How to Maintain a Basic Humidor

Nothing says comfort and prosperity like a good cigar and if you are going to the expense of buying good cigars you will need a humidor in which to store your investment. A humidor for cigars is a specially designed case that will keep the relative humidity inside between 68 to 72 percent, the ideal humidity for cigars to "live." If you have just gotten your humidor, it is simple to set up and maintain so that your cigars always taste fresh and delicious.

Things You'll Need

• Soft sponge that is new and has no fragrance
• Distilled water
• Zip-type bag
• Microfiber cloths

Instructions

1. Wet the sponge with the distilled water. Wash down every surface of the humidor from the wood outside to the trays and dividers. Dry with the microfiber cloths.

2. Soak the sponge in clean distilled water and put it in a zip-type bag, leaving the bag open. You do not want the water to remain next to the wood and the baggy provides a barrier. Close the lid for about 12 hours.

3. Follow the instructions for your specific humidor for filling the humidification areas. Use distilled water to avoid build up of mineral deposits.

4. Situate your humidor on a flat surface away from heating or cooling vents. Keep it away from windows, fans and direct sunlight, all of which can reduce humidity.

5. Watch the level of water in the humidification device. There should be a line showing where to fill the device. It will also have a low-level line. The amount of water should always be between those two lines.

6. Add an agent for humidors containing propylene glycol. This will help keep the humidity constant and acts as an antibacterial to the humidor.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the temperature and humidity in the humidor daily.

• Do not put cigars in a new humidor until it is seasoned and has reached the optimum humidity.

References

• Blue Note Cigars: Using a Humidor and How to Maintain your Cigars