Once you are accustomed to your cigars, you may want to know the correct way of storing them. This is not really all that hard and there are some simple strategies which you can use if you are interested in having that perfect cigar last for weeks, or even months, for a special occasion.
Ideally, you should store your cigars in a environment of approximately 65°F with a relative humidity of around 70%. These two parameters are inversely dependent on each other and hence, if one goes down, the other should go up.
If you cannot afford to buy your own humidifier, there are ways to fashion out of available kitchen apparatus. The use of Tupperware and Ziploc bags are not unheard of. You can directly place your cigars in one of these boxes or bags and without airing it out, seal it and store for a couple of weeks.
However, if you truly want it to stay fresh, you should insert a humidifying agent inside this bag and box. For this, you can use either a sponge, moist paper, or anything that can get wet but is not scented within the bags, not touching the cigars. This sponge or moist paper should be wet and dried out such that it is moist, but not damp. Regularly check your homemade humidifier to ensure that your cigars are not getting moldy or are in contact directly with the moist substance.
The last resort would be to actually invest in a cigar storing device, if you can afford it. A cigar aficionado usually knows how to fasten one of his own.
Posts Tagged ‘humidors’
The Proper Way to Store a Cigar
Thursday, June 25th, 2009The Humidor
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Serious cigar lovers will know about the humidor. They will know the importance of storing the cigar in the right manner and the importance of protecting it from the elements. In fact, not everyone knows the importance of keeping the cigar protected and covered, unless they do so regularly.
The humidor comes in a variety of different sizes. In fact, you can even build one of your own. All you need is a Tupperware box or some good Ziploc bags. Inside these, you need to place the cigar along with a humidifying agent. The humidifying agent can be a sponge, a moist paper or something similar. You need to dry out the humidifying agent so that it doesn’t remain damp and cause mold formation on the cigars. Ideally, it should be slightly moist so that it can circulate well within the box and maintain the health of the cigars.
Commercial humidors come equipped to handle the cigars and do not need anything extra. These come in various sizes like cabinet, travel size, commercial display and even in the form of a gift box. The cabinet sized models are ideal for homes, and if you are a frequent traveler, then do consider buying yourself a travel size as well.
Humidors are known to protect cigars for a long period. In fact, some of them protect cigars well over years together at once. If money is a concern, you can buy a small wooden model that is available in desktop size as well.
Keeping Your Cigars In Perfect Condition
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
A well maintained cigar goes a long way in maintaining its exotic taste and flavor. In fact, you can store cigars for months together and still get the same great feeling when you smoke one you just brought from the cigar shop.
There are a couple of ways to keep your cigar in the perfect condition. In fact, you ought to keep it in its original packaging if you want it to remain fresh and are not planning on smoking it right away. Once you open the packaging, store the remaining cigars in a humidor, one that you can either build on your own or purchase from a store or online.
Having your very own humidor is not too expensive. In fact, if you really want to save on it, you can build one at home using the things readily available in your kitchen. This includes using either a Tupperware box or a Ziploc bag. You can place the cigars inside one of these containers along with a humidifying agent. The cigar should not be touching the humidifying agent, and ensure that the agent you choose is damp but not moist and is kept at a small distance from the cigar.
However, you can buy a humidor for as low as $17 online and should consider it if you are a regular cigar smoker. Not only will it work better than a homemade one, but it will also look great on your desk or wherever you decide to keep it.
Selecting a Humidor for your Cigars
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Cigar Humidor
With so many humidors available on the market it is important to choose the right one for your needs. A humidor is vital to your cigar collection as it can either preserve or ruin your prized possessions. Purchasing a humidor that is both efficient and in your price range is essential to building your cigar collection.
If you smoke a few cigars once in a while the best investment for you should be a basic cigar box humidor. These can typically hold up to 20 cigars and will preserve them for a good period of time. They are fairly inexpensive but a priceless investment.
If you’re planning on traveling in the near future you may want to consider purchasing a travel humidor. Travel humidors are similar to a box humidor except they are more compact and durable for travel.
If you’re a cigar collector you may want to consider buying a cigar cabinet humidor which can range in size and price. You can browse online for a wide selection that will fit in your interests and price range.
After you purchase your humidor be sure to understand the maintenance requirements and how to maintain the hygrometer calibration. If you fail to do so, your humidor may not last as long as it was intended.
No matter what type of humidor you’re purchasing always be sure that it is made from 100% Spanish cedar to ensure the best preserved and best tasting handmade cigars. Don’t settle for cheap imitations because they can’t compare. Always ask questions to the person selling you the humidor so that you are properly educated and informed.