How to Moisten Cigars
Cigars improperly stored often become brittle and hard as moisture escapes. Cigars kept at the proper temperature and relative humidity thrive, with the cigars featuring a slight oily sheen that turns to a fine white power called plume or bloom. Presence of the powder shows that the cigar is aging nicely and perhaps increasing in flavor. A lack of moisture or oils can ruin a cigar. The cigar becomes difficult to light, burns unevenly or gives off a harsh taste.
Instructions
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Purchase or make a humidor. Humidors are devices used to properly store cigars. Home humidors are usually small wooden boxes or plastic containers. Wooden humidors are available at cigar stores starting at around $30 as of 2011. Plastic food storage containers with snap-on lids are also used as humidors.
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Use a humidification device, available from cigar stores, to create 70 percent relative humidity and a 70-degree temperature inside the humidor. Wooden humidors sold in cigar stores often include humidification devices and a humidity/temperature gauge. The devices are available for purchase separately for those using plastic food containers as humidors.
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Place the dry cigars in a plastic sandwich bag or food storage bag. Seal the bag but do not immediately place it in the humidor. Cigar Aficionado magazine reports that dry cigars can develop cracks if immediately placed in a completely humidified environment. Placing the cigars in a plastic bag allows the tobacco to stabilize by providing partial humidity.
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Check the gauge in the humidor to confirm that the temperature is at 70 percent and the relative humidity is 70 percent. It's not a big deal if the settings are slightly higher or lower.
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Place the cigars in the humidor once the settings are correct and leave them for several weeks. Restoring the cigars requires patience. After several weeks start testing the cigars on occasion by gently pressing them with your fingers. The cigars will feel less brittle and more springy as moisture returns. Compare the feel of the cigars to other properly stored cigars to determine when the restoration is complete.
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Tips & Warnings
Some dried-out cigars cannot be restored. Throw the cigars away if they remain brittle after several months in the humidor.
