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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After six years of service, Smoking jacket continues to be the best place to find Nee World Cigars in London. Wide selection, appropriately stored at a fair price.
