I have a few (25) cigars on the way and I don't have a humidor. I should get a cheap one anyway, but since I don't have one now what should I do with the cigars until I can get one? Some people say put them in the fridge, some say put them in a tupperware container with a humidifying card. What do the experts say? Thanks for your time gentlemen. Simp
What to do if you don't have a humidor?...
- Thread starter Simp
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Do not put them in the fridge. If you put them in a tupperware container, beware of the fact that humidity can build up very quickly and to extreme levels in such a container, because there is an airtight seal, and no porosity in such a container. I would recommend buying a digital hygrometer at a Radio Shack or some such other place, perhaps an on-line cigar site. A decent one can be had starting at about $25.
For as long as you keep these cigars in a tupperware container, don't forget to open it up to check the humidity level and allow for air exchange as often is necessary. If your humidity level is fortunate enough to stay at 65-70%, then you won't have to open it that often. Also, after purchasing your digital hygrometer, you must do "the hygrometer salt test" to "calibrate" your hygrometer. Most such hygrometers are accurate to within 0-4 points. For instructions on how to perform this test, do a google search for "hygrometer salt test." And don't forget, no matter what the instructions say, use a DOUBLE bag, not one, in other words, put the plastic bag that contains the hygrometer and salt solution in another bag in order to avoid possible tiny breaks in the first bag from allowing air in and messing up your test.
Let us know how things go.
For as long as you keep these cigars in a tupperware container, don't forget to open it up to check the humidity level and allow for air exchange as often is necessary. If your humidity level is fortunate enough to stay at 65-70%, then you won't have to open it that often. Also, after purchasing your digital hygrometer, you must do "the hygrometer salt test" to "calibrate" your hygrometer. Most such hygrometers are accurate to within 0-4 points. For instructions on how to perform this test, do a google search for "hygrometer salt test." And don't forget, no matter what the instructions say, use a DOUBLE bag, not one, in other words, put the plastic bag that contains the hygrometer and salt solution in another bag in order to avoid possible tiny breaks in the first bag from allowing air in and messing up your test.
Let us know how things go.
Thanks for the quick response sir! How about one of those cheap humidors? You know, the $50 ones that sometimes come with 25 cigars. I'm sure the cigars are probably not that great but what about the humidor? I'm sure it's probably better than a tupperware container right? Simp
Yes, those cheap humidors are in fact quite good, sometimes just as good or better than ones costing hundreds of dollars. It's very hard to go wrong with even a cheap humidor, as long as it's cedar lined and doesn't have a hole in it. :mrgreen:
You will still need a digital hygrometer though. If they give you the option to order one with the humidor, go for it, because the analog hygrometers that come with most humidors might look attractive, but they are terrible at giving accurate readings.
You will still need a digital hygrometer though. If they give you the option to order one with the humidor, go for it, because the analog hygrometers that come with most humidors might look attractive, but they are terrible at giving accurate readings.
Again, thank you Sir for your quick response! I'll definitely get one of those small box humidors. One more question though (yeah, right!) I am under the impression that in order to keep the humidity level at ideal, all that is needed to be done is add distilled water. When the level starts to decline, add more water. Is this correct?
Yeah. Sometimes some of us have these protracted discussions about whether or not to use Propylene Glycol to "condition" our humidifiers, but I have only used distilled water on mine (I have four desk tops) through the years, and with fine results. Basic instructions will come with any humidor you buy, and you can always come here for more information.
Another web site I can heartily recommend for really hard core knowledge of the wonderful world of cigars is cigarwise.com. A bunch of my friends are over there, all good people and who REALLY know their stuff concerning cigars. It might get a bit rough at times, but they're really all good folk.
Another web site I can heartily recommend for really hard core knowledge of the wonderful world of cigars is cigarwise.com. A bunch of my friends are over there, all good people and who REALLY know their stuff concerning cigars. It might get a bit rough at times, but they're really all good folk.
Welcome to cigars!
About humidors. My first one was from Thompsons. One of those promo deals, where the cigars were crap, but the humidor was ok.
You will need to get some Propylene Glycol or "PG" The best place to get this is from a pharmacy. Usually a pint will be about $9.00, and will last you many years. Secindly some "floral foam" this can be had from a crafts store $3.00. You need the kind that absorbs water. Third a digital hygrometer, although a analog is cheaper they aren't as accurate. Try this place http://www.cigarbid.com
Make your solution at 50/50 to start, cut a small square of foam 2"X2"X1/2" place this in a plastic dish (travel soap holder works great)
This should put you at 70%, add or subtract the floral foam as needed. Less PG gives you more humidity, more PG gives less.
