Avoiding Common Mistakes: How To Properly Put Out A Cigar

Every good thing must come to an end, including cigars, but what do you do when you reach the end of your cigar? You can't just flick it away and be done with it, nor should you smoosh it into submission like a cigarette.

When it comes to putting out your cigar, there is one technique that 99.9% of the cigar community agrees is the correct way. In this article we will explain this simple three step process along with a faster way to put out a cigar if you are in a hurry

The Correct Way To Put Out A Cigar 

Just like toasting the foot of your cigar, there is a tried and true method to ash your cigar. No matter who you ask in the cigar community, they will all recommend this as the number one way to ash your cigar. It is very simple, only three steps!

Step 1: Place Your Cigar In The Ashtray

The easiest, and most common, way to ash a cigar is to just put it in an ashtray. That's it. Double check that it won't roll or fall out then you can walk away from it. This method is known amongst cigar enthusiasts as "letting the cigar die with dignity".

Many people who enjoy their cigars take the craft very seriously. It isn't just a cigar, it's a work of art. A premium, long filler cigar takes anywhere from 2 to 5 years to go from seed to shelf.

Avoid Stamping Your Cigar Out

Stamping your cigar out into the ashtray will cause it to release odours that can linger in the air and permeate your clothes. This is considered bad cigar etiquette in the smoking community and is a sure-fire way for you to draw attention to yourself if you are enjoying a cigar at a lounge or with a group of people.

Step 2: Wait For Your Cigar To Go Out

Cigars do not take very long to extinguish. Once you have placed it in the ashtray it will become starved of oxygen and start to go out within a few minutes. Although the cigar may feel cool to the touch, we recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before disposing it. This may sound like overkill but it's better to err on the side of caution rather than risk burning your house down!

Step 3: Properly Dispose Your Cigar

Once your cigar is fully extinguished, you can safely dispose of it. Many people discard their cigar butts in the trash, but there are other options if you are feeling green. Since cigars are made of all natural materials, you can put them in your compost or mulch piles. The tobacco leaves and ash will break down, contributing to your nutrient-rich fertilizer.

If you decide to go down the compost/mulch route, do not put your cigar band and cellophane wrapper in with it. Although most cigar bands are made of paper, they contain ink and plastic from the lamination process. Although cellophane is typically compostable, it takes significantly longer to break down than most organic food scraps do.

The Faster Way To Put A Cigar Out Is: 

If you are in a hurry or do not have time to wait for your cigar to fully extinguish, you can completely submerge it in a glass of water for a few seconds. This will snuff out the ember and cool down the cigar in a fraction of the time compared to the method we described earlier.

While this is the faster method, there are a few unavoidable negatives associated with it. Aside from the cigar being sticky and soggy, it will smell foul once it is removed from the water. Not only that, but parts of the cigar (mainly the ash) will break off into the water, making it smell and look unpleasant, too.

We recommend using this method only as a last resort and not at a cigar lounge. Some seasoned cigar aficionados may turn their noses up at you or audibly gasp at the sight of a soggy cigar.

Summary

This simple three-step process to properly put out your cigar is the preferred method amongst cigar enthusiasts. It is very easy to remember and requires barely any effort to do. You can channel your inner Ron Popeil and literally set it and forget it.

Want to learn more about cigars? Here are some other articles we have written:

- A Beginners Guide To Cigar Etiquette

- Cigar Terminology Guide

- A Simple Guide To Cigar Shapes And Sizes

- How To Properly Light And Toast The Foot Of A Cigar

- Never Ruin A Cigar Again: The Best Touch-Up And Relighting Tips

- Preserve Your Smoke: How To Save A Half-Smoked Cigar

- Should You Keep The Cellophane On Your Cigars Or Take It Off?

- How To Properly Store Your Cigars

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