How to Operate a Humidor

Starting a Humidor

• 1

  Wipe the inside clean of any dust or debris. Use a soft cloth or brush to make sure the interior is free of any contamination.

• 2

  Dampen the cedar on the interior. Any exposed cedar wood on the interior should be wiped with a cloth dampened with distilled water. Cedar can dry out during storage and shipment, and you want to make sure it will not suck all the moisture out of the storage space when you put your cigars inside.

• 3

  Place a glass or bowl of distilled water in the humidor and close the humidor. Leave this in the humidor for about three days to fully humidify the interior. This conditions the interior surfaces in preparation for storing cigars.

• 4

  Fill your humidifier with distilled water. Typical humidifiers are sponge-type or polymer gel. Some humidifiers require special solutions. Follow manufacturer's instruction for filling these humidifiers.

• 5

  Place the humidifier and hygrometer into the humidor. Close the humidor and allow it to reach the desired humidity, usually around 70 percent.

Maintenance

• 6

  Refill the humidifier with distilled water when the hygrometer goes below 65 percent. Wipe any spilled water off interior surfaces to prevent warping or mold.

• 7

  Remove white mold with a dry cloth. White mold is a normal result of the aging or storage of cigars and does not affect their taste.

• 8

  Remove dark mold. Dark colored mold is a result of rotting and cigars with dark mold should be removed. The humidor should be emptied and cleaned with a cloth dampened with warm water.

• 9

  Disinfect the empty humidor by placing it in full sunlight for a few hours, then re-start the humidor.

• 10

  Air out the humidor at least once every two weeks. Open the humidor for a few minutes to allow fresh air to enter.