PG is pretty cool stuff. It has the properties that will add humidity to the air when needed and absorb as needed...depending on the size of foam.
As you progress with cigars you'll find that 70% is a bit much humidity and will want to drop to about 67%. I find that this is the ideal for my cubans. This winter you'll need to keep an eye on humidity levels, as most homes "dry" out, and the opposite occurs in summer.
Even though I started out with a promo 25 ct desktop humidor I now have a 300 ct desktop, 2 cooleradors and a dry box...
Enjoy!
About humidors. My first one was from Thompsons. One of those promo deals, where the cigars were crap, but the humidor was ok.
You will need to get some Propylene Glycol or "PG" The best place to get this is from a pharmacy. Usually a pint will be about $9.00, and will last you many years. Secindly some "floral foam" this can be had from a crafts store $3.00. You need the kind that absorbs water. Third a digital hygrometer, although a analog is cheaper they aren't as accurate. Try this place http://www.cigarbid.com
Make your solution at 50/50 to start, cut a small square of foam 2"X2"X1/2" place this in a plastic dish (travel soap holder works great)
This should put you at 70%, add or subtract the floral foam as needed. Less PG gives you more humidity, more PG gives less.
PG is pretty cool stuff. It has the properties that will add humidity to the air when needed and absorb as needed...depending on the size of foam.
As you progress with cigars you'll find that 70% is a bit much humidity and will want to drop to about 67%. I find that this is the ideal for my cubans. This winter you'll need to keep an eye on humidity levels, as most homes "dry" out, and the opposite occurs in summer.
Even though I started out with a promo 25 ct desktop humidor I now have a 300 ct desktop, 2 cooleradors and a dry box...
Enjoy!
On second thought...PM me with details. It's better to have and not need than to need and not have. Simp
Dashed off another PM.
By the way, buy a humidor about twice the size you think you'll need. Trust me on this...
By the way, buy a humidor about twice the size you think you'll need. Trust me on this...
Bloofington said:
Bloof,
Things have really changed since the days of Ca.
They gave the keys of the asylum to the inmates and
everything is much nicer.
I kid you not!
Loren
I know, and I'm glad for them. They've got a truly no holds barred hard core cigar web site. It's like Sly and The Family Stone over there. Thankyoufalettinmebemiceelfagin.
How about if you have one cigar that you want to store until, say next week?
I was given a good cigar on Saturday and would like to keep it until next monday (8 days or so). I do not smoke often enough to justify a purchase of a humidor.
What's the best way to store it?
TIA,
I was given a good cigar on Saturday and would like to keep it until next monday (8 days or so). I do not smoke often enough to justify a purchase of a humidor.
What's the best way to store it?
TIA,
If I wanted to keep one cigar for a week.
I would put it onto a small tupperware container.
I'd put a small peice of damp paper towel into a ziplock baggie aso the cigar can't get wet.
Keep it in a cool dark place.
Also there are Humida-bags made by the Fuente's.
Has a small package in the bag that will keep the RH right.
I think they are $5 or so.
It will keep a few cigars for 6 months.
They also make a big one that you can put an entire box into.
The big ones are $15 or so dollars.
They work very well.
The big ones have a habit of ripping along the zipper so be careful with them.
Hope this helps!
CC
I would put it onto a small tupperware container.
I'd put a small peice of damp paper towel into a ziplock baggie aso the cigar can't get wet.
Keep it in a cool dark place.
Also there are Humida-bags made by the Fuente's.
Has a small package in the bag that will keep the RH right.
I think they are $5 or so.
It will keep a few cigars for 6 months.
They also make a big one that you can put an entire box into.
The big ones are $15 or so dollars.
They work very well.
The big ones have a habit of ripping along the zipper so be careful with them.
Hope this helps!
CC
b540glenn said:
Here is something that I do when I send cigars to Arizona or New Mexico in the summer months.
Take a half of a paper towel, wet it, wring it out so that its mildly damp. fold the towel up and put it in a quart sized baggie. Tkae your cigar and put it in another baggie, but dont seal it. Place the bag with the cigar inside of the bag with the paper towel and seal that bag...should do you fine for a week or so. When you get ready to smoke it, take the bag with the stick out of the bag with the towel a day before you plan on smoking and let it air out.