Keeping your cigars at the perfect temperature

 cigars are fussy things. If they are stored improperly, even for a short period of time, the pleasure they provide can be greatly diminished. Too much moisture in the air can cause a cigar to flake and increase the chances of mould. Too little moisture and they will burn unevenly and quickly. A humidor solves all these problems, doesn't it?

Yes, but it's a little more complicated than that.
This cigar box with humidifiers and hygrometers can regulate both humidity and temperature. In fact, if you really want to keep your cigars in the best possible condition, then they are the right tools for the job. But humidors aren't set up properly and forget about equipment that can be used forever without maintenance. All should follow three best practice tips to get the best performance from their humidors and to get the ideal flavour and burn from their cigars.

cigar boxes are a shell and the interior is usually made of cedar (although other less absorbent woods can be used). On their own, they are essentially just containers. The humidifier inside does all the heavy lifting by moistening the air with the liquid you add to it. But not just any liquid will do; you need to use a special humidifier or distilled water, the latter of which can be purchased at almost any grocery shop or pharmacy. Other equipment involved in humidifying the air (such as CPAP machines) require distilled water for a reason. Tap water contains minerals that can cause scaling in cigar boxes and seriously affect the flavour of cigars over time. It also contains substances that help mould and other bacteria to grow. Distilled water contains neither, so it is the right choice for the long-term health of your humidor.

cigar boxes should be opened regularly for short periods of time when using them to reduce mouldy odours - one hour a week is usually sufficient. What it will accomplish is a much-needed renewal of the air inside, and while the moisture content of an open humidor may not be suitable for cigars for a long time, an hour certainly won't do any harm. However, never allowing a complete replacement of the internal air can cause considerable damage. Over time, any closed, humidified environment will develop a musty smell. The mouldy air will eventually permeate the cigar, giving off a strange smell that may offend the senses of taste and smell.

Finally, look out for the presence of mould, which can develop even when distilled water is used. Mould is the death knell of cigars and can spread quickly. If you see mould on some cigars, it is important to remove all cigars and check all cigars carefully. Bag the unaffected cigars, discard the mouldy ones, then clean the humidor thoroughly and air dry them before using them again. But what is often mistaken for mould is actually just 'bloom', a substance that tends to form in tobacco. The grey to white spots that can appear on cigars may look worrying, but they are not. Contrary to the obvious blue/green fuzz or mould, the flowers can be easily removed by simply brushing your finger over them.

So, to review, use distilled water in your humidifier, do a weekly air exchange and make sure you check your cigars at least once a week (preferably when you open the humidor for the air exchange) to ensure there is no unwanted mould growth. Follow these steps and your cigars will be ready to enjoy.

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