Here are some useful tips to help you choose the right humidor
Keeping your cigars in a humidor goes beyond protecting them against harsh weather, it makes them taste better. Just like wine, Cigars achieve optimum flavors with time. Many cigar connoisseurs suggest storing them for months and even up to five years.
However, the preservation of cigars requires the right temperature and humidity. Improper storage can ruin the flavor, taste, and quality of your cigar. You need a good humidor that keeps your cigars far from damage and gives them fine aging. Here are some useful tips to help you choose the right humidor:
Size matters
Size is the first thing to consider when buying a humidor. The simple rule is to buy a humidor twice the size of the number of cigars you're planning to store. This is particularly important because, without proper airflow, you can ruin your cigars. To avoid overpopulating your humidor, buy a 40 count humidor if you presently own 20. The length of the cigars is also vital in choosing the size.
Think about portability
When it boils down to portability, it all depends on your lifestyle. If you’re always on the road, choose a humidor you can carry along easily. The downside is that most portable humidors cannot carry more than a few dozen cigars. If you spend most of your time at home, you can get the walk-in version that can collect thousands of cigars.
Pay attention to the seal
Getting a humidor with a bad seal ruins the essence of a cigar box. It makes it easy for air to seep in and make your cigars stiff and dry. You need to ensure the humidor seal is tight to keep it humidified and insulated.
To avoid buying a badly sealed humidor, shop with trusted and authorized sellers. You can also check product reviews before you decide to purchase.
Consider the compartment
Mixing up different cigars can alter their flavors and give you a negative smoking experience. if you love variety and plan to store different cigars, purchase a humidor that has compartments or drawers. This way you can keep various cigars and enjoy them in their original flavors.
Opt for the best wood
The wood a humidor is made of has a huge impact on its ability to retain temperature and humidity. Most humidors are made from cherry, oak, mahogany, and Spanish cedar are also known as Cedrela Odorata. Despite being more expensive, the Spanish Cedar provides the perfect insulation and protects your cigars from insects and worms.
Pick a humidor that has a thermometer and a hygrometer
A thermometer measures temperature while the hygrometer reads the humidity within your humidor. Purchasing humidors with these in-built features can be quite costly but they are always worth the investment. The accessories serve as indicators that help you track the level of humidity and temperature.
Installation space is important
Where you intend to place your humidor is also important. When it comes to the installation of humidors you have to consider the available space and the right storage area.
Depending on the space in the room, you can choose a coffee table humidor or desk humidor cabinet. If you are going for an electrical humidor, you need to place it close to the socket.
Mind your budget
To get value for your money, it is important to get familiar with the price range and know how much you're willing to spend.
There's a humidor for every budget but it's vital to know that quality humidors are quite expensive. Carry out extensive research for a quality humidor that fits your needs. Spend a little extra to avoid sacrificing quality for affordability.
How to care for your cigar humidor
Good maintenance will make your humidor work better and last longer. Even the best humidor will under-function and damage quickly if handled carelessly.
Here are some of the few ways you can care for your humidor
Season your humidor properly before use
Whether you purchase a new humidor or you’re about to use an old one you haven’t touched for a long time, it is necessary to season it before use. The Spanish cedar for instance absorbs and releases moisture slowly which makes it ideal for maintaining humidity. Without proper seasoning, the Spanish cedar will naturally suck up oil from your cigars making them dry. Regardless of each humidor manufacturer’s manual, ensure the humidity is between 65 % to 75 % before use.
Items needed for seasoning
- Distilled water (Avoid tap water)
- Clean, unscented sponge or cloth.
Maintain the humidity levels
After seasoning, you have to keep doing the right thing to make sure your humidor stays humid.
- It begins by keeping your humidor in a cool dark place.
- Refill your humidors at regular intervals. No matter the type of humidifier you use, ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on refilling.
- Check your hygrometer every 2 weeks and make adequate adjustments
Get rid of tobacco Beetles
These insects can damage your entire stooge by consuming tobacco and laying eggs. To get rid of the Beetles :
- Ensure your humidor stays below 70% temperature. Beetle eggs need a hot temperature to hatch ;
- Create a pinhole in your cigar to check for beetles ;
- If found, take all cigars out of the humidor ;
- Put each stogie in a ziplock bag ;
- Make sure the bags are well-sealed and put them in the freezer for 2 to 3 days ;
- Clean the humidor thoroughly ;
- Transfer the Ziploc bags to the fridge ;
- After 24hours, return the cigars to your humidor.
With these tips at the back of your mind, you’ll get the best bang for your buck. Following the maintenance guidelines will also ensure your humidor gives you the maximum result and lasts longer. Finally, you can also visit an online store for the best cigar case for you.
