A cigarette is smoked in a few minutes and put out. A cigar is a slow smoke: it can burn for half an hour to well over an hour, and you do not stub it out between puffs, you rest it. That one difference is why an ashtray designed for cigarettes fails with a cigar, and why a proper cigar ashtray looks and behaves differently. Here is what actually matters, so you can recognise a good one.
Why a cigarette ashtray does not work for a cigar
Three things go wrong. The slots are cut for a thin cigarette, so a cigar of 50 ring gauge or more, about 2 cm across, simply does not sit in them and rolls out. The bowl is shallow and small, so the long ash column of a cigar has nowhere to fall and the whole thing is knocked off the edge. And the ashtray is light, so a cigar, which is long and heavy at one end, tips it over. A cigar ashtray solves each of these on purpose.
The five things a real cigar ashtray needs
- Wide, deep rests. The notches that hold the cigar must be generous enough for a thick ring gauge, so the cigar sits securely instead of rolling.
- The ember over the bowl. The rest should hold the cigar so the burning end hangs over the bowl, not against the surface, which keeps heat off the material.
- A deep, wide bowl. Cigar ash holds together in a long column and falls in one piece when you tap it, so the bowl has to catch it and still have room for a finished stub.
- Weight. A heavy base stays planted when you put a cigar down or reach for it.
- A heat-tolerant material. A lit cigar set down mid-smoke should not scorch or deform the ashtray.
Cigar ashtray vs cigarette ashtray
| Cigarette ashtray | Cigar ashtray | |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking time | A few minutes | Half an hour to over an hour |
| Diameter it must hold | About 8 mm | 20 mm or more (50 ring gauge) |
| Rests | Narrow slots | Wide, deep rests |
| Bowl | Small, shallow | Large, deep |
| Weight | Often light | Heavy and stable |
| How it is used | The cigarette is put out | The cigar is rested, not stubbed out |
Rest it, do not stub it out
The most common mistake is treating a cigar like a cigarette. Grinding a cigar into the ashtray releases a stale smell that lingers for hours. Instead, lay it in the rest between puffs and, when you are done, simply leave it to go out on its own. Tap the ash gently only when the column has grown, rather than after every draw. A good ashtray makes all of this easy because the cigar sits where you put it.
How big should it be?
Size is about how many cigars you smoke at once and where the ashtray lives. Our handmade marble ashtrays come in two sizes, both built for cigars:
| Size | Measurements | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 16 x 16 x 4.5 cm (6.3 x 6.3 x 1.8 in) | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | One cigar, a desk or side table |
| Large | 20 x 20 x 5 cm (7.9 x 7.9 x 2.0 in) | 5 kg (11 lb) | Sharing, a lounge table or a terrace |
The standard size holds a 50 ring gauge cigar without it rolling free and suits a desk. The large format has a wider bowl and extra rests, so it works for more than one cigar at a time, ideal for a shared smoke among friends.
Why marble, and which one
Solid stone tolerates a lit cigar set down mid-smoke, and its mass keeps it still. If you want the full story of the stones and how to care for them, read the art of luxury marble ashtrays. Both sizes are available in several stones:
- Standard: Carrara, Calacatta, Nero Marquina and Port Saint Laurent, a black marble with gold veining.
- Large: Calacatta, Nero Marquina and Grigio Orobico.
- Hand carved: the Belgian Black marble ashtray with a natural split finish.
Complete the setting
A cigar ashtray works best as part of a set. Browse the full marble ashtray collection, add a table lighter (see why a triple flame suits cigars), and store the cigars in a luxury humidor. If you are choosing a present, our luxury cigar gifts guide shows how the pieces go together.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cigar ashtray and a cigarette ashtray?
A cigar ashtray has wide, deep rests for a thick cigar, a large deep bowl for the ash column, and a heavy base. A cigarette ashtray has narrow slots and a small bowl, and it is built for something that is put out after a few minutes.
How many rests does a cigar ashtray need?
One is enough for a single cigar. If you share a smoke, choose a larger ashtray with extra rests so each cigar has its own place.
Should you stub out a cigar in the ashtray?
No. Rest the cigar in the notch and let it go out on its own. Grinding it out releases a stale smell that lingers.
What size cigar ashtray should I buy?
A standard 16 cm ashtray suits one cigar at a desk or side table. A 20 cm large ashtray suits sharing and a lounge table or terrace.
Is marble good for a cigar ashtray?
Yes. Solid marble tolerates a lit cigar set down mid-smoke, and its weight keeps the ashtray planted. Care is simple: a soft, barely damp cloth and no acidic products.
Can I use a cigar ashtray for cigarettes?
You can, but it is built for cigars, with wide rests and a deep bowl. A cigarette sits fine in the bowl, though the rests are meant for something much thicker.
