If you are a cigar expert or a simple amateur, knowing how to store a cigar is very important. Proper storage will keep cigars fresh and good. Once you learn the basics of storage, you can keep them in great condition for long periods of time. Read the following instructions.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Quick Storage
Step 1. Take a climate measurement
A good cigar is like something that breathes: it needs to stay in a controlled climate or it risks drying out in a few hours. If you have found a good cigar but don't want to smoke it yet, you can make sure to keep it cool until you decide to do so.
- A cigar should be stored at around 21 ° C with a humidity of around 70%. In some climates, such as Miami, it can be kept in its enclosure for a short period of time without the risk of it drying out. If you are in Arizona or Alaska, the dry weather could ruin it if you don't plan to smoke the cigar within 24 hours.
- Good quality cigar tobacco has been grown in a tropical climate, between 65 and 72% humidity. Cigars are made up of layers of whole tobacco leaves, and the structure is based on their ability to stay greasy and moist. Cigars not stored at the optimum temperature and humidity can dry out, crack, or mold.
- If you are a true lover of cigars and want to keep a certain amount, you will need to buy a humidor. Read the next step.
Step 2. Store some cigars in an open plastic bag until you are ready to smoke them
If you have a cigar or two but can't smoke them right away, the best way to store them is in an open ziplock bag with a slightly damp cloth over the opening, in a dark space kept around 21 ° C.
- Humidor bags are commonly sold in many cigar shops and can keep them fresh for several weeks. In good cigar shops, the tobacconist often asks how long you are going to store them, and may pack the cigar in one of these bags. By asking questions you will have the opportunity to learn a lot about it.
- The towel should be clean and only slightly damp, preferably with distilled water. After a couple of hours, check the bag to make sure that too much moisture isn't accumulating inside. If so, open the bag and move the towel back slightly. Cigars can get moldy.
- Alternatively, cigars can be stored in a clean plastic tray, covered with a barely damp towel, almost completely dry and kept at the proper temperature. Whichever storage method you choose, temperature is the most important factor.
Step 3. Keep them in cellophane or in a tube while in transit
If the cigar comes wrapped in cellophane wrapper or is kept in a cedar sleeve or other type of tube, you can keep it in the box until you intend to smoke it. Cellophane will allow air to reach the cigar, while other types of tubes and sleeves will protect it during transport.
Cigar aficionados have different opinions on whether to leave or remove cigars in their cases for a long time. For short periods, there is nothing to worry about. All cigar smokers agree, though: after a day or two, you'll have to decide whether to smoke it or put it in a humidor
Step 4. Keep it out of the fridge
It is a common misconception that freezing or refrigerating cigars is an effective way to keep them cool. Nothing could be more false, unless you want a cigar that tastes like a refrigerator. Even if the cigar is overheated, or the temperature is too humid, or not enough, never keep the cigar in the refrigerator.
- Cigars should not be kept in perfectly sealed environments because they need to breathe. Don't put them in a plastic box with a resealable lid, or keep it in the freezer, unless you want to spoil it. Cigars stored with a damp cloth in a plastic box will likely get too moist, and may even get moldy after a short period of time.
- If you have absolutely nothing to store the cigar at 21 ° C-70%, store it in a relatively cool place in the house if you live in a warm climate during the summer, or keep it in the kitchen (the hottest room in the house) if your winter offers a cool climate. Spray water periodically into the air to simulate a humidifier. Not ideal, but you can avoid spoiling a cigar. Or you can just smoke it.
Step 5. Ask for a box at the cigar store
When you are about to buy, if you know you don't have anywhere to store it, and you know you don't want to smoke it right away, ask the store for advice, and ask if they have old cigar boxes lying around, preferably cedar for purchase or maybe for free.. Sometimes they will give it to you. Kept in a cigar box, in a cool room, the cigar will be fine for a while.
Method 2 of 4: Choose a Humidor
Step 1. Consider the price
Humidifiers are available in different sizes, styles and prices. It doesn't have to be very expensive to store cigars well. Search online or in stores.
- Around € 50 you can find one with a glass lid and the ability to control the temperature.
- Another cost factor is temperature and humidity control, sensor quality may vary slightly. The ideal is to buy a small humidor with high-quality elements.
- While good quality cedar caskets are the best and most reliable way to store cigars, it is possible to build your own with homemade ingredients if you are not a real fanatic. Move on to the next method if you want to make it yourself.
Step 2. Consider the number of cigars you will have available
There is no point in investing in a 7-drawer humidor that can hold a couple of hundred cigars if you only smoke one every now and then. Try to predict how many cigars you will smoke and buy a suitable one.
- The tabletop humidors can hold up to 25 cigars, while the larger ones up to 150. Those with more compartments offer better organization, giving you the ability to divide the various zones by cigar variety with hundreds of holders. This is the most expensive solution, they can cost up to several hundred euros.
- Travel humidors are small, sturdy containers with a plastic base that hold 10-15 cigars at a time. If you travel frequently or want something cheap, a travel humidor can be a great alternative to expensive ones.
Step 3. Make sure the humidor you buy is cedar lined
It is an important factor as it helps regulate humidity and air flow. Those made of plastic or metal will not maintain an optimal temperature like a cedar humidor. It is more beautiful, smells good and keeps the temperature and humidity well.
Step 4. Choose a humidifier for your humidor
Most humidors come with a humidifier that can be of various types, and knowing how to choose the right one is another important element.
- Sponge humidifiers: they are the most common and inexpensive. They are normally placed near the lid of the humidor and are soaked in propylene and glycol which regulate the humidity in the container. The solution is sold at tobacconists and costs 5-8 euros. The most common brands are Xikar and Cigar Mechanic.
