Tips, Tricks & Information
Humidors
Hygrometer Calibration Steps
Calibrate analog and digital hygrometers.
- Remove rubber grommet
- Fill a standard sized bottle cap with salt and distilled water, mix until toothpaste texture.
- 8-12 hours the hygrometer should read 75% RH
If not:
Analog - adjust the screw in the back with a small screwdriver.
- Replace grommet when finished.
Digital - press and hold the calibrate button until device reads 75% RH.
Humidor Seasoning Steps
Method 1:
Fill humidifier with distilled water
- Let soak for 10-15 minutes
- Flip upside down to drain excess
Activate 84% Boveda
Close the humidifier and Boveda into humidor for 3-5 days.
Method 2:
Fill humidifier with distilled water
- Let soak for 10-15 minutes
- Flip upside down to drain excess
Wet a new, unused sponge with distilled water
- Use a clean Tupperware to put soaked sponge into humidor
Close the humidifier and Tupperware into humidor for 3-5 days.
Humidor should read high, around 85% RH.
General Humidor Maintenance & Care
Rotate Cigars.
Rotate the cigars every 2-3 weeks, move the top to the bottom, and the bottom to the top. This prevents the cigars closest to the humidification source from absorbing too much and becoming over-saturated.
Don't Overfill.
For the best environment possible, only use 75-80% of the humidor's total capacity in order to ensure the air and humidity can circulate.
Humidor Loosing Humidity
Cleaning Humidor Mold
1 - Is your hygrometer reliable? Has it been calibrated?
2 - Does your humidor have a leak?
3 - Has your humidor been seasoned properly before general use?
4 - Ensure you don't leave the lid open unnecessarily.
5 - Has regular maintenance been done?
6 - Is the humidor's location suitable? Exposure to sun and heat will evaporate the humidity.
7 - How many cigars are being stored in the humidor?
8 - Were there any dried out cigars added? Dried out cigars will soak in more humidity and throw off the overall level of the humidor.
1 - Remove all cigars.
2 - Discard moldy cigars. Place any mold free cigars in an air-tight container with a Boveda pack.
3 - Discard humidification device and replace it. Doing this ensures the bacteria creating the mold is not being put back into the humidor.
4 - Thoroughly vacuum the humidor.
5 - Gently sand the interior where the mold has grown using #150 extra-fine grit. Wooden humidors have a thin wall of cedar, be careful not to sand too deep. If the mold is deep into the cedar layer, replacing the humidor may be a better option. Vacuum the humidor again when finished.
6 - Sterilize the interior with isopropyl alcohol, use just enough to wet the surface. The alcohol will kill any mold spores.
7 - Wipe down the interior again with 100% steamed distilled water, this will remove any alcohol that got trapped in the crevasses. Leave the humidor open for a couple days to fully dry.
8 - Re-season the humidor, following all steps as if the humidor was brand new.
9 - Once 70% RH is reached, wait a minimum of 2 weeks and monitor the humidor for any signs of mold growth.
10 - If the mold does not come back, return cigars to the humidor. It's a safer idea to put a fresh batch of cigars in the humidor, any cigars saved from the mold should be kept isolated to not reintroduce mold bacteria to the humidor.
Boveda vs Glycol
- Virtually effortless humidification system.
- Expels humidity at a specific predetermined level.
- 2 way system: Absorbs and releases humidity to meet the predetermined RH.
- When the pouch is solid, replace it.
- Can be used in a variety of humidifiers: foam based or crystal based.
- Suggested option for crystal based humidification units, distilled water can lead to over-humidification.
- Works to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
- Mix with distilled water to provide the correct RH.
Boveda RH Guide
RH - Relative Humidity
62% - Benefits long-term aging, results in firm cigars.
65% - Best for long-term aging, results in slightly firmer cigars.
69% - Most popular, keeps cigars fresh.
72% - Compensates for moisture loss in traditional wooden humidors.
75% - Keeps cigars extra soft and combats less reliable seals.
84% - Only for seasoning a new humidor.
Humidor Capacity to Boveda Needs
300 | 12 - 60g or 2 - 320g |
250 | 10 - 60g or 2 - 320g |
200 | 8 - 60g or 2 - 320g |
150 | 6 - 60g or 1 - 320g |
125 | 5 - 60g or 1 - 320g |
100 | 4 - 60g or 1 - 320g |
75 | 3 - 60g or 1 - 320g |
50 | 2 - 60g or 1 - 320g |
25 | 1 - 60g or 1 - 320g |