Off-gassing

Bageland2000 · 01-12-2012, 10:42 PM

A guy at a cigar store in Long Grove, IL today showed me a pretty amazing trick. Have any of you heard of off-gassing? Apparently when cigars age (especially when they're full bodied) they give off ammonia gas. Ammonia tastes bitter when ignited and can ruin cigars. Here's what he had me do.

1. Light the cigar as normal
2. Smoke about 1/4 inch
3. Round off the ash in the ashtray.
4. Place the cigar in your mouth at a 45 degree angle above perpendicular to the floor.
5. As you blow very hard through the cigar, hold a soft flame at the end of the cigar.

The flame ignited the ammonia, and after the flame was removed (as I continued to blow through the cigar) there was a blue flame like the end of the cigar was a torch lighter! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. I repeated after rotated the cigar, then waited about 30 seconds. The flavor profile was improved like 5 times! All bitterness was gone. I'm assuming I'm not the only one who's heard of this!?

CigarSquid · 01-12-2012, 10:49 PM

I have heard of purging, but not lighting the purge.

Bill86 · 01-12-2012, 10:50 PM

Yeah people call it fire purging or flame purging or something like that.

colinb913 · 01-12-2012, 10:51 PM

Basically all you did was a purge with lighting the purged gases a flame. Thats how I do it, just because I think it looks cool. :P

01-12-2012, 10:53 PM

I think pnoon knows something about this gassing...

CigarSquid · 01-12-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colinb913

Basically all you did was a purge with lighting the purged gases a flame. Thats how I do it, just because I think it looks cool. :P

I will try it next time I smoke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

I think pnoon knows something about this gassing...

Glad I only see him over the comp

Bageland2000 · 01-12-2012, 11:01 PM

I was under the impression that a purge was a quick blow through the cigar. Didn't realize that it took a good ten seconds to get all the ammonia out (proven be the fact that the flame was there for that long) I mean it REALLY changed the way the smoke tasted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

I think pnoon knows something about this gassing...

I'll bet he doesn't light them

01-12-2012, 11:05 PM

I want to apologize in advance to Peter, it was a "rude and unattractive" thing for me to say about him

RevSmoke · 01-12-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

I think pnoon knows something about this gassing...

I'm sure he isn't the only one here who knows about gassing.

Right MJ?

Ismith75 · 01-12-2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bageland2000

A guy at a cigar store in Long Grove, IL today showed me a pretty amazing trick. Have any of you heard of off-gassing? Apparently when cigars age (especially when they're full bodied) they give off ammonia gas. Ammonia tastes bitter when ignited and can ruin cigars. Here's what he had me do.

1. Light the cigar as normal
2. Smoke about 1/4 inch
3. Round off the ash in the ashtray.
4. Place the cigar in your mouth at a 45 degree angle above perpendicular to the floor.
5. As you blow very hard through the cigar, hold a soft flame at the end of the cigar.

The flame ignited the ammonia, and after the flame was removed (as I continued to blow through the cigar) there was a blue flame like the end of the cigar was a torch lighter! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. I repeated after rotated the cigar, then waited about 30 seconds. The flavor profile was improved like 5 times! All bitterness was gone. I'm assuming I'm not the only one who's heard of this!?

I'm at that shop all the time. We'll have to meet for a smoke.

RevSmoke · 01-12-2012, 11:09 PM

Flame purging (as I call it) can be done anytime in the smoking of a cigar. If it get bitter, blow through the lit cigar for a complete breath, 30-90 seconds.

Then, using a flame (preferably a soft flame - that's a yellow flame -vs- a torch, blue flame) held up to the foot, blow through the cigar. This will "purge" the amonia and other things causing bitterness, burning the off is the purge process.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

44stampede · 01-12-2012, 11:15 PM

This is super cool. The things you learn...

01-12-2012, 11:15 PM

I had no idea about any of this "nonsense".

I mean I purge every so often when I smoke by blowing for about 10 seconds or or so, but I had no idea that it took 6 to 9 times that to get it out.

