How to “season” a Humidor

Now that I’m in my 30’s, married, and stable, life becomes more about the little things that make me happy. Over the last few years, I have grown to enjoy a glass of single malt scotch and a fine cigar. I’m not talking every week, but every now and again I like to get my “grown man” on and act like the refined gentleman I aspire to be. So recently I decided to purchase a small humidor, and some nice cigars that I can readily enjoy, should the mood strike. When I got my humidor, I figured you just but the little gauge in the little hole, and throw the smokes in there. Fortunately I had a friend there to coach me through it, so I was able to properly season the humidor, and calibrate the hygrometer. After all the humidor is not just a place to store cigars, it’s a place that controls the humidity and retards the aging process of cigars.

You can purchase a humidor from almost anywhere, but I definitely recommend Cheap Humidors as a fast, friendly, and reliable online retailer, that also has a fine selection of cigars and cigar accessories.   Once you get the humidor of your choice, there is a step by step process that one must follow to get it to where it’s ready.  Below is just that:

Calibrating the Hygrometer

1. Step 1

   Place 1 teaspoon of salt into a small container, such as the top from a juice bottle.

2. Step 2

   Add 2 or 3 drops of water to the salt, being careful to only add enough water to make the salt damp, like wet sand.

3. Step 3

   Put your hygrometer into a zipper plastic bag or a plastic container with a lid.

4. Step 4

   Set the salt container in the plastic bag or plastic container with the hygrometer.

5. Step 5

   Seal the bag, making sure there’s some air inside.

   Charging the Humidor

6. Step 1

   Remove the hygrometer in approximately 6 to 8 hours to see if it has stabilized. The reading should be approximately 75 percent. If the hygrometer does not read 75 percent, turn the small screw on the back until the reading is correct.

7. Step 2

   Pour distilled water into the casing dish and then place it into the humidifier. Allow the distilled water to remain in the dish for approximately 1 minute.

8. Step 3

   Pour the distilled water out of the dish, and dry any excess liquid from the casing dish.

9. Step 4

   Lay the casing dish into the humidor.

10. Step 5

    Wipe down the inside of the humidor completely with distilled water. (Note: My friend says absolutely do not do this because it may warp the wood, preventing it to seal properly)

11. Step 6

    Let the entire humidor dry for several hours and repeat the wipe down process. This is done to re-humidify the inside of the humidor (which is made of wood) to keep the cigars fresh.

12. Step 7

    Make sure the wood is completely dry before filling the humidor with cigars.

Share