How Do Humidors Work?

Are you new to the world of cigars? In that case, let us educate you further on the use of the humidor.

That device your fellow aficionados have been telling you to get for your collection? Depending on the degree you plan to stockpile, you may need it. 

However, it would be ideal to know and understand the workings of this contraption (in some cases, the environment) before you buy or have one built.

There’s more than one way to store cigars effectively, but humidors are arguably the most optimal out of all these methods.

Ready to explore the world of humidors? Let’s begin!

Cigars and Humidors

Not many would typically consider aging a good thing. Depending on how you look at it, it can actually be one of the best things that can happen to an individual. Most might consider it a curse rather than a blessing, but we choose to look at it as the latter.

That’s aging in humans. How about aging in premium cigars? In this case, things are no longer subject to one’s own opinion because the answer is quite simple: yes, aging is essential in grade-a cigars.

That is when they’re aged properly. A warm, sunny environment does not factor into that equation. It can expose your precious stogies to too much heat, humidity, or cold, making them taste like ash before long.

So, that’s all the things that can make a cigar age badly. What makes cigars like fine wine, then?

That’s easy: proper storage. Proper storage is basically equivalent to using a humidor. This device or environment delivers the perfectly controlled temperature and humidity that creates deliciously flavored cigars.

Without it, it would be difficult to expose stogies to conditions that help them “age gracefully.” You can preserve cigars effectively in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware container for a few days, but that’s it. Beyond that, the stogies would likely go stale.

Carefully storing cigars inside a humidor may preserve (or even enhance) their flavor for years. Once cigars are stashed, you need only to check their moisture levels once in a while to ensure they remain accurate.

What Does a Cigar Humidor Really Do?

A humidor is where you store cigars to maintain their quality and flavor. The device allows you to control the temperature and humidity levels of the storage environment so cigars can achieve that perfectly balanced flavor.

As a result, cigars don’t end up becoming too wet or too dry. Instead, their taste and texture are just right for delivering that grand smoking experience.

Fantastic-tasting cigars are what it’s all about. If you’re spending big bucks for these premium sticks, you expect the experience to meet or exceed expectations. While that tends to be the case during the first few weeks, you want to ensure years of that quality experience.

That’s what the humidor does, but how exactly does it do it?

Spanish Cedar

Generally, humidors have a Spanish cedar lining that has the ability to absorb and release moisture slowly and steadily to keep humidity levels balanced. This is the kind of wood cigar trays are typically made of.

When using the humidor, make sure this component is moistened properly. Failing to do so may cause the cedar to draw moisture from the cigars, which could cause them to dry out too much.

Humidifier

Humidors come with built-in humidifiers to keep humidity at the desired level. Once seasoned and packed with cigars, the device will continue to provide the proper moisture across the box’s interior. Hence, the humidity will always be on point.

Additionally, any excess moisture produced will be absorbed by the cedar, making these two the perfect combination.

Humidifiers come in many different types, including gel-based options, foam-based blocks, and complex pouches.

There are many different types of humidifiers to choose from. These include gel-based humidifiers, complex pouches, and foam-based blocks. Different humidifiers could mean different ways to operate, so don’t forget to read the directions.

That said, regardless of the type you use, each will involve using distilled water and moisturizing agents.

In most humidors, humidifiers tend to be the first to give up. As soon as you see signs yours is about to, start looking for a replacement.

Hygrometer

A hygrometer can either be built into your humidor, or can be a separate tool used in tandem with it. Either way, you get better outcomes when these two work together.

The hygrometer’s role in cigar storage is essential. That’s because it measures relative humidity, which allows you to identify important steps in humidor usage, like if adjustments need to be made or if the box needs to be recharged.

Hygrometers are available in both analog and digital, so take your pick. Either option should inform you of any shift in temperature or humidity inside the box. Check this part once in a while, regardless of how much you trust your humidor to do its job. Even slight shifts in the environment can impact the quality of your cigars severely.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how a humidor works, do you see yourself needing one or not? Depending on how you treat cigar smoking and our humidor presentation, the answer could be quite clear.