Humidor Guide: How to Store Your Cigars (Beginner-Friendly, Aficionado-Approved)
Quick answer: Keep cigars around 65–70% relative humidity (RH) and 18–21 °C. Use two-way humidity packs or an electronic/boxed humidifier for a mess-free setup. Check with a calibrated digital hygrometer, and avoid temperature spikes (aim to stay below 24 °C).
Why humidors matter
A humidor creates a stable mini-climate so your cigars age gracefully, burn evenly, and taste as intended. Without one, UK winters (central heating) can dry cigars out and summers can over-humidify them. A humidor keeps the balance so wrappers don’t crack, flavours stay round and creamy, and the draw remains comfortable.
Ideal temp & humidity
- Relative humidity (RH): 65–70% is the sweet spot for most cigars.
- Temperature: 18–21 °C is ideal. Try to keep below 24 °C to discourage tobacco beetles.
- UK tip: Radiators and sunny windowsills cause swings. Place your humidor in a cool, shaded, steady spot.
How RH affects the smoke:
- Lower RH (62–65%) – slightly firmer feel, brighter flavours, often preferred for many Cubans or delicate wrappers.
- Mid RH (65–69%) – balanced burn and flavour for most New World cigars.
- Higher RH (69–72%) – suits thick ring gauges or very dry rooms, but can mute flavour or tighten draw if too high.
Humidification options (mess-free & sponge-based)
1) Two-way humidity packs (mess-free, “boxed” options available)
- What: Sealed packs that add or remove moisture to maintain a set RH (e.g., 62%, 65%, 69%, 72%).
- Why we like them: No spills, no mixing liquids, very consistent. Available as individual packs, boxed bricks, or holders for larger humidors/cabinets.
- How many: Rule of thumb: one 60 g pack per ~25 cigars (or follow the maker’s guide).
- When to replace: When they feel stiff/crispy or RH won’t hold.
2) Electronic/boxed humidifiers (cabinet & large desktop)
- What: Small electronic units or boxed cartridges that circulate air and release moisture.
- Pros: Great for larger volumes, steady humidity, often low-maintenance; many are spill-free.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost; needs power (for electronic) and occasional refill (distilled water or cartridges).
3) Polymer beads / silica media (rechargeable)
- What: Beads that absorb and release moisture to target ~65–70% when charged correctly.
- Pros: Reusable, visible when dry vs charged.
- Cons: Needs distilled water; over-watering can overshoot RH.
4) Gels / crystals
- What: Humidity gels that swell with distilled water and release moisture slowly.
- Pros: Cheap, simple.
- Cons: Mostly one-way (add moisture), so watch for over-humidification in damp weather.
5) Sponge-based (foam blocks/pucks)
- What: Purpose-made humidor foam or pucks dampened with distilled water or 50/50 propylene glycol (PG) solution.
- Pros: Inexpensive, widely available.
- Cons: Mess risk if overfilled; needs regular checks. Avoid non-humidor florist foam as it can break down.
- Water to use: Distilled or deionised only (tap water causes mould/mineral build-up).
Mess-free picks: Two-way packs and boxed/electronic units are the cleanest, simplest options.
Choosing a humidor (and good alternatives)
Desktop humidors
Classic wooden boxes lined with Spanish cedar. Great for daily rotation and short- to mid-term ageing.
Cabinet humidors
For larger collections and long-term ageing. Pair with electronic or boxed humidifiers and a quality hygrometer.
Travel cases
Rigid, gasket-sealed. Add a small two-way pack and you’re set for weekends and flights.
“Tupperdor” or “Coolidor”
Airtight food-safe plastic box or cooler with cedar sheets and two-way packs. Budget-friendly and very stable.
Wine fridge note
Thermoelectric wine coolers can help with temperature, but they tend to dry the air—you must add humidity (packs or a compatible humidifier) and monitor closely.
Seasoning a new wooden humidor
1) Calibrate your hygrometer
Use a salt test or a one-step calibration kit. (Salt test: a small cup of damp salt in a sealed bag with your hygrometer should read ~75% after 24 h; adjust mentally or on the device if possible.)
2) Choose a seasoning method
- Passive (traditional): Place a small bowl or clean sponge with distilled water inside (don’t drip on wood). Close for 24–72 h until the interior sits around 65–70% RH steadily.
