First Cigar

[johnlee1933]

John, consider drilling holes half way through into the body of the freezer and using The Great Stuff expanding foam to fill the exterior void to help with insulation. As for the humidity make sure that the rubber seal around the door is not too cracked/worn and make sure the interior shell isn't damaged (this could be a big leak of heat/humidity)

Thanks Mich. The kiln's empty right now and I'm going to tip it over and fill the space where the compressor was with packing "peanuts" and seal them in. The door seal seams look OK (magnetic) seal all around and clean. The door insulation is thin and I'm adding an extra inch inside. Deluxe Bob suggested extra insulation and I resisted because it's ugly but may have to do it anyway. I have to get it done cause I have two more loads to do and it's getting colder..

John

 

[marksctm]

Chris, Any chance you can get a dead upright freezer?

John I'v been looking all dam summer for one, and for a dead water heater for a thermostat with no luck.
Now after I buy a thermostat, and build a kiln, I'll see fridg, freezers, and water heaters every where!
Do you guys kiln rolled cigars, If I understand correctly?

 

[johnlee1933]

John I'v been looking all dam summer for one, and for a dead water heater for a thermostat with no luck.
Now after I buy a thermostat, and build a kiln, I'll see fridg, freezers, and water heaters every where!
Do you guys kiln rolled cigars, If I understand correctly?

I'm not sure I understand. But, no, I do not kiln cigars after I've rolled them. I do kiln my tobacco before I roll it if needed. On the other hand I don't see why you couldn't kiln finished cigars.

John

 

[marksctm]

No... it was my misunderstanding on putting cigars in kiln.
LOL my bad!

 

[deluxestogie]

Because of the differential in rate of drying between the wrapper and the filler (which will dry beginning with the open foot), a fully rolled cigar will tend to split when subjected to the humidity cycling that occurs in most kilns.

Bob

 

[marksctm]

Thanks Bob,
I apologize, I was thinking of the humidor.

 

[marksctm]

Well my first cigar draws, not the best, but it draws.
Doesn't burn the best, burns faster in side, than the binder and wrapper does.
Just going to let it sit out and dry some more I guess.
But it smells like a cigar, and taste's like a cigar.

 

[SmokesAhoy]

Awesome man! Now it's time to buy a pipe so there is less

 

[johnlee1933]

Doesn't burn the best, burns faster in side, than the binder and wrapper does.

I have had "Center burners" and "side burners" too. It seems to be random. I haven't figured out why yet. I ran into that with my commercial cigars but not as frequently. Maybe Deluxe has an answer.

John

 

[FmGrowit]

Cool cigar block you have there, whats that called?

Tim, It's called a "tuck" or cigar tuck, but most people list them on ebay simply as a cigar cutter. They range in price from about $500 by people who don't know they're only worth $30 - $40, to as little as $2.99.

 

[johnlee1933]

Tim, It's called a "tuck" or cigar tuck, but most people list them on ebay simply as a cigar cutter. They range in price from about $500 by people who don't know they're only worth $30 - $40, to as little as $2.99.

Don, I priced one new and decided I didn't need one that badly. Where would I search for a lower priced one? Thanks,

John

 

[FmGrowit]

Don, I priced one new and decided I didn't need one that badly. Where would I search for a lower priced one? Thanks,

John

Here's one


Here's an unusually designed one

 

[johnlee1933]

Here's one


Here's an unusually designed one

Thanks, I checked them out and placed a couple of bids. On reflection I believe I can make one.

John

 

[oldsouth]

Until you get the hang of rolling them perfectly, why not use a cigar draw poker or an ice pick to poke a little tunnel up through the tight cigars? I've had to do this sometimes with even the most expensive cigars that won't draw properly.

 

[marksctm]

The tobacco leaf threading needle was made by leverhead out of an umbrella wire. I haven't used it for that yet but it works fantastic if a cigar draws a little to hard to insert into middle of filler the length of the cigar spinning to assure you are centered and not at an angle. I used it for the cigar above and it draws great. I rolled this one a bit tighter for the better.

That's what BarG told me to do, so I took a umbrella that's been behind the back seat of my pickup for years and took a rib out of it, and it worked great. Thanks BarG and Ieverhead.
Filler still burns faster than out side.
I think binder and wrapper are victims of chlorinated city water.
I hope to be able to use it in blends of tobacco I grow next year for cigarettes.
After I put plants in ground this year, it didn't get rain for almost 2 months and didn't know effects of city water at the time. and I wartered the hell out of'em.

 

[Randy]

I have question about drying the cigar and draw..I rolled my cigars few days ago and to me they look good and lite ok..but as soon as you stop drawing they all go-out they feel dry enogh to smoke and taste ok..but staying lit thats the problem..by the way they were rolled with several differnt tobaccos from diff sources all have same promblem??

Randy

 

[FmGrowit]

Your filler is too wet. It the cigar gets mushy and warm, it's a sure sign of wet filler. Sometimes it just takes time to dry them out once they are rolled. I'd be careful using any forced drying method because it can very easily change the taste of the cigar.

The best thing to do is let them rest in a humidor, but I know that isn't practical all the time, so you might just let them sit in the open for a day or so and try lighting one. It's impossible to say how long it will take to dry since I have no idea how wet the filler is.

 

[Steve2md]

yep, what Don said. Wet filler is your culprit. When rolling, your filler leaf should be just moist enough to not break apart while rolling. as low case as possible.

 

[Randy]

Hello Steve;

thanks Don and Steve for reply...but I have to disagree with you guys here.first filler was very low case crumbly actual and Ilet the cigars air-out for abt week Im thing bad tobacco I may be wrong here but after all the viedeos and reading abt this stuff I point back to the leaves it self ..then again Im new to this stufff

 

[Randy]

Im out of the the tobacco now and very frustated with all I guess untill can figure-out better off buying real cigars from local shop than waste money on leaves..for the money I just spent on this "experment" I could of bought bundle good cigars from online shop..kinda makes you wonder if this is worth-it,dont get me wrong..cant wait to grow my own tobacco next year..but boy..hope I figure this shuts out before the end of next year LOL

Randy