- Beads: They are made of silicon and are very durable, easy to use and change. A pack of pearls costs around 15-19 euros and you probably won't need to replace it, just top up it. To use them, soak them in distilled water and sprinkle water on them periodically. Storing them in a women's stocking is a great way to put them in a humidor.
- Digital humidifiers: they are quite expensive but very efficient. You can set it as you wish and forget about it.
Step 5. Buy a hygrometer and calibrate it
A hygrometer is used to measure the humidity level of the humidor; it can be digital or analog and can be installed inside or outside the humidor. Some come with a hygrometer on the outer lid. Digital hygrometers do not need calibration unlike analog ones.
To calibrate a hygrometer, close it in a plastic bag with a spoonful of salt in a cap for 6-12 hours. When you remove it it should measure 75% humidity. If not, use a screwdriver to calibrate the back of the meter to measure 75%
Step 6. Create a microclimate in the humidor
Before storing cigars in the humidor you need to humidify it for about 7 days, it's a simple process, but very important.
- Install the humidifier in the humidor.
- Put a cup of distilled water in the humidor and lightly moisten the sides of the container by dabbing them.
- Close the humidor and let it moisten for 7 days, keeping an eye on the temperature and humidity. After a week, remove the glass of water and you can finally store your cigars.
Method 3 of 4: DIY humidor
Step 1. Find a suitable container
A homemade humidor can be made from plastic baskets, old ammo containers or cigar boxes. While these options don't perform as well as a real humidor, they can be fine for an average period of time. If you plan to store your cigar for more than a week, but don't want to buy a humidor, it's a good idea to make it yourself:
- After choosing your container, wash it thoroughly with antibacterial soap and warm water. Let it dry completely. The container should be large enough to hold your cigars.
- Make sure the container closes properly and allows for some air circulation. This helps keep the cigar flavor intact. If the container is sealed, make sure you open it at least every 2 weeks.
Step 2. Humidify the container
Just like you would with a store-bought humidor, you need to find a way to keep the air at 70% humidity. Add a jar of Xicar beads / gel to the container, soaked in distilled water, then drain.
- Put at least a small, moistened sponge in the bottom of the container. This will ensure that moisture is available inside the container once closed. Tightly close the lid on the container with the cigars inside.
- At a local cigar shop, ask if they have any cedar dividers from cigar boxes lying around that they can give you. You can use the latter to create either the tubes for storing the cigar, or to line the walls of the homemade humidor. This will help regulate the humidity.
Step 3. Store the container in a cool, dark place
Monitor the temperature of the area and make sure it stays at around 21 ° C. Keep a thermometer nearby to monitor the temperature and smoke cigars as soon as you get the chance.
Check the cigars periodically to make sure they are not affected by too much moisture or are wet. Look for any signs of mold, or drops of moisture in the humidor. Remove the humidifier, or leave it in the air if this happens
Method 4 of 4: Long-term storage of cigars in a humidor
Step 1. Store the humidor at the right temperature
Humidors can only control humidity and not temperature. You have to keep it in an environment around 20 ° C.
Step 2. Do not mix different varieties of cigars
A common point of confusion and interest for aficionados with a large collection is where to store the different cigars. If you have 15 Maduros and a variety of other cigars, of varying strengths and flavors, can they all stand next to each other? Yes and no. Keep natural cigars with natural cigars and flavored cigars with flavored ones.
- It is possible for some flavors to mix between cigars, but not all. A good rule of thumb is to separate (remember the cedar dividers at the cigar shop?) Any flavored cigar from any natural tobacco cigar. A cognac-flavored cigar, for example, can blend with the flavor of the natural tobacco with which it shares space. In general though, natural cigars should stick together regardless of strength or flavor profile.
- If necessary, keep a variety of cigars in the same box in a humidor, or the same humidor next to each other; consider keeping them in cedar sleeves, or make one out of old cedar taken from the cigar store.
Step 3. Consider aging "naked" quality cigars
Another topic discussed in the cigar world is whether to store them in cellophane packaging or "naked". If you have a poor quality humidor and want to age a high quality cigar for a long period of time, it is recommended that you remove the cellophane (some argue), although it still depends a lot on your preferences.
If you intend to smoke a cigar in the short term, in less than a month, it is good to leave it in a cellophane wrapper for that period of time, and even more if desired. It is equally common to leave cigars in the original tubes and wrappers, especially if they are cedar wrappers
Step 4. Rotate the cigars if you plan to store them for more than a month
To make sure the air doesn't get stale in your humidor, it's good practice to move cigars around every month or so. If you are a heavy smoker and often move cigars around because you smoke them or replace them with others, there is probably no need to schedule the rotation, but if you are a collector and aim for aging for a long time, it is best to move them.
In general, cigars should be stored flat, to promote air circulation. Don't stack them on top of each other. Keep them in a humidor with plenty of space
Step 5. Maintain the humidifier according to the weather
It is a good idea to check the hygrometer at least once a week to make sure the humidity levels are correct, and to change the fluid in the humidifier every couple of months, based on the climate in your locality.
- In particularly cold and dry climates, it is a good idea to change the humidifier fluid, or refill the pearls roughly every 3 months, and certainly every time you see the level of immersion. In more tropical climates, it is okay to change it every 9-12 months.
- It is a good idea to recalibrate the hygrometer once every six months by removing it from the humidor, placing it in the bag with the salt, and making sure it takes an accurate reading. Defective hygrometers are responsible for most storage errors.
