The Art of Preparing Your Cigar Humidor: Mastering Humidification for Perfect Conservation

After purchasing a humidor, it's imperative to properly prepare it before storing your precious cigars. The wood used in humidors is hygroscopic, meaning it has the ability to absorb moisture. Without proper preparation, the wood could rob the cigars of moisture, drying them out, and irreparably damaging them. Properly preparing your humidor is therefore essential to ensure balanced humidity, thus preserving the quality and aroma of your cigars.

Preparing a cigar humidor, particularly humidifying it before use, is a crucial step in ensuring optimal cigar preservation. This article will guide you through the process of preparing your humidor, emphasizing the importance of humidification to maintain proper humidity.

Introduction to Cigar Storage

Cigar preservation isn't simply a matter of keeping them out of reach; it's an art that requires careful attention to humidity and temperature. A cigar humidor, also known as a humidor, is designed to recreate ideal storage conditions, mimicking the tropical climate where cigars are typically made.

Why is Humidification Crucial?

Cigars are made from natural tobacco leaves, which are sensitive to environmental conditions. Proper humidity (the level of humidity in the air) is essential to preserve the cigars' natural moisture and ensure an even burn, rich flavor, and long shelf life. The recommended humidity for cigar storage is between 65% and 72%.

Steps for Preparing the Cigar Humidor

1. Choosing the Right Humidor : First and foremost, make sure your humidor is well-designed. Spanish cedar humidors are particularly prized for their moisture-absorbing properties and pleasant scent, which can complement the aroma of cigars.

2. Calibrate the Hygrometer : First and foremost, it's crucial to calibrate your hygrometer, the tool that measures humidity in the cellar. Hygrometers can be analog or digital, the latter being renowned for their accuracy. Although pre-calibrated at the factory, personal verification is recommended to ensure accuracy. The salt test is a reliable method for this. This test is based on the fact that a mixture of salt and water produces a humidity level of 75%. Place a mixture of salt and a few drops of water in a bottle cap, then in a plastic bag with the hygrometer for 8 to 12 hours. If the hygrometer doesn't read 75%, adjust it accordingly.

3. Humidify the Humidor : Careful preparation is essential to optimize the use of a cigar humidor, ensuring the ideal preservation of your precious cigars. This process is broken down into several key steps, aimed at perfectly balancing the humidity within the humidor.

Method 1 - Active Cellar Preparation:

• The first step after calibrating your hygrometer is to actively prepare the humidor. Start by submerging a clean sponge in distilled water or a propylene glycol solution, ensuring it is thoroughly saturated. After lightly wringing the sponge to avoid over-saturation, place it inside the humidor, ideally on a plastic bag to protect the wood. The goal is to humidify the indoor air without directly wetting the wood in the humidor.
• Continue by preparing your cellar humidifier. After soaking it in the same solution, let it drain on paper towels to remove excess liquid.
• Next, install the humidifier and hygrometer in the cellar. Close the cellar and allow the system to stabilize the humidity for approximately 48 hours, making sure to also include any wooden trays or dividers to allow them to acclimate.
• After 48 hours, the sponge should be dry, indicating that the moisture has been properly absorbed by the air and the wood in the cellar.
• Then re-humidify the humidifier and place it back in the cellar for another 24 hours.
• Don't be alarmed if the hygrometer shows humidity between 80 and 85% initially; this is expected during the preparation phase.

Method 2 - The Wiping Method

• As an alternative to active preparation, the wiping method offers a faster, albeit riskier, process. This method involves directly moistening the interior walls of the cellar with a damp sponge. It's essential to use a new, damp sponge to avoid saturating the wood, which could cause it to warp. Wet wipes, designed specifically for this task, are a practical alternative, minimizing the risk of over-moistening.
• After wiping down the inside of the cellar, including the dividers and trays, close the cellar for 24 hours.
• Then, prepare the humidifier and hygrometer as described above, and observe the humidity after another 24 hours. The humidity should stabilize around 70-73%, the ideal condition for introducing your cigars.
• Risk Warning: The wiping method, while effective, requires special care to avoid compromising the structural integrity of the humidor. Spanish cedar, often used in humidors for its moisture-absorbing properties, is particularly vulnerable to warping in the event of direct and excessive contact with water. A warped humidor can lose its seal, threatening the preservation of cigars through the gradual loss of moisture.

Tips for Maintaining Humidity

• Regular Monitoring : Check humidity levels regularly and adjust the humidification system as needed.
• Using Distilled Water : Always use distilled water to avoid mineral buildup.
• Avoid Drastic Changes : Place your humidor in a location protected from drastic changes in temperature and humidity, away from sunny windows and heaters.

By following these steps and tips, you'll ensure optimal preservation of your cigars, allowing them to fully develop their aromas and character over time. Properly preparing your humidor is the first step toward a rewarding and satisfying cigar-drinking experience.