Humidor Techniques
The humidor can be a box or room that is used to store cigars, cigarettes and pipe tobacco. Most individuals who smoke use small boxes made of wood or acrylic glass to store their cigars or cigarettes. A hygrometer is used to track humidity levels that should ideally be at 65-75% relative humidity. Most boxes are made from wood board and have an interior veneer of Spanish cedar wood or even mahogany. If you are interested in knowing about the humidor you should read this article.
The Spanish cedar wood has some very desirable characteristics that make it aptly suitable as an interior veneer for the boxes.
* It can retain more moisture than most woods and hence maintain humidity levels.
* The cigars if stored long enough imbibe the aroma of the wood, which is why the cigars are wrapped in Spanish cedar sheets before being sold.
* The wood helps to repel the tobacco beetles, which despite being no bigger than a pin head in size do untold damage to the entire lot of cigars in the box.
* The wood does not warm at high humidity levels.
The maintenance process you will need to follow is detailed below:
* Season the humidor after you buy it b wiping down the interior with a moist cloth to remove dust and dirt particles. This is a way to season the box faster though you will find people who disagree with the use of water.
* Place a small container of water in the box and leave it in there with the lid closed for at least 12 hours. If the water has evaporated replenish the bowl and leave it for another 24 hours. Alternatively you can use wet sponges placed on double plastic wrap that is laid on the base of the box. The sponges should be soaked in distilled water and wrung out prior to being placed inside the box.
* When the water stops evaporating you can store your cigars inside.
This procedure has the effect of moistening the humidor, which in turn keeps the cigars moist. It is recommended that you use distilled water for its lack of bacteria and minerals. You will need to get a device to maintain the consistency of the humidity because bacteria and mould build up can ruin your cigars. A humidifier charged with propylene glycol and deionized water solution is recommended and should be recharged at regular intervals depending on the size of the box, humidity readings and manufacturer’s instructions.
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