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A cigar humidor is more than just a storage unit for your cigars, it is an absolute sanctuary that maintains the balance between temperature and humidity so that everyone can enjoy smoking cigars. But keeping the humidity at the right levels in your cigar humidor can feel like a constant battle. Achieving the ideal balance requires understanding humidity control and avoiding common pitfalls that lead to fluctuations. In this guide, we will explain, how to keep your humidor at the optimal humidity level and discuss tips and tricks to maintain consistent humidity levels.

First, let’s understand the concept of relative humidity.

What is Cigar Relative Humidity?

Relative humidity is the amount of moisture that air is holding at a certain temperature. In terms of cigar humidity, this is the balancing act that must be struck, with moisture levels ensuring oils and flavors are retained by cigars, neither becoming overwhelmingly dry nor too soft.

Typically, optimal cigar humidity falls between 65% to 72% RH, though preferences can differ. Too much humidity may lead to the growth of molds on the cigars; too little humidity dries out the cigars, resulting in a loss of flavor. The cigar humidor thus creates this microclimate to house your favorite sticks, using accessories like the humidor humidifier and cigar hygrometer to guarantee adequate storage conditions.

How Does Humidity Affect Cigars?

Humidity isn’t just a technical detail; it’s the lifeblood of cigar preservation. If humidor humidity levels dip too low, cigars lose their moisture content, resulting in an uneven burn and a flavor that’s harsher than intended. On the flip side, excess humidity can be equally damaging, causing cigars to swell, burn irregularly, and even foster mold growth.

When cigars are rolled the moisture content is kept around 20%, which is reduced to 12-15% by the time they are sold. This moisture content is actually the percentage of water that makes up the total weight of the cigar. This is the very level that needs to be maintained for a cigar to keep a perfect balance i.e. not too try or too moist.

Maintaining the relative humidity of the air where you store your cigars means recreating the tropical Caribbean climate. The better the balance between the relative humidity of your cigar storage, and the moisture content of your cigars, the better the flavor.

What is the Best Humidity Level for a Cigar Humidor?

While many enthusiasts consider 70% RH as the golden standard, the optimal humidor humidity can sometimes be nuanced. Generally, a range between 65% and 72% works well, but you might want to fine-tune it based on factors like your cigar type and storage duration.

Then there’s the frequent question: “Is 72% humidity too high for cigars?” For some, it might be, especially in humid climates where mold risks increase. In drier regions, 72% RH can actually be beneficial to counterbalance low ambient humidity. If you find your cigars becoming overly soft or developing unwanted aromas, try dialing down the humidor humidity gauge to around 68% for a more balanced environment.

How to Keep Cigar Humidor at 70 Degrees?

Maintaining a consistent cigar humidor temperature of around 70°F is as important as monitoring humidity. Temperature and humidity work in tandem, so fluctuations in one can impact the other. Here are some methods to stabilize your humidor’s environment:

• Choose the Right Humidifier: A reliable humidifier for a humidor is vital. Whether you go for an electric humidor or a manual humidifier, the goal is to keep RH steady. Electric humidifiers often provide automatic control, reducing the need for constant checks.
• Get a Quality Hygrometer: The best hygrometer for humidors gives accurate readings, enabling you to make adjustments as necessary. Digital hygrometers are preferred by many due to their reliability and ease of use.
• Keep the Temperature Consistent: A humidor heater can help regulate temperature if your storage area is prone to getting cold, while air conditioning can aid in keeping things cool in warmer climates. Temperature consistency is key to preventing mold and pests like tobacco beetles, which can ruin a collection if conditions are too warm.
• Adjust Seasonally: External temperatures and humidity fluctuate with the seasons, which can affect your humidor’s internal environment. Monitoring and adjusting your humidor settings seasonally can go a long way in keeping conditions stable for your cigars.

Detailed Cigar Humidor Control Tips

Creating and maintaining the ideal cigar humidor humidity requires a mix of strategy, tools, and a bit of patience. Here are some extra tips for precise humidity control:

1. Season the Humidor: Before adding cigars, season your humidor by wiping the interior with a damp cloth or placing a humidifying packet inside for 24-48 hours. This prevents the wood from absorbing the moisture meant for your cigars.
2. Regularly Refill the Humidifier: Depending on the type of humidifier and the climate, you may need to top it up every couple of weeks. Avoid using tap water, as it can contain minerals that might disrupt your RH. Instead, opt for distilled water or a propylene glycol solution.
3. Rotate Your Cigars: Every so often, rotate cigars to ensure even humidity exposure. Those in corners or at the bottom might experience slightly different conditions, and rotating them will help maintain consistent quality throughout your collection.
4. Calibrate Your Hygrometer: Analog hygrometers can drift over time, so it’s wise to recalibrate them periodically using a salt test. This ensures your readings remain accurate, giving you the best chance of maintaining the ideal humidity for cigars.
5. Use Multiple Humidifiers for Larger Humidors: If you have a large collection, adding a humidor humidifier can provide more balanced coverage. This can prevent areas within the humidor from developing dry or damp spots.

Balance and Advice: Maintaining Humidity in Your Humidor

Maintaining cigar humidor humidity takes care, and small mistakes can disrupt the entire balance. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Over-humidifying: It’s easy to think more humidity means better preservation, but this can lead to mold growth. Likewise, under-humidifying dries out cigars, robbing them of their rich taste. Aim for balance, not excess.
• Ignoring Temperature Control: Humidity isn’t the only factor; humidor temperature matters too. High temps can cause mold and attract tobacco beetles. To avoid this, ensure both temperature and humidity stay within the recommended ranges.
• Using Tap Water: Tap water contains impurities that can affect cigar flavor and humidifier efficiency. Stick to distilled water or propylene glycol solutions for optimal results.
• Infrequent Monitoring: Check your hygrometer regularly, especially in climates with variable temperatures and humidity. Regular monitoring and slight adjustments help avoid extreme shifts that could harm your cigars.
• Not Calibrating Hygrometers: Over time, hygrometers can lose accuracy. Regular calibration ensures that the humidity levels shown are truly reflective of the environment inside your humidor, so you’re not storing cigars in suboptimal conditions without realizing it.

Conclusion

Achieving the perfect balance in your cigar humidor is essential for anyone serious about cigar quality. By keeping your cigar humidor humidity at around 70% and monitoring temperature, you preserve not only the taste but the entire experience of each cigar. Use a reliable humidor humidifier and cigar hygrometer as your go-to tools, and make adjustments as needed to maintain the best cigar humidity. For all your cigar storage needs, visit Mozsly for premium solutions that help maintain the ideal environment for your cigars year-round.

FAQs

Q: What happens if cigar humidity levels are too dry?

A: Dry cigars burn quickly, and their flavor turns harsh. Low humidity can also cause cracks in the wrapper. To bring RH back up, you can add distilled water to your humidifier or introduce humidifying packets until levels stabilize.

Q: What happens if cigar humidity levels are too high?

A: Excess humidity risks mold, swelling, and uneven burns. For those wondering, “Is 72% humidity too high for cigars?” the answer is: that it depends on climate and preference. If your cigars feel overly soft, reduce the RH slightly and ensure ventilation.

Q: How often should I humidify my humidor?

Regularly check your humidor’s humidity; refill or reload the humidifier every 1 to 3 months depending on the climate and usage of the humidor.

Q: What if I didn’t season my humidor?

Without seasoning, the wood in the humidor will soak up the moisture in your cigars leading them to lose flavor.

Q: How do I know if my humidor has been seasoned?

When your humidor remains fairly consistent (about 70% humidity) for 24-48 hours without too much fluctuation, you’ve got a seasoned humidor.