Cigar Humidors: Prepare and Season Your New Humidor
When you purchase a new humidor, you should take a series of steps before you place your cigars inside of it. The humidification system needs to be prepared, and the cedar lining needs to be seasoned so that your cigars receive suitable humidity and taste. The Spanish cedar wood lining will have been prepared in a kiln, and will require seasoning. If you are not careful to do this before placing your cigars in the humidor, the dry wood can in fact take moisture and dry out your cigars.
The following is a numbered series of step to take to season your humidor:
1. To prepare your humidor to house your cigars you will need some distilled water, a soft, clean cloth and a bit of patience to make the necessary preparations. This will take a few days, and it is vital that you use distilled water, not tap water. Dampen the cloth and wipe the interior of the humidor with it, as well as the dividers and trays. You do not need to soak the humidor, wiping it is all that is required.
2. Use distilled water to fill the humidification device. Be sure that you don't overly fill it and let any extra water drain out. Wipe the exterior to be rid of any excess drops and then place the humidification device in it's housing in the lid of the humidor. Close the humidor and leave it to sit for several hours.
After several hours, repeat the preparations and leave the humidor closed over night. Check your hygrometer for a reading of about 70% humidity the following day.
3. The ideal humidity for maturing the humidor is 68-70%.
4. If there are any problems and the humidity falls below 62%, the first steps will need to be repeated. If this is the case the wood will also need to be prepared again, and it would be worthwhile to check the seals to see if they are all in order.
5. Be sure that you keep your humidor away from direct and excessive heat.
Your cigars need to be stored at an ideal temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidor should maintain an optimal humidity of 68 to 72%.
It can be problematic to maintain this humidity as seasons change throughout the year. External humidity and other elements of your home environment can have an impact upon how well the humidification system works in your cigar humidor.
When you are using heaters or air conditioners, and even if you are opening windows you are effectively altering the humidity level of your home for a period of time. This can increase the difficulty of keeping a suitable humidity level in you humidor.
Finally, be aware that exposure to direct sunlight can decrease humidity levels, as can air circulation around your humidor.