- Seasoning packs (very easy): Use high-RH seasoning packs (often ~84%) for the time recommended by the maker (commonly 10–14 days). Remove them once the wood is conditioned.
Good practice
Avoid soaking the cedar or aggressively wiping it; swelling and warping can harm the seal. Only add cigars when RH is stable with your regular humidification in place.
Setting up & arranging your cigars
- Cellophane on or off? Either is fine. On protects wrappers and slows moisture exchange; off can marry aromas faster. Many keep them on for handling and consistency.
- Tubed cigars: Loosen or crack the cap slightly to let humidity in.
- Airflow: Don’t cram the box; leave gaps for even humidity.
- Cedar sheets/dividers: Great for aroma and gentle moisture buffering; also helps separate stronger blends.
- Avoid scent contamination: Keep cigars away from scented items (e.g., candles, whisky-soaked sponges, etc.).
- Boxes in the humidor: Fine to store sealed boxes inside; they act as buffers. Open boxes will acclimatise quicker.
Day-to-day maintenance
- Check weekly: Glance at the digital hygrometer and tap the boxes—no need to fuss daily.
- Top up/replace: Recharge beads/gels with distilled water; replace two-way packs when they stiffen.
- Rotate occasionally: Every month or two, gently rotate or move cigars between shelves for even ageing.
- Logbook (optional): Note RH/temp and how cigars taste over time—handy for learning your preferences.
Troubleshooting: too dry, too wet, mould vs bloom
Too dry (RH < 62%)
Signs: Wrappers crack, fast burn, sharp flavour.
Fix: Add or upsize humidification (two-way packs are easiest), reduce opening frequency, consider slightly higher-% packs until stable.
Too wet (RH > 72%)
Signs: Tight draw, wavy burn, muted flavour, possible mould risk.
Fix: Remove excess humidification, use lower-% two-way packs, air out the humidor briefly once or twice a day until RH returns to target.
Bloom (plume) vs mould
Bloom/plume: Fine, powdery, crystalline white that brushes off easily—natural oils crystallising.
Mould: Fuzzy or web-like; can be green/blue/grey; often patchy and moist.
What to do: If you suspect mould, isolate affected cigars immediately. Light surface spots may be wiped from wood with a lightly dampened cloth (distilled water) or a touch of 70% isopropyl on the wood only, then dry thoroughly. If mould is on the cigar itself (especially the foot), it’s safest not to smoke it. Check your water source and reduce RH.
Beetles (preventive note)
Keep temps below 24 °C. If you ever find pinholes, isolate stock. Some aficionados use a controlled freeze-thaw protocol to rescue cigars, but it must be done carefully to avoid wrapper damage.
Travelling with cigars
- Use a travel case with an 8 g two-way pack.
- Don’t leave cigars in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill.
- On flights, cabin pressure is fine; the pack keeps them stable. For longer trips, add an extra pack.
Handy reference: targets & pack guide
Suggested RH targets (guides, not rules)
- 62–65%: Many Cuban cigars, delicate wrappers, brighter flavour.
- 65–69%: Most New World cigars, balanced flavour/draw.
- 69–72%: Thick ring gauges, very dry homes, short-term recovery of dry stock.
Two-way pack sizing (rule of thumb)
- One 60 g pack per ~25 cigars (standard robusto size).
- For cabinets or big desktops, consider boxed bricks/electronic units and multiple packs for even distribution.
FAQs
Do I need Spanish cedar?
It’s helpful for aroma and humidity buffering but not mandatory. Airtight plastic with cedar sheets and two-way packs can work brilliantly.
Which water should I use?
Always distilled or deionised for beads, gels or sponge systems. Two-way packs don’t need water.
Should I remove cellophane?
Personal choice. On for protection and consistency; off to marry aromas faster. Many keep it on in mixed collections.
Can I keep cigars in their tubes?
Yes—just loosen the cap so humidity can equalise.
My hygrometer jumps when I open the lid—is that normal?
Yes. Readings dip briefly when you open the humidor. Judge stability after it’s been closed for a while.
How long can I age cigars?
Months to years, depending on the blend and your taste. Keep the environment stable and sample periodically.
Need help?
If you’d like personalised advice on your setup, pop into our Earls Court shop or message us—happy to help you tune RH, pick the right humidifier, and choose cigars that suit your flavour preferences.
Useful links
- Explore Humidors: /collections/humidors
- Humidification & accessories: /collections/humidification
- Hygrometers: /collections/hygrometers