smoking experience.

Why It’s Important to Properly Put Out a Cigar

Properly extinguishing a cigar is not just a matter of courtesy; it has practical benefits that can elevate your smoking experience and ensure safety.

1. Avoids Damage for Relighting

If you plan to relight your cigar later, how you extinguish it matters. Stubbing or crushing the end can damage the structure and ruin its ability to draw smoothly. Letting it burn out naturally preserves the integrity of the cigar.

2. Ensures Fire Safety

Cigars burn at a high temperature and can stay lit for several minutes after you set them down. Properly extinguishing your cigar reduces the risk of accidental fires, especially in outdoor settings or near flammable materials.

3. Preserves Flavor

When extinguished properly, a cigar retains much of its flavor, making relighting a more enjoyable experience. Mishandling the extinguishment process can leave a harsh, bitter taste due to smoldering tobacco..

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

Putting out a cigar properly ensures that it can be relit without compromising the taste and quality. Whether you're taking a break or finishing up your smoking session, following the right steps can make a significant difference. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you put out your cigar correctly.

Step 1: Let the Cigar Burn Out Naturally

One of the easiest and most effective ways to extinguish a cigar is simply to let it burn out on its own. By avoiding unnecessary handling, you preserve the cigar’s build, which is essential for relighting. 

Additionally, allowing the ember to naturally extinguish minimizes the release of excess smoke and bitter flavors, ensuring a better experience when you decide to light up again.

By being patient and placing the cigar in a proper ashtray, it will naturally extinguish itself within 5-10 minutes. This method is cleaner, safer, and better for the cigar.

Step 2: Place the Cigar in a Proper Ashtray

After letting the cigar burn out naturally, the next step is to ensure it’s placed in a safe and appropriate location—your ashtray. This is crucial for both safety and cleanliness.

Why a Proper Ashtray Matters

An ashtray is designed to hold the cigar securely, preventing it from rolling or tipping over. It also keeps the ash contained, minimizing mess and the risk of embers spreading. Ensure the ashtray is large enough to accommodate your cigar and has grooves or rests to hold it in place.

Shop High-Quality Ashtrays Here

Dos and Don’ts

  • Use an ashtray made from heat-resistant materials such as glass, ceramic, or metal.
  • Place the cigar on surfaces like paper, fabric, or wood, as they are flammable and pose a fire hazard.

Step 3: Ensure the Cigar Is Fully Extinguished

Once the cigar has burned out naturally, the final step is to confirm it’s fully extinguished. A smoldering cigar can still pose a fire risk, so this step is essential.

How to Check if It’s Fully Out

  1. Visual Inspection: Look for any glowing embers at the tip of the cigar. If there’s no visible glow, the ember has likely gone out.
  2. Touch Test: After several minutes, carefully tap the ash with a metal tool or a non-flammable surface to ensure no heat remains.
  3. Dispose Properly: Once you’re confident the cigar is out, dispose of it in a non-flammable container, like a metal trash can.

What to Avoid

  • Dousing in Water: While you might be tempted to dunk the cigar in water, this can create an unpleasant odor and unnecessary mess.
  • Blowing on the Ash: This may reignite the embers rather than extinguish them.

How To Choose the Right Ashtray for Your Cigar

Your ashtray plays a significant role in your cigar-smoking experience. Selecting the right one ensures both convenience and safety.

Types of Ashtrays to Consider

  • Glass Ashtrays: Elegant and heat-resistant, but prone to breaking. Ideal for indoor use.
  • Metal Ashtrays: Durable and functional but may get hot after prolonged use.
  • Ceramic Ashtrays: Stylish, easy to clean, and highly heat-resistant. A popular choice for cigar enthusiasts.
  • Wooden Ashtrays with Metal Inserts: Offers a classic look but requires careful maintenance to avoid scorching.

Material

Durability

Heat Resistance

Ease of Cleaning

Glass

Fragile

Excellent

Easy to clean

Metal

Very durable

Excellent

May require polishing

Ceramic

Durable

Excellent

Easy to clean

Wood (w/ metal inserts)

Moderate

Good (metal areas only)

Requires special care


How to Store a Half-Smoked Cigar

Sometimes, you might not have the time to finish an entire cigar in one sitting. Proper storage of a half-smoked cigar ensures that it remains fresh and enjoyable when you return to it. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Place It in a Sealed Container

A half-smoked cigar can emit strong odors that linger. Placing it in a sealed container helps contain the smell while protecting the cigar from external elements like dust or air that can dry it out. Choose an airtight glass or plastic container for the best results.

2. Store It in a Humidor

If you’re serious about cigars, a humidor is essential for maintaining the proper humidity level. After cutting off the burnt end of the cigar, store it in your humidor to retain moisture and prevent it from becoming stale.

3. Consider Cutting the Burnt End

To avoid bitter flavors when relighting, use a sharp cigar cutter to remove the burnt end before storage. This step ensures a clean start when you decide to smoke it again.

Pro Tip:

Avoid refrigerating or freezing a cigar, as extreme cold can damage its oils and flavor. Always store cigars in a controlled, room-temperature environment for optimal preservation.

Proper Cigar Etiquette in Social Situations

Enjoying a cigar is often a social activity, whether at a lounge or a private gathering. Following proper etiquette enhances the experience for everyone and reflects your respect for the people around you.

Indoor Etiquette

  1. Position yourself near ventilation or windows to minimize smoke accumulation.
  2. Always dispose of ash and embers neatly to avoid creating a mess.
  3. Ensure your smoke doesn’t waft into others’ personal space, especially if they’re not smoking.

Outdoor Etiquette

  1. Outdoor environments can be windy, making it crucial to use a steady, heavy ashtray to prevent accidents.
  2. Be cautious in dry or grassy areas to prevent the risk of fires. Always double-check that your cigar is fully extinguished before leaving.

FAQs About How To Put Out A Cigar

What happens if I stub out a cigar instead of letting it die naturally?

Stubbing out a cigar can create a harsh, unpleasant odor and render the remaining tobacco unsuitable for relighting. Cigars are more fragile than cigarettes, and crushing them disrupts their structure.

Does putting out a cigar affect its flavor when relit?

Yes, putting out a cigar may slightly alter its flavor when relit. The burnt tobacco from the previous session can leave a bitter taste. To minimize this, cut off the burnt end before relighting.

Can I use a cigar snuffer to put out my cigar?

Yes, a cigar snuffer is a tool that can be used to safely extinguish a cigar. It helps cut off oxygen to the burning part, allowing it to go out cleanly without crushing the cigar.

How can I minimize odor when putting out a cigar indoors?

Use an ashtray with a cover, ensure proper ventilation, or use an air purifier to help minimize odor. Letting the cigar burn out naturally is the best method to prevent a lingering smell.

Is there a difference in putting out machine-made vs. hand-rolled cigars?

Generally, both should be treated the same when putting them out. Allow them to burn out naturally rather than stubbing. Hand-rolled cigars may be more delicate, so extra care is needed to preserve them for relighting.

Conclusion

Putting out a cigar properly is essential for maintaining safety, preserving its flavor, and ensuring a mess-free smoking experience. By letting the cigar burn out naturally, using a proper ashtray, and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enjoy your cigars to the fullest—whether in one session or across multiple sittings.

For more premium cigars and expert smoking accessories, explore TRP Cigars, your trusted destination for the finest cigar products.