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How to Use a Rumidor Humidor

Patented in 1927, the Rumidor Humidor was an art deco, cookie-jar type humidor that broke from the conventional boxy design of humidors and went against Prohibition laws in the U.S. According to Richard Zucker, the inventor who sold the designs to Rumidor Corporation, a 12-year-old "solid rum" insert in the lid maintained proper humidity for cigars. Antique dealers still speculate over what "solid rum" meant, and wonder whether the absorbent material was a ruse for a hidden decanter of 12-year-old rum. If you've acquired a Rumidor Humidor, Richard Zucker's drawings and patent description map out how it should function.

Things You'll Need

Cigars
Solidified rum
Moistening agent

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the handle from the lid, and replace the moistening agent in the handle. As the New Jersey company that manufactured the 12-year-old solid rum insert no longer exists, you can use a moist sponge as the moistening agent.
- 2
  Insert the handle into the lid and twist into the open position. You can can adjust the amount of moisture in the humidor by turning the handle.
- 3
  Place each cigar in one of the metal cigar holders included with the humidor. Each cigar holder, perforated with venting holes, rests in a felt-lined receptacle of the humidor. The moisture from the "solid rum" insert vents into the humidor and maintains an ideal moisture for your cigars.
- 4
  Protect the humidor with a gentle copper polish. Copper was commonly used in the manufacture of the Rumidor Humidor. If your humidor has copper overlay, polish it to protect from oxidation.

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