Question: Is holding a flame to the purge merely for theatrical purposes?

Carrying two lighters with me (torch and soft flame) while standing in a river while my other hand holds a fly rod might be a little difficult...

01-12-2012, 11:18 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZi2ZlHbMGs

Sorry for the thread jack, back on topic

01-12-2012, 11:47 PM

I hate to be the only one who is like wow thats freggin amazing but WOW THATS FREGGIN AMAZING. Here I have been waiting for the celo to yellow out before I smoked a cigar to get the ammonia out of it. The taste is crazy better!

Savor the Stick · 01-12-2012, 11:59 PM

I do the flame purge, and continue until the flame cannot be sustained; then I know all of the unburned, nastiness is out of the cigar.---Usually about twice in a toro sized cigar.
I do this when the taste of the cigar gets off, or bitter. Also maduro's tend to need this more. and helps to correct burn issues as well.

Volusianator · 01-13-2012, 12:37 AM

If a cigar is smoked at a proper pace, very rarely will it ever need to be purged. Doing is just cause it "looks cool" shows your immaturity in cigars.

Bageland2000 · 01-13-2012, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44stampede

This is super cool. The things you learn...

glad I could bring this to the light of day for you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyirishman

I had no idea about any of this "nonsense".

I mean I purge every so often when I smoke by blowing for about 10 seconds or or so, but I had no idea that it took 6 to 9 times that to get it out.

Question: Is holding a flame to the purge merely for theatrical purposes?

Carrying two lighters with me (torch and soft flame) while standing in a river while my other hand holds a fly rod might be a little difficult...

that's the exact question I asked the guy at the shop. he said that the flame does draw out the ammonia. either way it looks cool

Quote:

Originally Posted by coty

I hate to be the only one who is like wow thats freggin amazing but WOW THATS FREGGIN AMAZING. Here I have been waiting for the celo to yellow out before I smoked a cigar to get the ammonia out of it. The taste is crazy better!

literally my thoughts exactly. I was amazed at how much the flavor changed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volusianator

If a cigar is smoked at a proper pace, very rarely will it ever need to be purged. Doing is just cause it "looks cool" shows your immaturity in cigars.

haters gotta hate

01-13-2012, 01:39 AM

Awesome, I just learned my new thing of the day. I knew there was a reason I was spending so much time around here.

I apologize up front if my immaturity is offensive to anyone, but

44stampede · 01-13-2012, 02:43 AM

Parlour trick or not, I'm trying it. Not necessarily the lighting part but if I can purge to help the taste then why not?

01-12-2012, 10:42 PM	#1
Bageland2000 On another adventure Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Andrew Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 352 Trading: (2)	Off-gassing A guy at a cigar store in Long Grove, IL today showed me a pretty amazing trick. Have any of you heard of off-gassing? Apparently when cigars age (especially when they're full bodied) they give off ammonia gas. Ammonia tastes bitter when ignited and can ruin cigars. Here's what he had me do. 1. Light the cigar as normal 2. Smoke about 1/4 inch 3. Round off the ash in the ashtray. 4. Place the cigar in your mouth at a 45 degree angle above perpendicular to the floor. 5. As you blow very hard through the cigar, hold a soft flame at the end of the cigar. The flame ignited the ammonia, and after the flame was removed (as I continued to blow through the cigar) there was a blue flame like the end of the cigar was a torch lighter! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. I repeated after rotated the cigar, then waited about 30 seconds. The flavor profile was improved like 5 times! All bitterness was gone. I'm assuming I'm not the only one who's heard of this!? __________________ Favorites: Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Rosado, Oliva Serie V, CAO La Traviata/Brazilia, Perdomo 10th An. Champagne

01-12-2012, 10:49 PM	#2
CigarSquid AKA Garryyjr Join Date: Apr 2011 First Name: Garry Location: Medford, OR - Cigar Zombie Posts: 3,213 Trading: (39)	Re: Off-gassing I have heard of purging, but not lighting the purge. __________________ gaRRy

