Canoeing

Canoeing is a cigar burn issue where one side of the wrapper burns faster than the other, creating a long, uneven burn that resembles the hull of a canoe. It disrupts the balance of flavors, wastes tobacco, and can ruin the overall smoking experience if not corrected promptly.

While canoeing can result from environmental factors, it’s often preventable with proper lighting, storage, and technique.

What Causes Canoeing?

1. Uneven Lighting

If the cigar isn’t properly toasted across the entire foot, the burn may begin unevenly and worsen over time.
Fix: Always toast the foot evenly before taking your first puff.

2. Wind or Drafts

Smoking outdoors or near airflow can push heat to one side, causing it to burn faster.
Fix: Smoke in calm environments or shield the cigar while puffing.

3. Over-Humidification

If one side of the cigar is more moist than the other—often from poor humidor airflow—it will burn slower than the drier side.
Fix: Rotate cigars in the humidor regularly and ensure proper RH control.

4. Inconsistent Puffing

Long pauses between puffs can cause one side to cool more than the other.
Fix: Puff consistently (every 30–60 seconds) to maintain even combustion.

5. Construction Flaws

Rare, but a poorly rolled cigar with uneven tobacco distribution can cause burn problems.
Fix: Stick to trusted brands known for quality control.

“A canoeing cigar is like a crooked guitar string—it throws everything out of tune.”
— Cigar Aficionado – Fixing Burn Issues

How to Fix Canoeing

1. Touch up the slower-burning side with a torch lighter
   • Apply flame directly to the wrapper to catch it up
2. Purge the cigar by gently blowing out through it—this clears stale smoke
3. Rotate the cigar while puffing so the unburned side faces downward (heat rises)
4. If necessary, trim the canoeed edge and relight evenly
5. Avoid relighting too aggressively, which can worsen combustion issues

Canoeing vs. Tunneling

Burn Issue	Description	Primary Cause
Canoeing	One side of the wrapper burns faster	Uneven light, wind, over-humidification
Tunneling	Filler burns faster than wrapper (inside-out)	Moisture imbalance, poor lighting

How to Prevent Canoeing

• Light evenly across the entire foot using a torch lighter
• Avoid smoking in wind or near fans/vents
• Dry box cigars before smoking if they feel soft or spongy
• Maintain RH between 65–69%, and ensure humidor airflow is balanced
• Rotate cigars in the humidor periodically
• Avoid puffing too fast or too slow—find a steady rhythm

Citation: Halfwheel – Burn Corrections 101

Related Glossary Entries

• Tunneling
• Over-Humidification
• Proper Humidity
• Draw (Cigar Draw)
• Dry Boxing

Summary

Canoeing can throw off the flavor and balance of your cigar, but it’s easily avoided with attention to lighting, storage, and smoking pace. Recognizing the warning signs early—and knowing how to correct them—ensures your cigar burns evenly and performs as the blender intended.