Humidors, Cigar Humidors, HumidorHumidor
A container designed for storing cigars or other tobacco products at a constant
level of humidity.
There is an always
evolving debate over the exact setting for a humidor, although
most expert opinions range from 68-71% humidity and from 65-70
degrees F.
How to Take Care of Your Humidor
A humidor can serve you for years and even a lifetime as long
as you properly take care of the humidor. Below is some basic
information regarding proper care for a humidor.
Placement:
Place the humidor on a flat stable surface where it will not be
unreasonably bumped or disturbed . Because a humidor must maintain
a certain tempature it is important that you never expose your
humidor to direct sunlight and preferrably keep it in a place where
the temperature is very stable. Not doing so can damage the appearance
of the wood and also warm the content of the humidor and thus damaging
cigars and tobacco which are sensitive to temperature changes.
We feel that a humidor should never have objects placed on top ot it.
You wouldn't put a couch in front of your refridgerator and you wouldn't
put a chair in front of your cubbards. A humidor is a gentleman's precise
storage facility for one of his most prized collections.
Cleaning:
To avoid scratching, always use a cotton cloth which is clean
and free of any debree when cleaning your humidor. Failing to do
so can cause scratches and even contaminate the wood or the contents
of the humidor. Do not use any cleaners or chemicals on the inside
of the humidor because tobacco absorbs most odors and chemicals
naturally. This can tarnish and damage the quality, taste, and
smell of your cigars and tobacco.Use your own discretion on the
outside of your humidor when it comes to cleaning. We suggest avoiding
harsh cleaners or chemicals around the crevices and openings to
the inside of the humidor because your cigars and tobacco will
too easily absorb any remaining odor of those chemicals. People
do indeed use oils and polishes to shine the outside of a humidor
but we refuse to comment on this or give any suggestions on exactly
what chemical, cleaner, oil, polish, or soap to use for this process
because it is a highly and easily debated topic. It's simply too
easy for someone to argue that the odor, chemical, or substance
can make it's way into the cigars within the humidor. I personally
only polish my humidor with a clean cotton cloth inside and out
without using any chemicals, soaps, or cleaners of any kind. Although
on a rare occasion I will rub olive oil into the outer facing wood
of my humidors. You might keep in mind though that olive oil can
attract ants and other small bugs. Your own personal tolerance
for minute tainting should be taken into consideration in the cleaning
of the outside of your humidor but never use a chemical, soap,
oil, etc on the inside of your humidor; or even around the opening
of your humidor. Doing so will indeed damage your cigars.
Setting Up a Humidor
It is important to re-humidify the wood of a humidor prior to
filling it with cigars when it has been unused for almost any period
of time. Just like cigars, wood also absorbs moisture. Think about
when you tried to light a wet piece of wood on fire. Maybe it's
been surprising at those times how much moisture a piece of wood
can contain. Then maybe you've had a dry piece of wood and left
it somewhere wet only to find out it got soggy or rotten. Therefore
if you don't allow the wood of your humidor to regain it's humidity
prior to placing your cigars in the humidor, the wood will actually
steal the moisture from the cigars leaving them dry and thwarting
the purpose of having the humidor in the first place. Therefore
allow your humidor to humidify prior to filling it with cigars.
This will esentially treat the wood. A small dish or cap of distilled
water inside the humidor is a good start. Then get your calibrated
hygrometer and mount or place it inside the humidor. Load or charge
your humidification system. There are many different types of humidification
systems. Place the system charged and ready to go inside the humidor.
Prior to placing the cigars in the humidor, of course you will
remove the dish or cap of distilled water which was for treating
and humidifying the wood. Now you will want to take a look at the
humidity of your humidor. Ideally you would like to see about 70%
humidity and 70 degrees F. Allow plenty of time for your humidor
to reach the proper humidity and tempature. Make the adjustments
and modifications needed in order to aid in this process. Don't
forget to reload your humifying device or system.
Hygrometer Calibration
Basic items are needed to calibrate a hygrometer. A soda bottle
cap (plastic screw on cap), regular dinner salt, and a plastic
baggy or small tupperware container are the items needed for the
calibration.One teaspoon of salt in the soda cap, plop several
drops of water into the salt. Not enough to dissolve the salt,
although enough to have the salt in the cap be damp. Now place
the cap and the hygrometer inside the baggy or the tupperware.
Seal either one to stop the air from allowing the moisture to evaporate
outside of the container. Allow plenty of time with no sunlight
and preferrably in an area indoors with an exact tempature of 70
degrees F. Your hygrometer should after a while settle at 75% humidity.
Most hygrometers are adjustable with household tools.
Humidification Device Charging or Loading
As your hygrometer begins to display a humidity reading that is
below your desired humidity level (Usually 70% humidity) then it
is probable that you are running low on humidor solution. What
is humidor solution? It is most commonly half distilled water and
half propylene glycol. Most commercial humidor solutions are a
similar variance to this solution. The keyword here is "damp." Dampen
the humidification device. Depending on the device and your humidor,
and how much of the moisture the wood and the cigars soak up. Along
with the amount which will leak and evaporate into the air. It
is difficult to say just how long one charge or load will last.
Possibly a week, possibly several months. Propylene glycol absorbs
moisture from it's surroundings. The reason it is a key part of
the solution is because if there is too much moisture in the air
it will absorb the excess a thus preventing mold growth on your
cigars. I suggest avoiding tap water because of the chemicals and
minerals which can damage your humidification device and tamper
with the functioning of the humidification device.
Why use dividers in a humidor?
If you can have multiple humidors or a humidor with different
departments then by all means spring for it, and spend the extra
money. Most of the flavor of a cigar comes from the outer wrapper
and mixing several types of cigars is known to exchange odors and
flavors in mysterious ways. Take for instance a natural maduro
cigar which has a wrapper that was probably fermented and aged,
thus becoming dark, rich and dank. Then if you are to place that
dark maduro next to a connecticut shade wrapper cigar with it's
light and tan wrapper known for it's mild traits; you very well
might end up with a fermented and aged odor or quality making it's
way into your connecticut shade wrapper cigars through a natural
process. If you can not afford seperate humidors and you can not
afford a humidor with drawers or compartments then it is wise to
use dividers inside your humidor. Usually small pieces of wood
to simply slip between different types of cigars.
