A Guide to Cigar Humidors

Whether you are an avid cigar smoker, or just enjoy the occasional stogie, a cigar humidor is an essential tool for any collection. Simply defined, a humidor is a holding device which maintains a constant temperature and most importantly, humidity. The importance of a steady temperature is found with the tobacco leaves. During the growing process, cigar beetles (Lasioderma serricorne) infest the plants and lays eggs. These eggs usually lie dormant unless a temperature of 80 degrees or higher are obtained. Ideally, you should keep a temperature of 65 - 70 degrees at all times in your humidor. You can tell if your cigars are infected by looking at the wrapper. If you note tiny little "drill holes" you have a cigar beetle infestation. The easiest method to treat this condition is to simply freeze your cigars for about three days then place them in the refrigerator for another two days. Be sure to place all of your cigars in the freezer to destroy all the cigar beetles that may have hatched.

Humidity is the most important factor for proper cigar storage. A cigar kept in the right, constant humidity can be held indefinitely. There are rumors of Cuban cigars from the pre-Castro era which are in perfect condition. Imagine having such a historic and valuable antique in your collection! To keep the right humidity, it is important to select the right humidor. Look for one that is made of Spanish cedar as this wood has high porosity and can hold moisture well. In addition, note the seal of the humidor. A good humidor should have a tight, but not impenetrable seal. Also, look at the humidor design. After all, a pretty humidor can become the center piece of any room, so make sure it's one you like.

Once you have selected a humidor, it is important to prime the wood. There are various methods for doing this however I believe that a damp clean cloth does the best trick. Take a clean cloth and slightly wet it with distilled water. Distilled water is important for all steps of humidor care because it contains no minerals which could alter the taste of your cigars. Use your slightly damp cloth and simply wipe down the interior to remove any dust or wood particles.

The next step is to calibrate your hygrometer. A hygrometer is an instrument used to measure humidity. It can be digital or analog all based on your choice. Most digital hygrometers do not need calibration. To calibrate an analog hygrometer, take a capful of salt and add just enough distilled water to wet the salt. You should have a consistency of wet sand, do not dissolve the salt. Next, take a Ziploc bag and place both the hygrometer and salt mixture inside. Seal the bag tight and wait about 24 hours. The salt / water mix should create an environment of 75% humidity. If your hygrometer is off, there are two options. First, you can attempt to calibrate the hygrometer by turning the dial on the back to the desired humidity setting. Second, you can note the amount of humidity that you are off and factor it in to your humidor setting.

Once the hygrometer is calibrated, it's time to charge your humidification device. Take a solution of propylene glycol and distilled water (usually called 50 / 50) and soak the sponge device inside the humidification device. Make sure you shake the device a few times to ensure that you don't drip on your cigars. Place the humidification device as well as a small dish of distilled water in the humidor and close the lid. Again, wait about 24 hours or until your hygrometer reads 70% humidity. Ideally, you should keep your cigars anywhere between 65% to 70% humidity, it's all based off your own preference. Some people believe that you should keep your cigars at 65% humidity to age them, and then move the cigars to 70% humidity prior to smoking. In general however, you cannot go wrong with a constant 70% humidity.

Now it's time to place your sticks in the box! Remember though that fresh cigars will absorb some of the humidity and you will notice quite a drop after your sticks are initially placed. To increase the humidity of your humidor, simply take a dish of distilled water and place it in the box, or go to your nearest florist and ask for a flower brick. Basically the flower brick is a green super sponge that can hold water for an extended period of time. Cut a piece out, soak it in distilled water for an hour or so then put it in your humidor until you reach the desired humidity. To reduce humidity, simply open the lid for a while or add more cigars.

Always remember a constant temperature of 70 degrees and 70% humidity will provide the perfect environment for your smokes. Monitor the progress of your humidor on a weekly basis and you can guarantee the life of your cigars.