how to put out cigar

2 min read 16-01-2025

Cigar smoking is a refined pleasure, and knowing how to properly extinguish your cigar is a crucial part of the experience. Improperly extinguishing a cigar can leave a lingering unpleasant smell, waste a perfectly good smoke, and even be a fire hazard. This guide covers various methods, from the classic to the modern, ensuring you end your smoking session gracefully.

Why Proper Extinguishing Matters

Before diving into the methods, let's understand why proper extinguishing is so important. Leaving a cigar burning unattended is simply unsafe. A smoldering cigar can easily ignite flammable materials. Furthermore, improperly extinguished cigars can create an unpleasant odor that lingers long after the smoking experience.

Methods for Putting Out Your Cigar

Here are several effective ways to extinguish your cigar, each with its own pros and cons:

1. The Ashtray Method (Classic & Recommended)

This is the most traditional and often preferred method.

Step 1: Gently press the lit end of the cigar into the ash within your ashtray. Avoid forcefully jamming it in, as this can damage the cigar.
Step 2: Rotate the cigar slightly, ensuring even contact with the ash.
Step 3: Continue pressing and rotating until you see no more embers glowing. You should see only ash. This usually takes around 30 seconds.

Pros: Clean, effective, and widely accepted.

Cons: Requires a suitable ashtray.

2. The Ashtray Water Method (For Stubborn Cigars)

Sometimes, a cigar is particularly stubborn. For these occasions, the ashtray water method provides a reliable backup.

Step 1: Fill a sturdy ashtray with a small amount of water, covering the bottom (about an inch or less).
Step 2: Firmly and evenly press the lit end of the cigar into the water. This will quench the embers quickly and effectively.

Pros: Effective for stubborn cigars, minimizes lingering smells.

Cons: Can be messy.

3. The Cigar Cutter Method (Quick and Efficient)

If you need a quicker way to extinguish your cigar and have a sturdy cutter, this method can work. However, it's not the most elegant option.

Step 1: Use your cigar cutter to slice off the lit end of your cigar. Ensure it's a clean cut to prevent lingering embers.
Step 2: Check for glowing embers and repeat the cut as necessary. Discard the cut portion safely.

Pros: Quick and efficient, especially for already near-finished cigars.

Cons: Wastes some of the cigar, can be less aesthetically pleasing.

4. Avoid These Methods:

Stepping on it: This is messy and inconsiderate.
Snuffing it out harshly: This can create sparks and might not fully extinguish the cigar.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method for extinguishing a cigar depends on your personal preference, the available tools, and the type of cigar. For most situations, the classic ashtray method is ideal. The water method works well for stubborn cigars or when you want to minimize lingering odors. The cutter method should be used sparingly and only when time is of the essence.

Post-Extinguishing Care

Once your cigar is fully extinguished, discard it responsibly. Make sure all embers are out before disposing of it in a designated waste receptacle. Never leave a partially extinguished cigar unattended.

Conclusion: Respect the Ritual

Extinguishing your cigar is the final act in a ritual that should be treated with respect. Mastering the proper technique ensures that you're completing the experience with grace, ensuring both safety and a lingering sense of satisfaction, instead of a lingering smell of smoke. Remember to always practice responsible cigar smoking and disposal.