There’s nothing worse than lighting up a good cigar—only to watch it burn unevenly, tunnel down one side, or fizzle out completely. If you’ve ever asked yourself how to fix an improperly lit cigar, you’re not alone. It happens to beginners and seasoned smokers alike. The good news? Most of these problems are fixable mid-smoke if you know what you’re doing.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common burn issues (like canoeing and tunneling), show you how to correct them on the fly, and explain what you can do to prevent the same problems next time around.
What Does an Improperly Lit Cigar Look Like?
Not every uneven burn needs a fix — but some do. Here’s how to know when your cigar is burning improperly and not just naturally evolving.
Common Signs Your Cigar Was Lit Wrong
- 🔥 One side is burning faster than the other (canoeing)
- 🚬 The outside burns but the filler inside stays intact (tunneling)
- 💤 Your cigar keeps going out, even with steady puffing
- 🧱 The ash is flaky, uneven, or split-looking
If your cigar starts doing any of these, chances are the initial light didn’t catch evenly — or your storage conditions weren’t ideal. Either way, it’s better to address the issue early before it ruins the draw or kills the flavour.
Why Do Improperly Lit Cigars Burn Unevenly?
Even with premium cigars, burn issues can happen. It usually comes down to one of these:
- Improper lighting — rushed, uneven torching leads to hot spots
- Overly humid cigars — excess moisture can cause tunneling or frequent relights
- Tight or loose rolling — inconsistent draw can affect combustion
- Smoking pace — puffing too fast or too slow throws off burn rate
- Wind or outdoor conditions — breeze can push one side to burn faster
Fixing the problem is one thing. But understanding why it happened helps prevent it the next time.
And if you’re struggling with humidity control, check out our assortment of Boveda packs.
How to Fix a Canoeing Cigar Mid-Smoke (Improper Burn Correction)
Canoeing is when one side of your cigar burns faster than the other, creating a lopsided, elongated burn.
The Fix:
- Touch it up with a lighter
Use a single-jet or soft flame to gently toast the slower-burning side until the burn line evens out. - Purge the cigar (if needed)
If the flavour has turned bitter due to uneven burning, blow gently through the cigar to push out stale smoke. - Rotate while smoking
Keep the fast-burning side facing down. Heat rises, and gravity helps slow that side down.
Don’t panic. Canoeing happens. A quick touch-up and steady rotation usually solve the issue.
Need one? Browse our torch lighter collection for quick, even burn corrections.
How to Fix a Tunneling Cigar (Improperly Lit Core)
Tunneling is when the filler burns down the middle, but the wrapper stays intact — leaving a hollow shell of tobacco.
The Fix:
- Tap off the ash
Expose the burn so you can see the tunneling clearly. - Touch up the wrapper
Carefully toast just the outer ring with your lighter to get the wrapper caught up with the filler. - Slow your puff rate
Puffing too fast creates a hot core and a cold wrapper. Slow it down to let the wrapper catch up.
Tunneling is trickier than canoeing, but still salvageable with patience and the right heat control.
How to Relight an Improperly Lit Cigar the Right Way
If your cigar keeps going out, resist the urge to relight it blindly.
Relight Tips:
- Purge before relighting
Blow out gently through the cigar to remove built-up smoke - Clean the edge
Knock off any excess ash or loose char to expose a clean surface - Toast first, puff second
Re-toast the foot until it glows slightly before taking draws
This will help preserve flavour and prevent harsh relight bitterness.
a clean cut helps with even airflow. Check out our premium cutters.
How to Prevent an Improperly Lit Cigar in the Future
Uneven burns usually start with small mistakes early on, but a few easy habits can prevent most of them. Make sure you’re toasting the entire foot of the cigar evenly before you puff, use reliable gear, and store your cigars at proper humidity levels (around 65–70% RH). Take smooth, steady draws—rushing it only causes problems—and rotate your cigar as you smoke, especially outdoors where wind and gravity can affect the burn.
Keep your cigar moving, especially if you’re outside. Let gravity do some of the work.
Need a spot to rest your stick between puffs? Check out our cigar ashtrays.
Final Draw
Every smoker runs into burn problems at some point. But knowing how to fix an improperly lit cigar can save your smoke session and keep the experience enjoyable. With the right technique and a little patience, most issues like canoeing, tunneling, or relighting can be corrected on the fly.
