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WHAT IS A HUMIDOR
If you have a new humidor, do not put cigars inside without seasoning it. First and foremost, you must season a new humidor before storing your cigars. This is also true for an old humidor that hasn’t been used in a while. Many people make the mistake of putting their favorite cigars straight into their newly purchased humidor. The humidor does not have the right humidity needed when it is first purchased. If you store them immediately the moisture in your precious cigars will be absorbed by the humidor and that would dry them out and ruin their taste. To avoid this from happening, you need to re-humidify the wood and set it to the ideal humidity before transferring the cigars HOW TO SEASON A HUMIDOR Take a new sponge — make sure it is unscented and free of soap — and wet it with a liberal dose of distilled water. Wipe down all the exposed wood, including any trays and dividers, and the interior lid. Avoid using a paper towel or a fraying cloth; these will literally leave a paper trail on the wood. After you’ve wiped down the wood, squirt the sponge with more distilled water, then place it inside the humidor on a plastic bag — to avoid direct contact with the wood — and close the lid. Next, prepare your humidification device according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Unless the manufacturer specifically states that you can use tap water, use only distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that will destroy most humidification systems by leaving deposits that will clog the humidor element. Also, tap water contains organics and is prone to developing mold. Distilled water is the only readily available water that is free of both mineral and organic impurities. Try not to place your humidor near vents, fans, or windows. Factors such as air circulation (from use of air conditioners, heaters, open windows) and exposure to direct sunlight can lower humidity levels.
There’s even a species of beetle, called a tobacco beetle, which can quickly bore holes through the contents of humidors. This will sometimes occur when the humidor maintains a temperature above 75 degrees for more than 24 hours. If your humidor becomes afflicted with these insects, freeze the contaminated cigars for 48 hours, then transfer them to the refrigerator for an additional 24 hours before returning them to your humidor. The beetles and their larvae will not survive. Be sure to wipe down your humidor with a damp cloth (using only distilled water) before returning the cigars. MAINTAINING YOUR HUMIDOR Humidifiers maintain the desired relative humidity within your humidor. When humidity levels inside your humidor begin to fall, you will probably have to add distilled water and/or humidifying solution to your humidification device. If the device is kept full, but you still have problems with low humidity, then you should add a supplemental humidification device to your humidor. There are two primary types of humidifiers: Active and Passive. Active humidifiers are electrically powered and typically utilize a built-in electronic sensor to determine whether they should add moisture to the air. Passive humidifiers do not rely on any power whatsoever and utilize basic vapor conduction to regulate relative humidity.
Passive humidifiers control the relative humidity within your humidor by hydroscopic interaction with the air’s moisture content. Basically, it expels moisture from the humidifier when the relative humidity falls below 70%, and absorbs water when the ambient relative humidity is above 70% RH. It accomplishes this task via the chemical propylene glycol (PG), which acts as a hydroscopic control agent. In addition to its regulatory properties, PG also serves as an anti-bacterial agent that will help prevent molding. |
A humidor is a storage container designed to allow controlled air flow and equipped with a device that maintains the relative humidity (RH) at its optimal level. Cigars should be stored at room temperature (about 70 degrees) with a RH level of 68 to 72 percent.
No matter what a thermometer or hygrometer says, the true measure of your humidor’s performance will be the condition of the cigars inside. If the cigars are exuding a little oil, the conditions are perfect. If they seem too dry, you add more water. If they turn moldy, you have to throw out the cigars, no matter what the hygrometer says. 
Humidors with the passive humidifier will fit most people’s needs. For the average cigar smoker, there is no real need to spend more for an active humidifier. Passive humidifiers are traditionally constructed of sponge, clay, or oasis florist foam encased in a perforated container. The foam is moistened with distilled water and then placed within the humidor.
