How to Set Up a Cigar Humidor
Keeping your cigars in a humidor is important so that they are surrounded by the right amount of moisture. Cigars that are stored improperly could dry out and end up cracked or, even worse, they could get too damp and become moldy or mildewed. A cigar humidor is pretty easy to set up once you know how to do it. The hardest part is that first time, making sure the environment for your cigars is perfect. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Humidor Cotton cloth Distilled water Shot glass or plastic cup Dish towel Cigars Small bowl Propylene glycol
Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Pour two cups of distilled water into your bowl. Dip the cotton cloth in the water and wring it out thoroughly. Then wipe the inside of the humidor to remove the dust, wood shavings or other debris.
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2
Fill a shot glass or plastic cup with more distilled water. Put the glass or cup inside the humidor and shut the lid tightly. Check the water after 12 hours to see how much has evaporated. Refill the glass or cup as needed and let it sit for one full day.
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3
Take the humidifiers out of the humidor (usually they are round, black, plastic discs) and place them in a bowl of lukewarm distilled water for about 15 minutes so they get fully saturated. Then take them out of the water and dry them with a dish towel. Don't get them bone dry. Just make sure they won't drip on the humidor's wood surface when you put them in their holders.
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4
Remove the shot glass or cup from the humidor and put the humidifiers back in place. Let the humidor sit for about 30 minutes and then check the hygrometer (which is the gauge that sits in the lid). It should read between 68% and 72% humidity, which is the perfect environment to maintain your cigars. If the humidity is too high, empty the humidifiers and add a half teaspoon of propylene glycol to the distilled water before refilling. If the humidity is too low, resoak the humidifiers and check again.
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5
Place your cigars in the humidor and close the lid when you're finished. Keep an eye on the hygrometer every day for the next week to make sure the humidity level remains stable. Try to keep the humidor full, as this will help keep it at a constant level. The more empty it is, the dryer it will get.
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Tips & Warnings
Some people like their cigars a little damper or a little dryer than the recommended humidity. Once you start using your humidor regularly, you will know how you like your smokes. It's totally fine to adjust the humidor to your personal tastes.
