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Setting Up a Humidor for Cigars

When you get a new humidor for your cigars, you may be a bit nervous about setting it up. If you set up a humidor without re-humidifying the inside wood, it will ruin the cigars. The wood used is dried kiln-dried Spanish cedar, and it needs to reach the equilibrium at 60 to 65% of humidity.

If not, it will result in sucking the moisture out of the cigars. If you want to prevent this issue, you must re-humidify your humidor before you use it with your cigars.

How to Set Up a Humidor for Cigars

Below are some easy steps to help you set up your humidor for cigars.

1. Place humidification solution or distilled water in the bottom of the humidor.
2. Charge the humidifier and place it in the humidor.
3. Place the calibrated hygrometer in the humidor.
4. Now close its lid.
5. Check the humidity level daily with the help of a hygrometer. Check when it reaches 65%.
6. Now the wood is stabilized correctly.

Note: Never wipe the interior of the humidor with water. Water will ruin the wood.

The Hygrometer

All cigar humidors are supplied and calibrated with a hygrometer. Most cigar users believe that if a humidor does not keep the humidity level of 65%, it is broken. This is not true. Your cigar has a safe range anywhere from 60 to 75%. In fact, the ideal range for smoking is nearest to 80%, and storage should be prepared at 65%.

This can be done if you have two different humidors for your cigars. If your humidor ranges in the above-mention zones, then your cigars safe. Some folks like very moist cigars, whereas others prefer them slightly drier. It depends on your preferences, and you can keep your cigar at your chosen humidity level.

The placement of a hygrometer is not a big issue, but it is highly advisable to allow a good flow of air around your hygrometer to enable it to take an accurate reading. The best solution for doing this is mounting it on the lid or placing it in the humidor.

The Humidifier

The humidifier maintains the humidity level in the humidor. Follow the below instructions to charge your humidifier properly.

1. First, remove the humidifier from the humidor.
2. Use a humidification solution (propylene glycol and distilled water) or distilled water. Pour it into your humidifier through its gate.
3. Never overfill the humidifier. Just wet it.
4. Now wipe the excess liquid with a cloth.
5. Now re-attach it to the humidor.

If you find your cigars dry, add more humidor solution or distilled water as needed. The level of humidity varies by time of year and location. You will have to do some experiments to maintain a proper combination that suits your situation.

Caring for Cigars

Cigars need proper care, and you have to make sure that you store your cigars properly. Always top up your humidifier with the humidification solution as required. The humidification solution is a mixture of polyglycol, distilled water, and a mold inhibitor. For storage, keep the humidity level at 65% (+/- 2%).

It is advisable to place your humidor in a place where the temperature never exceeds 70°F; the ideal temperature range is between 65°F to 72°F. The relative humidity level is ideally between 60% and 65%. You can use the humidor as soon as you fill the humidifier with water.

To test the condition of the cigar, press it with your thumb below the cigar band. If it is in optimal condition, the cigar will feel firm but not hard. If the cigar feels hard, then your cigar needs to be humidified. Should the cigar be spongy and soft, it is over humidified.

Caring for a Humidor

Your humidor needs proper attention and care, which will allow it to work for years. To help you take care of your humidor and preserve your investment, below are some basic care tips:

1. Always store your humidor in a safe and secure place to avoid knocking it over.
2. Never store a humidor in direct sunlight. This will result in the wood fading and overheating inside the humidor.
3. Don’t place any object on top of your humidor.
4. Use soft cloths for cleaning your humidor.
5. You can use beeswax or furniture polish to polish the outside of your humidor.
6. Do not wipe your humidor inside with any liquid or water. If you do, it will ruin the wood.
7. Regular dusting will keep it looking new and increase its lifespan.

Conclusion

Once you’ve set up your humidor, it will protect and humidify your cigars. Keep refilling the humidor regularly to maintain the humidity level. Remember to keep the humidor lid sealed. The humidity level inside the humidor will protect the wood from drying and preserve your cigars for a long time.