Maintain a Humidor
Once you buy your first box of cigars, your buy list becomes bigger. Lighting up a cigar, you ask yourself whether you should buy a humidor for your stogies. Many of us consider this purchase unnecessary as there are another ways to store them, less expensive. Therefore, this article is created to show the importance of cigars' humidors and tips for maintaining them correctly.
As the tobacco the cigars are made from is grown in tropical areas, they need a certain degree of humidity to finish their ageing. A humidor is a special storage case where cigars are kept at a room temperature to remain moist enough. The moisture in its turn contributes to the improvement of cigar's flavor, which is the most important issue.
Seasoning
The first step is to regulate the humidity level in your humidor. It should be between 62 and 75 %. Some people clean their humidors with a fresh sponge free of soap and distilled water. This is one of the possible alternatives but BE CAREFULL: this step can damage the cedar wood your humidor is made of. It is possible that it will not seal properly after such an impolite attitude.
There is another way to season your humidor, namely to fill a small dish with distilled water, then put it inside the container and close the lid. Let it sit there for several days. Once the humidity level on the hygrometer has reached 80%, displace the dish.
Next, prepare your humidification equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use tap water only in case it is stated in the directions - it contains minerals that ruin the majority of humidification mechanisms. Once the humidification item is filled, remove the excess water.
After that, let the humidor sit for another several days till its RH reaches 70%.
All the surfaces of your humidor have absorbed all the water they need. Now it's time to place your cigars in their personal oasis!
My Humi is ready, now what?
Seems that everything is perfect and goes well, but don't think you can relax now. Humidor is a very important item for cigars, so be sure to maintain it properly. If there is something wrong with your humi, it directly affects your cigars. It's like living in a house with a leaking roof.
Here are some tips to keep your humidor and cigars in a good condition:
- Check the humidification equipment no fewer than once every two weeks to assure that humidity and temperature are at the correct levels. If the humidity is below 65 %, add distilled water to your humidor. If you live in a particularly hot area, you may need to refill it more frequently as the water could evaporate.
- Do not let the sun rays get to the humidor because they elevate the temperature within the case. Also never place it on or near any electronic device, which will also cause overheating.
The optimal temperature for storing cigars is considered to be around 70 (when it's higher, tobacco bugs might appear).
- During the winter months, do not put your humidor right next to a heater. During the summer months, try to keep your humidor in an air-conditioned room, which maintains a temperature range of 68 to 72 degrees.
- Never forget to keep your humidor in a place that is dry and cool. This will help to preserve it from growth of mold.
- Store your humidor on a level ground.
- Make certain that cigars do not block the vents on the humidifier
- Better not overfill your humi with cigars. You need to leave some space for air circulation.
- Never open your humidor without reason! Make this only when you need to put or take a cigar.
- Clean the exterior of your storage container with furniture polish on a soft cloth to keep it looking new and up-to-date.
So.. Looks like you know a lot now and are ready to age many boxes of fine stogies!