How to Prime a Humidor
A device for storing cigars, a humidor keeps your prized smokes at a constant temperature and humidity level. If your cigars are exposed to too much humidity, mold will grow on both the inside and outside of your cigars. If the humidity level is too low, your cigars will dry out. Priming your humidor is a process that regulates the level of humidity inside of the device and keeps the cigars fresh. You need to prime your humidor yearly to keep the device working properly. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic sheeting
- Distilled water
- Sponge
- Scoop or cup
- Bucket
- Dinner plate
Instructions
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Priming
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1
Remove any cigars from your humidor. Place the cigars in a cool, dry chest or dresser drawer.
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2
Remove any trays and inserts, if present, from the humidor. Place the trays and inserts onto a piece of plastic sheeting.
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3
Pour 1/2 gallon of distilled water into the bottom of the humidor.
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4
Dip a clean sponge into the water. Do not wring out excess water from the sponge.
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5
Wipe the inside of your humidor with the wet sponge. Completely soak the humidor's walls, upper ceiling and doors. The entire humidor should be wet.
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6
Wipe any trays and inserts, if present, with the wet sponge.
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7
Dip out any remaining water from the bottom of your humidor with a scoop or a cup. Place the excess water in a bucket.
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8
Absorb water from the humidor with a sponge. Wring out the sponge in the bucket. Repeat steps 7 and 8 until no standing water is present in the humidor.
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9
Dry the humidor by leaving the doors open.
Follow Up
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10
Wet a sponge with 1 tablespoon of distilled water. The sponge should be wet, but not dripping.
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11
Place the wet sponge on a dinner plate.
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12
Place the plate in your dry humidor. Do not place the plate in a still damp humidor--this will cause mold/mildew to form. Your humidor must be dry before completing this step.
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13
Close the humidor's doors. Let the plate sit in the humidor for 12 hours.
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14
Remove the plate. Reinsert any trays and inserts.
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15
Remove and fill your humidor's humidification device with distilled water to the "Water Line." Place the humidification device in the humidor.
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16
Place your cigars in your humidor after the inside walls of the device are completely dry.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If your humidor's hygrometer (measures humidity levels) rises above 70 percent, open your humidor's doors for five minutes to regulate the humidity level inside of the device.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cigar and cigarette isolated over white image by PaulPaladin from Fotolia.com
