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WHAT IS A CIGAR HUMIDOR & HOW DOES A HUMIDOR WORK?

Cigar humidor is often purchased to protect cigars. They are designed to maintain the humidity and temperature of your cigars to ensure they stay fresh and high quality. Cigar humidor also protect your cigars from physical damage, such as crushing or rubbing. Additionally, Cigar humidor can help organize and store cigars, making them easy to manage and display. So, if you are a cigar aficionado, investing in a quality cigar humidor will ensure that your cigars are always in tip-top condition. 

 

However, a beginner cigar smoker often buys a cigar humidor out of duty. A friend or tobacconist tells you that this must-have keeps cigars fresh, but you aren’t entirely sure of the workings or the science behind the cigar humidor. And that’s where Precious steps in. 

 

As a trusted leader in the cigar humidor industry, Precious perfected how to keep cigars fresh in a cigar humidor. But before we get into how easy it is to use Precious to protect cigars, let’s learn about this basic piece of cigar appliances—the cigar humidor. 

Below, we’ll explore the theory of cigar box, such as “What is a cigar humidor?”; “How does a cigar humidor work?”; and “How to Choose a Good Humidor?”, "How to Use a Cigar Humidor?"


what is a cigar humidor and how does is work

WHAT IS A CIGAR HUMIDOR?

A cigar humidor, also known as a cigar packaging box, is a box used to store and display cigars. It has an exquisite appearance and unique design. Humidors not only serve a practical function, they are often considered a luxury item or collectible. In cigar culture, cigar boxes carry rich historical and cultural connotations and have become a beloved part of cigar lovers.

 

Cigar humidors usually have a rectangular or cylindrical shape, and the interior is usually divided into several compartments so that the cigars can stay separated and not bump into each other. Some high-end Cigar humidors are also equipped with humidity control systems to ensure that the cigar storage environment is always maintained at the appropriate humidity and temperature.

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Cigar humidors are usually made of wood, leather, or metal. Wooden cigar humidors are the most common type, and some commonly used woods include cedar, oak, and mahogany. Leather cigar boxes are often used for high-end cigars because of their noble appearance and high-quality protective properties. Metal cigar humidors are usually made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel, providing sturdier protection.

 

Cigar humidors prices vary based on their material, design, and brand. Ordinary wooden humidors generally cost between tens and a hundred dollars, while high-end leather or metal humidors may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Some custom or limited edition humidors are even more expensive.



    

HOW DOES A CIGAR HUMIDOR WORK?  


To understand how a humidor works, you have to understand its different parts and their functions. There are some important parts of a humidor, including the lid, the body, the hygrometer, and the humidification mechanism.


Lid and Body


The lid is one of the most important parts of a humidor. It is usually made of Spanish cedar, a wood known for its ability to absorb excess moisture. It also helps to maintain the optimal humidity level for your cigars. The lid should have a tight seal to keep the humidity level consistent and prevent excess water from entering the humidor.

The body of the humidor is also usually made of Spanish cedar, the use of which is considered an industry standard and a hallmark of high-end cigar humidors. The porous nature of Spanish cedar allows it to absorb moisture from the humidifier and slowly release it into the air. This helps regulate the humidity level inside the humidor. Additionally, the natural oils and resins in the wood repel insects and prevent mold growth, further preserving the quality of fresh cigars.

The seal of the humidor has the greatest impact on the preservation of cigars. It is very simple to check the tightness of a humidor. After dark, turn off the cigarette and turn on the flashlight function of your mobile phone. Place the light source facing up inside the humidor, then cover the humidor and see if there is light coming through the gap of the humidor. If not, it is a humidor with good sealing.

There is another technology that can also solve the problem of tightness, the mortise and tenon technology, which allows a box to be firmly assembled without a nail or a drop of glue. Simply put, it is to assemble the two connecting parts with a concave and convex connection method. The convex part is called the tenon (or tenon head); the concave part is called the tenon (or mortise, tenon groove), and the tenon and tenon bite together to play a connecting role.

 

Hygrometer

The humidor hygrometer is a device that measures the humidity level inside the humidor. To ensure accurate humidity readings, it should be placed in the central area of the humidor, away from the humidifier and any direct moisture or heat sources.

