The Fourth segment in a series of cigar education. So you found your favorite cigar and just bought a box of them. Now what? You want to make sure that those cigars are going to last (unless of course you plan on smoking them all tonight, which we here at Tobacco Haven do not recommend.) Below you will find the best ways to maintain your humidor and keep your cigars fresh and at the right level of humidity.
(Thank you again to Perdomo Cigars for allowing us to use this information off their website.)
With a Humidor
(travel humidors pictured above)
Any true cigar lover will tell you – a humidor is a must. There is no better way to maintain flavor when storing cigars. Plus, humidors can also be used to age cigars for many years, keeping the proper humidity to maintain the perfect smoking condition of the cigars.
Although “ideal” conditions for cigars is 70° temperature / 70% humidity, 62° to 65° is acceptable and will help prevent mold. Just remember that the lower the temp, the higher the humidity you need to maintain proper moisture content. Likewise, the higher the temp, the less humidity. In general, keeping your humidor in a relatively cool place is best.
In addition, a small, portable, digital hygrometer-thermometer can be very helpful to double check your humidor and ensure that you have the perfect setting for your favorite cigars.
Without a Humidor
A humidor is a great, and almost necessary, investment if you are going to turn cigar collecting into a hobby. But if you don’t have one yet, cigars can be stored for about 2 weeks without one.
Here’s how
1) Using antibacterial soap and warm water, wash a plastic storage container then let it dry.
2) Dampen a paper towel and place it in the corner of the container against the side. This creates moisture inside the container even when it’s shut.
3) Without letting the cigars touch the damp towel, place them in a row. You do not want them to get wet! A divider is a good way to make sure that this does not happen.
4) Seal tightly and store the container in a cool, dark place until you use the cigars.
Note: If you need to store them for longer than 2 weeks you can get a humidor pouch, which can store cigars for up to 90 days.
Without a Humidor
A humidor is a great, and almost necessary, investment if you are going to turn cigar collecting into a hobby. But if you don’t have one yet, cigars can be stored for about 2 weeks without one.
Here’s how
1) Using antibacterial soap and warm water, wash a plastic storage container then let it dry.
2) Dampen a paper towel and place it in the corner of the container against the side. This creates moisture inside the container even when it’s shut.
3) Without letting the cigars touch the damp towel, place them in a row. You do not want them to get wet! A divider is a good way to make sure that this does not happen.
4) Seal tightly and store the container in a cool, dark place until you use the cigars.
Note: If you need to store them for longer than 2 weeks you can get a humidor pouch, which can store cigars for up to 90 days.