Why Do Cigars Canoe?

Cigar canoeing is the most common problem with cigars in South Tampa, FL.

One of the most common problems that we’ve seen at Findy Cigar Company & Hookah Lounge in South Tampa is canoeing, which can significantly damage the condition of a cigar, ruining the experience of smoking it. But what is canoeing? And how can it be avoided? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Canoeing vs Tunneling?

Canoeing is also known as cigar running or cigar flagging and means that one part of the cigar burns at a different rate than the other, meaning that after a while, the cigar splits and begins to look like a canoe.

While canoeing is a common problem, there are other cigar issues that have similarities, meaning that your cigar problem can often be misdiagnosed. Tunneling is the most common of these, and this is where the inside of the cigar continues to burn while the wrapper does not. This will not lead to the cigar splitting in half.

How Can You Prevent Cigar Canoeing?

There are a number of different ways to help prevent cigar canoeing. Firstly, it is important to store your cigars in the correct manner, to keep them in good condition. Cigars need a particular temperature, and humidity level in order to stay at their best and the easiest way to do this is using a humidor. The humidor itself needs to have good airflow as this ensures that the cigar does not dry out unevenly, leading to uneven burning.

Additionally, consider carefully how you light the cigar. Often canoeing can occur because the full bottom of the cigar has not been lit properly. When lighting, it is important to take your time to ensure that all of the base is lit evenly, as this can help prevent canoeing.

If you have already lit your cigar, and find that it is beginning to burn unevenly, consider putting it out and reburning it. This is not a fix that helps one hundred percent of the time, but it is worth trying. If you find that one side is not burning as well, focus on this side when relighting to ensure it begins to burn correctly, then move on to the other side. It is important to note that when trying this method, you may need to do this multiple times until you reach the end of the cigar.

Finally, consider using the simple but effective finger lick method. By licking your finger and pressing down on the part of the cigar that is beginning to split, it can even out the cigar cherry. This is commonly used by those who smoke cigars often but does take some practice in order to perfect the technique. The key is a little saliva, not a lot.

Findy Cigars Don’t Canoe.

The higher quality the cigar, the less likely it is to split. Findy cigars, for example, are made from a blend of high-quality tobacco from Nicaragua, Dominica, Indonesia and Ecuador. If these cigars are stored correctly, then you will have no issues with canoeing, so try them out today and enjoy our spacious patio in South Tampa.