Ideally, the hygrometer should be placed in the same position as the cigars, because the humidity level can change at different heights of the humidor. It is also important to avoid touching the hygrometer with your hands, because the oils on your skin will affect the accuracy of the reading.

Many modern humidors have built-in hygrometers, while others need to be purchased and installed separately. Regardless of the type of hygrometer used, it must be calibrated regularly to ensure accurate readings and maintain the ideal humidity level for your cigars.

Humidifier

The humidifier in a humidor is responsible for regulating and maintaining the humidity level within the container. It is designed to add moisture to the air and keep it at a consistent level to preserve the quality of your cigars.

The most popular type of humidifier is a humidifier, which can be active or passive. Active humidifiers use a motor or fan to circulate moisture into the air, while passive humidifiers rely on natural evaporation.

One of the most common types is a water-based humidifier, which uses a sponge or foam pad soaked in a humidifying solution such as distilled water or propylene glycol. The moisture is then released into the air through small openings or perforations in the humidifier.

Another type of humidifier is a gel-based humidifier, which uses a gel to absorb moisture and slowly release it over time. The humidifier is usually placed at the bottom of the humidifier. Their effectiveness depends on the size of the container and the number of cigars stored inside.

 

Generally speaking, the working principle of a cigar box is to control the humidity in the box through a humidification device to ensure the quality and taste of the cigars. Specific humidification controls depend on the environmental conditions in which the box is located, such as a desert or jungle, as well as local humidity levels and climate characteristics.

 

Precious Packaging, two-way humidity control packets are the leading choice among cigar lovers for a reason. Slipped in a cigar humidor, Precious will release moisture to reach the intended RH (69%, 72%,  etc.) and maintain the best environment for a cigar or refresh a dry cigar. And they can also boot the other way, charming moisture from the air inside the humidor if the RH is too high. They do the hard work of dialing in on cigar humidification so you’re left with a peak-performing humidor—and a tasty cigar—every single time. 

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Now you already know what is a cigar humidor and how does a cigar humidor, 

you must want to know how to choose a good cigar humidor.


How to Choose a Good Cigar Humidor

When choosing a good cigar humidor, there are several factors to consider to ensure that you are getting a quality product that will properly store your cigars. Here are some tips on how to choose a good humidor: Size, Quality of Construction, Seal, Hygrometer and Humidification System, Reputation of the Manufacturer, and price.

 

Choose the Right Size

Most humidors are available in capacities of 25, 50, 75, and 100 cigars. However, they can number up to several hundred. If you only need to store a handful of cigars, you don’t need a huge humidor that can hold 300 cigars. Humidor capacity will also vary based on the size of the cigars. Many humidors are rated based on how many Toro-sized cigars you can hold. Classic Toro measures 6 inches with a 52 ring gauge. This is larger than a typical 5 x 50 Robusto, but smaller than a 7 x 48 Churchill.

 

Choose a size slightly larger than you think you need. Its best to leave about 18% free space inside the humidor. This gives air and humidity a better chance to circulate. It's good to leave some breathing room around the cigar.

 

Quality of Construction

Look for a humidor made with high-quality materials such as Spanish cedar, which is known for its ability to maintain the ideal humidity level for cigars. Check for solid construction and a well-fitted lid to ensure a tight seal.

 

Inspect the seal

The most important quality in a well-made cigar humidor is the seal. The seal is where the lid meets the box. When the lid is closed, you should hear a slight "whoosh" sound as the air escapes, rather than a "clunk" - this is a sign that the box may not be as tightly constructed as it should be. Also keep in mind that the wood will expand after the box is installed and humidified, Visual Inspection: First, take a close look at the appearance of the humidor. Make sure there are no obvious breaks or damage to the box, including the lid and bottom seals.

Touch inspection: Gently press the lid of the humidor to feel whether it has a certain degree of elasticity. If the box is well-sealed, the lid should have some resistance and elasticity.

Smell check: Open the humidor and smell the smell inside. If the box is well sealed, there should be no strange or stale smell inside.

Hygrometer: Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity inside your humidor. If the hygrometer shows the appropriate humidity range, the box's seal is probably good.

 

 

 

Hygrometer and Humidification System

 

 A reliable cigar humidor should come with a built-in hygrometer to measure the humidity level, as well as a humidification system to keep the interior at the ideal moisture level for cigars.

