| Seasoning a Cigar Humidor | | | | and now your humidor is fully seasoned. This is how a |
| To keep the things we cherish in our lives working | | | | desktop humidor that contains a passive |
| properly, there is an element of regular garden | | | | humidification device works: the Spanish cedar (or |
| tending that needs to be undertaken. Whether it | | | | mahogany) retains the humidity, and the |
| comes in the form of frequently changing the oil in a | | | | humidification device replenishes the moisture in the |
| car, storm-proofing a rosewood deck, or seasoning a | | | | wood. So be sure you properly season your humidor |
| cigar humidor, without proper tending and | | | | to make sure it works! |
| maintenance our investments turn into | | | | The Real Story with Relative Humidity in Humidors |
| disappointments. Interestingly, most cigar hobbyists | | | | There is a pervasive myth regarding cigar humidors |
| have at best a tenuous understanding of how to | | | | that a decrease in temperature should be followed |
| keep their humidors functioning properly - especially | | | | by an increase in humidity, and vice versa. This is a |
| when they are expensive. | | | | common, but totally false belief. |
| Take a gentlemen who has recently acquired a | | | | To help set the records straight, we're going to |
| beautifully constructed humidor worth several | | | | reference The Variable Humidity Myth. This treatise |
| thousand dollars. Let's say the humidor was a gift, | | | | articulates how there are a number of authorities |
| but like most humidors sold on the market (whether | | | | claiming that relative humidity should move in an |
| they are costly models or not), it did not come with | | | | inverse direction from temperature: i.e. if you're |
| instructions on how to properly season it. | | | | maintaining a 70% RH humidor at 70 degrees, and |
| Seasoning a humidor is a crucial and necessary step | | | | the temperature falls to 65 degrees, the humidity |
| to ensure a beautiful new humidor functions properly | | | | should be raised to 75% RH to compensate. In fact, |
| - no matter how nice or how expensive. The inside | | | | the humidity should stay constant regardless of |
| of the humidor is usually lined with Spanish cedar or | | | | temperature. |
| mahogany. The reason these woods are used to line | | | | This is primarily because the tobacco within a cigar |
| the inside of the humidor is they hold humidity well, | | | | needs just enough moisture to keep it elastic, but |
| and both woods contain a natural anti-fungal agent | | | | not so much as to create expansion. This level is |
| that resists mold. This wood has been kiln dried, and | | | | always around 70% independent of temperature. |
| if your idea of maintenance is to simply regularly fill-up | | | | Why? Because we're not talking about how much |
| the humidification device, the kiln dried wood will | | | | moisture is physically in the tobacco (to keep the |
| easily absorb all of the moisture. | | | | absolute moisture the same if temperature dropped, |
| In order to properly season a humidor, you need to | | | | you would have to raise the humidity). What we are |
| obtain distilled water, and a brand new sponge. | | | | talking about is the sweet spot between tobacco |
| Distilled water should always be used in the | | | | leaves getting too brittle (68% RH or lower) and |
| humidification device to prevent buildup. Saturate the | | | | tobacco leaves beginning to swell (73% or higher). |
| sponge, and wipe down all the interior wood with the | | | | This sweet spot is always around 70% RH. |
| sponge. Don't be shy, but wipe all exposed interior | | | | By taking the time to understand these two basic |
| wood generously. Fill up the humidification device | | | | aspects of humidor care, you are well on your way |
| according to the specifications, and saturate the | | | | to being ahead of the game. Regularly seasoning your |
| sponge once more. Take the sponge, place it inside | | | | humidor and not incorrectly tampering with relative |
| the humidor, close the lid, and let it sit for 24 hours. | | | | humidity principles will ensure the longevity of your |
| Take the sponge out, and wipe down the interior | | | | humidor and maintain the quality of your cigar |
| wood one more time. Refill the humidification device | | | | collection for years to come. |