Humidor Guide

Humidors are cases specially designed for the storage of cigars. Cigars need to be kept at a constant level of humidity (about 70 percent to 75 percent) so that they won't dry out or rot and must be kept protected from exposure to daily fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Wood Lining

• Most humidors are lined with a kind of wood that absorbs just the right amount of humidity from the air, keeping the atmosphere inside the humidor at a constant humidity level. These woods are usually Spanish cedar, American cedar or Honduran mahogany. It is generally agreed that Spanish cedar is best suited for humidor linings, as it is not only the best for keeping stable humidity levels but can also lend extra flavor to the cigars stored within.

Humidifier

• All humidors incorporate a humidifier to ensure the proper levels of humidity. Traditionally, a sponge was used for this purpose, but more recent manufacturers have had success with acryl polymer crystals. The humidifier should be topped up regularly with distilled water or a mixture of distilled water and propylene glycol.

Seal

• The lining and humidifier are the two most important parts of a humidifier. The third most important aspect is the seal. The case must shut tight so as to keep the atmosphere inside the humidor at the correct humidity level and it must be resistant -- a humidor should last a lifetime and the seal should not warp over time.

Other Materials

• A humidor can be made in many different materials, shapes and sizes. It is most common to use wood, with some made entirely out of Spanish cedar while others are made from another kind of hardwood, MDF or plywood with a Spanish cedar lining. Stainless steel or leather-bound humidors with a lining also exist. So long as a humidor keeps cigars reliably, its outward appearance and size is a matter of taste and your cigar storage needs.