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Proper Storage With a Cigar Humidifier
By M. A. Fulmar

Before you acquire the ultimate cigar collection, make sure you have what is necessary to maintain it. To maximize the shelf life of your collection, you'll need a proper storage place along with a cigar humidifier. A cigar storage place, called a humidor, can be a box, case or room. The humidor is kept at the optimum level of relative humidity in order to preserve the quality of the cigars.

The Importance of The Relative Humidity Level

Generally, cigar tobacco is grown in climates with a relative humidity level ranging between 60 and 70 percent. Ideal storage environments mimic this climate by using a cigar humidifier to regulate the amount of moisture in the air. This protects the cigars from drying out or becoming too moist.

Once a cigar has dried out, it is brittle and cannot be restored to its original shape. If a cigar gets too wet, then the tobacco leaves will swell. Too much moisture can also promote mold growth. Either condition will adversely affect the freshness and taste of the cigars. Improperly stored cigars may produce bitter, sour, or acrid tastes. Other issues related to improper storage include beetle infestation, uneven burning, and lighting problems.

Humidors and Cigar Humidifiers

Cigar humidifiers are arguably the most important part of your storage system because they help maintain the correct humidity level inside the humidor. The size needed depends on the size of the humidor. A humidor may include a humidifier, but they may also be sold separately.

Most cigar humidifiers have a holding tank with a wick that draws out the water. It is blown into the air by a fan. The water then evaporates conditioning the air and protecting the cigars. The ideal humidity level is between 70 and 73 percent. Just below 70 tends to dry out the cigars slowly while above 75 produces more moisture than necessary. Distilled water is recommended because it does not encourage the build-up of minerals like spring water.

Another option to keep cigars fresh is humidifying solution. A humidifying solution can be used in a humidifier in place of water. It is a liquid or gel that evaporates more slowly than water. So, it doesn't need to be replenished as often as water saving time and energy on maintenance.

Other Factors to Consider
The humidity level inside the humidor is affected by factors other than the cigar humidifier. The amount of air leakage between the lid and box of the humidor as well as the frequency of opening can impact the humidity level. Other factors are the type of wood used and the number of cigars. Generally, fuller is better. The temperature and humidity level outside the box should also be taken into account.

Author Details:
M. A. Fulmar, copywriter for various websites including the Health articles on www.naturalcrystaldeodorant.com & other health sites such as The A-Z of Smoking

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