Humidifiers for cigar storage
“It says nothing lasts forever. But still, some things can be prolonged…. like the quality of cigars.”
The key to good cigar storage is to use a quality evaporative humidifier. Prolonged cigar storage relies on consistent levels of air humidity. Humidification does not only influence the quality of a cigar, it also has a pecuniary aspect. One buys and/or builds a stock usually when the favourite brand is on sale.
Cigars should be stored at approximately 70% air humidity and a temperature of 20C. A cigar that is too dry gets hot while smoking, it burns fast and unevenly while another that is too wet creates difficulties when it is being lit, and even more with a puff. In any case you will not have the smoking pleasure you deserve!
Tobacco is a hydrophilic (water-friendly) material; i.e. it can absorb and dispose of humidity. Cigars come from very hot and humid climates, so in a European environment it is necessary to add humidity. This means that cigars, which are stored at constant air humidity, maintain their quality and value.
The right air humidity has the same importance for the quality level of a cigar as for example, the tobacco itself or the rolling. Too low air humidity makes a cigar brittle and dry. The consequence is that the cover leaf will tear off, the cigar will burn too fast and the taste materials are not really developing, a constant air humidity of approximately 70% is important for a cigar.
When choosing a humidification system it is especially important that it works with the evaporation principle, such a system creates evaporation for the largest possible humid surface. The humidity is dispersed into the air, and parts of it such as minerals or calcareous deposits stay in the surface medium. This avoids dust and minerals contamination on the cigars which can be seen with ultrasonic type humidifiers.
The circulation of humidity is important for the storage of cigars. Because all cigars should be humidified evenly, it is important to make sure that there is air circulation with a ventilator especially in storage boards or rooms. To create 70% air humidity, a large enough humidification surface should be available. The larger the filters surface, the higher the evaporation performance.
The water tank of an air humidifier should have such dimensions that it has to be refilled not more often than once week. The humidification system should be equipped with a humidistat to keep the air humidity controlled on a constant level.
The best type of humidifier for a professional humidor is the Brune B500 which can be either manual of auto fill, it comes with UV and limescale protection and a wireless humidity sensor, the Brune B500 is available through Air Comfort Centre Ltd and you can purchase and read more about it and other types of humidifiers by clicking HERE