Lighting a pipe or cigar is an art form that requires practice and patience. To get the best results, it's important to use the right tools and techniques. Matches are the traditional method for lighting a pipe, but soft-flame lighters and torch lighters are also popular. Zippo lighters should be avoided, as they contain naphtha which can give an unpleasant flavor to the tobacco.
For cigars and pipes, a high-quality lighter such as the Julius from Colibri is recommended. To light a pipe with a match, start by lighting the match and keeping the flame on the surface of the tobacco. Move the flame around the bowl slowly as you inhale through the pipe, making sure that all the tobacco is ignited and burning evenly. Don't just light the match and keep it motionless against the top of the bowl.
Instead, keep the flame moving across the surface of the bowl, drawing smoothly as you do so. When using a cigarette lighter or torch lighter, let the flame burn for several seconds before touching it with the tobacco to reduce any naphtha flavor. Torch lighters offer a much more aggressive and hot flame that rises from the top of the lighter, while cigarette lighters have a softer flame that covers a larger area and usually squirts out from the side of the lighter. Turning your pipe on and off again correctly is a multi-step process that will take practice. Start by packing your pipe with tobacco, then light it with your chosen method. Make sure to keep the flame moving across the surface of the bowl, drawing smoothly as you do so.
Once your pipe is lit, you can enjoy your smoke. When you're finished, let your pipe cool down before emptying it out. Having a high-quality lighter makes all the difference when it comes to lighting a pipe or cigar. Avoid Zippos and BICs from convenience stores and invest in a good quality lighter for best results. With practice and patience, you'll soon be able to light your pipe or cigar like an expert.
