Cigar Humidor
We live our lives everyday with a structured order. We follow rules and use charts and list to keep us on track. This includes anything from changing the oil of our car, increasing the memory of a computer, or putting together an elaborate cigar humidor to experience the pleasure of such a fine smoke.
Cigar humidors can be expensive, but are a must for many cigar enthusiasts. Even though a large amount of money can be spent on these humidors very few cigar connoisseurs learn how to properly season the humidor before first use. It is due to this lack of knowledge that many cigar humidors are ruined.
A cigar humidor should be the first piece that is purchased, even before your first cigar. With many cigar humidors being purchased as gifts, you should take note that they usually do not come with instructions on how to season them. Should this process be skipped or not done correctly, your cigars will not be fresh and may even become destroyed. If you are the unlucky owner of an unseasoned humidor, you already have found out that you would rather throw away your cigars then smoke them.
Mahogany and Spanish cedar wood is two popular woods used to line the inside of the humidor. These woods also have the ability to resist fungus growth. In order for these woods to properly retain the humidity they must be dried, which will then make them more sensitive to humidity. Improper use and preparation of these woods will lead to a poor tasting cigar. It is recommended to use only distilled water with your cigar humidor. Distilled water will prevent any deposits and chemical buildup in your humidor.
What follows are the proper steps to season your cigar humidor.
1. Replace the sponge with a new one and after soaking the sponge in the water you want to take it and thoroughly wipe the inside of the humidor. You must make sure that all areas of the inside of the cigar humidor are covered.
2. Now you want to make sure that you fill the reservoir to its proper level making sure to follow the manufactures recommendations and making sure the sponge is soaked for a second time. Now you need to drop or place the sponge in the humidification device in your humidor and let humidor sit closed up for 24 hours. With 24 hours finished, you will want to take the same sponge and wipe the interior a second time.
3. The last step to seasoning the cigar humidors is to refill the reservoir. Since all steps have been followed exactly, you will be pleased to find your cigars will stay as fresh as the day you brought them home.
Now that you can keep the humidity in, it’s important to learn why you need to control the humidity.
There is a myth that says that a low temperature will maintain a high humidity level. However, you will quickly see that it is not the case.
This myth states a humidor at 70% humidity at a temperature of 70 degrees will need an increase in humidity of one percent for every one degree of temperature change, and that’s whether the temperature goes up or down. The truth is that you need to keep the humidity at 70% regardless of the temperature change.
You see the humidity is the key to success. Your cigars will need just enough humidity to keep them fresh but not too much where they become wet and will not smoke. If you remember that it does not matter the temperature as long as you keep your humidity at 70% your cigars will turn out just fine. All cigar humidors come with a hygrometer that measures the humidity of the air inside the humidor. The hygrometer should be monitored often and kept at a 70% reading at all times.
Properly seasoning your cigar humidor will preserve your prize cigars and provide you with pleasurable smoking experience. Knowing the correct way to season your cigar humidor makes the difference of a fine smoke or throwing them in the garbage.