01-12-2012, 10:50 PM	#3
Bill86 Snob Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Bill Posts: 6,704 Trading: (67)	Re: Off-gassing Yeah people call it fire purging or flame purging or something like that. __________________ I'm drunk......but I'll get drunker! - Doug Stanhope

01-12-2012, 10:51 PM	#4
colinb913 Workin' at a Cigar Shop Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: Colin Location: Indiana Posts: 540 Trading: (1)	Re: Off-gassing Basically all you did was a purge with lighting the purged gases a flame. Thats how I do it, just because I think it looks cool. :P __________________ Carpe Diem.

01-12-2012, 10:53 PM	#5
ChicagoWhiteSox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Off-gassing I think pnoon knows something about this gassing...

01-12-2012, 11:05 PM	#8
ChicagoWhiteSox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Off-gassing I want to apologize in advance to Peter, it was a "rude and unattractive" thing for me to say about him

01-12-2012, 11:09 PM	#11
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,849 Trading: (51)	Re: Off-gassing Flame purging (as I call it) can be done anytime in the smoking of a cigar. If it get bitter, blow through the lit cigar for a complete breath, 30-90 seconds. Then, using a flame (preferably a soft flame - that's a yellow flame -vs- a torch, blue flame) held up to the foot, blow through the cigar. This will "purge" the amonia and other things causing bitterness, burning the off is the purge process. Peace of the Lord be with you. __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

01-12-2012, 11:15 PM	#12
44stampede Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2011 First Name: Brett Location: Singapore Posts: 985 Trading: (21)	Re: Off-gassing This is super cool. The things you learn... __________________ Found his new, addictive time waster.

01-12-2012, 11:15 PM	#13
crazyirishman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Off-gassing I had no idea about any of this "nonsense". I mean I purge every so often when I smoke by blowing for about 10 seconds or or so, but I had no idea that it took 6 to 9 times that to get it out. Question: Is holding a flame to the purge merely for theatrical purposes? Carrying two lighters with me (torch and soft flame) while standing in a river while my other hand holds a fly rod might be a little difficult...

01-12-2012, 11:18 PM	#14
ChicagoWhiteSox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Off-gassing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZi2ZlHbMGs Sorry for the thread jack, back on topic

01-12-2012, 11:47 PM	#15
coty Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Off-gassing I hate to be the only one who is like wow thats freggin amazing but WOW THATS FREGGIN AMAZING. Here I have been waiting for the celo to yellow out before I smoked a cigar to get the ammonia out of it. The taste is crazy better!

01-12-2012, 11:59 PM	#16
Savor the Stick ~Loves the Lord~ Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin, or just K Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 1,945 Trading: (67)	Re: Off-gassing I do the flame purge, and continue until the flame cannot be sustained; then I know all of the unburned, nastiness is out of the cigar.---Usually about twice in a toro sized cigar. I do this when the taste of the cigar gets off, or bitter. Also maduro's tend to need this more. and helps to correct burn issues as well. __________________ Pastor K Please Support the Troops

01-13-2012, 12:37 AM	#17
Volusianator Bikes, Babes & Cigars! Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Wade Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 1,438 Trading: (17)	Re: Off-gassing If a cigar is smoked at a proper pace, very rarely will it ever need to be purged. Doing is just cause it "looks cool" shows your immaturity in cigars. __________________ Overtime pays more because of what you're missing, money isn't everything.

01-13-2012, 01:39 AM	#19
Dr Voss Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Off-gassing Awesome, I just learned my new thing of the day. I knew there was a reason I was spending so much time around here. I apologize up front if my immaturity is offensive to anyone, but

01-13-2012, 02:43 AM	#20
44stampede Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2011 First Name: Brett Location: Singapore Posts: 985 Trading: (21)	Re: Off-gassing Parlour trick or not, I'm trying it. Not necessarily the lighting part but if I can purge to help the taste then why not? __________________ Found his new, addictive time waster.