 

Once you've set up your cigar humidor, keep an eye on the hygrometer. This is how you know your cigar humidor is maintaining humidity and functioning properly. A hygrometer measures the humidity inside the box. Most digital models also include a thermometer. In addition to monitoring the hygrometer, squeeze the cigar occasionally. They should exhibit a soft firmness, but not be too floppy or stiff. Your cigars should reflect the condition you would expect if purchasing from a premium cigar retail store.

 

How Much Should You Spend?

While it's important to consider your budget, keep in mind that a good humidor is an investment that will protect and preserve your cigars. Look for a balance between quality and affordability.

Precious cigar humidor price is from $8 to $1200, it depends on the size, material, etc. Don’t hesitate to connect us for the price.


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How to Use a Cigar Humidor?


1. Humidify the humidor

First, we need to open the humidor, take out all the items in the box, including the tray, humidifier and hygrometer, and then wipe the entire inside of the box with a cloth soaked in distilled water until the wood appears moist. But be aware that if this method is used frequently, it may damage the wooden structure of the humidor and cause the humidor to not seal tightly. After wiping, wipe off the excess water in the box, so that the moisturizing efficiency of the humidor can be evenly distributed.


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2. Humidify the humidity regulator

First, we need to immerse the humidity regulator in distilled water for about 15-20 minutes until the internal sponge is full of water. Then leave the regulator for about 10 minutes and wipe it with a dry cloth to ensure that no water drops flow out. Precious tells you a little secret: just shake the regulator gently to let the water that is not absorbed by the sponge flow out! In daily life, the humidity regulator needs to be humidified every 2 to 5 weeks!


humidity regulator.png


3. Adjust the hygrometer

Put the hygrometer in the soaked cloth for about an hour and adjust the humidity reading to between 95% and 100%.


hygrometer for cigar humidor


Tips for caring for your humidor

1. Storage method

Avoid exposing the humidor box directly to light or placing it next to electronic equipment, as this will increase the temperature of the inside box and may even damage the structure of the box. Generally speaking, we should place the cigar humidor box in a dry and ventilated place to prevent it from getting moldy.

2. Control the temperature

During daily use, we need to keep the temperature inside the humidor at around 20°C. If it is higher than this temperature, there is a risk of insects. In summer, we can keep the cigar humidor in an air-conditioned room to keep the temperature between 20°C and 22°C. In winter, remember not to place the cigar humidor next to a heating device, otherwise it will easily cause the temperature inside the box to rise.


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FAQ 

Hopefully this article has answered your burning questions about cigar humidors. However, you may still have some unanswered questions. Especially if you're new to cigars, the world of  cigar humidors can be intimidating and complicated.

Finally, here are some cigar humidor FAQs with quick answers and/or resources for further reading:

Where did you buy your cigar humidor?

 If you want to see and touch the items you purchase, shop local. Use this cigar store locator to find a reputable smoke shop near you. If you’re curious about how to buy a humidor online, check out this Cigar World article.

How much does a cigar humidor cost?

Dramatic change. Our portable cigar humidors cost as low as $8, so they make great entry-level humidors. A basic tabletop humidor costs around $50, and an upgraded tabletop humidor can cost as much as $280. The possibilities are endless with a cabinet humidor (you can keep adding zeros to your liking).

How to tell if you are buying a quality wooden cigar humidor?

Be a smart shopper. To avoid buying a cheap cigar humidor, construction is the most important thing. Look for places where humidor manufacturers cut corners—from the base to the lid to the thin walls in between. Find out what makes a good cigar humidor.

How to use a cigar humidor?

Thankfully, cigar lovers learning how to use a cigar humidor won’t face an uphill battle. this is very simple. If you have a new wood cigar humidor, choose a humidor starter kit. The packaging it comes with will season your humidor and control humidity for months. If you use a plastic container or acrylic humidor, you don't need to season it, just use the 69% RH Boveda wrapper inside. For more in-depth answers, check out our resources on how to use a cigar humidifier/dehumidifier.

What is this cigar humidor condiment business? 

Seasoning refers to the process of increasing the moisture content of the wood so that it a) does not strip the cigar of moisture and b) creates a better seal. Precious sells humidor flavoring packets (84% RH) to make the entire process hassle-free. We also offer seasoning packs in Precious.