Treat Your Cigars Well with a Quality Humidor
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Posted On :
Feb-23-2010
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Article Word Count :
870
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A cigar humidor is a container that is used to store and preserve cigars. They are often wooden boxes that come in various sizes based on the number of cigars they are designed to hold, from a handful to several hundred or more.
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A cigar humidor is a container that is used to store and preserve cigars. They are often wooden boxes that come in various sizes based on the number of cigars they are designed to hold, from a handful to several hundred or more. There are even travel size humidors that carry just three or four cigars.
Humidors are designed to maintain an ideal humidity level of 68 to 72 percent. This is done through a humidifying device that is usually placed under the lid of the box. One example is a tube shaped device that uses polyglycol crystals and distilled water. The moisture is released through tiny pores in the tube to preserve the cigars.
Humidity inside the typical home varies during the year as the seasons change. These humidity swings can have an adverse effect on cigars. Cigars that lose too much moisture also lose some of their taste. Humidity is measured in humidors with a device called a hygrometer. These gauges have varying levels of accuracy depending on the quality. Make sure you purchase a reliable hygrometer so you have the peace of mind of knowing your cigars are being stored properly.
The exterior of a humidor is usually made of a handsome dark wood; for the interior material Spanish cedar is a popular choice. The cedar adds a desirable flavor element to the cigars. High quality cedar will not crack as the box expands or contracts with temperature changes. Cigar enthusiasts take great pride in the quality of their humidors, and are willing to invest $100-$200 dollars or more to preserve and age their cigars. The finest humidors are even considered collectors’ items.
Aging Cigars in Your Humidor
Most well known cigar brands are aged for a period of time by the manufacturer. The amount of time varies quit a bit depending on the brand, and therefore many cigar enthusiasts age their cigars for an additional period of time—sometimes years—in their humidors. Aging improves the flavor; cigar smokers call this effect a “mellowing” of the taste. Just a few months of aging in a humidity controlled humidor can make a big difference in the taste. You must still purchase well made cigars, however. Aging cannot make inferior cigars taste like good ones.
Seasoning a Humidor
Prior to placing newly purchased cigars in a humidor, you must make sure the box is properly “seasoned.” This refers to a process of making sure the humidor is at the proper humidity before you entrust your valuable cigars to it. The cedar wood interior has to have a certain amount of moisture in it, or it will have the effect of working against your humidification device.
Placing a new kitchen sponge moistened with distilled water on a piece of plastic at the bottom of the box, and leaving it there for 3-4 days can help get the cedar wood to the desired moisture level. You can also wipe the inside—usually cedar wood—part of the box with a clean cloth or sponge moistened with distilled, not tap, water.
You then need to charge, meaning fill, the humidification device with either a humidifying liquid recommended by the manufacturer, or simply with distilled water. Make sure the device is not overfull, which could cause it to drip onto the wood. You may need to wipe off excess moisture from the surface of the device.
Now, you wait at least a day and then wipe the inside wood of the box a second time. The following day you may place your cigars in the humidifier, after testing the cedar wood to make sure it is not damp to the touch. The hygrometer reading should be at the higher end of the desired range after the second moisture treatment. When using a new hygrometer, make sure it has been calibrated, meaning tested for the accuracy of its readings.
Before placing the cigars in a humidor, cellophane wrap or other packing materials are removed from each one, so the moisture in the humidor can reach the surface of the cigar.
Where to Keep Your Humidor
Cigars should be kept at room temperature. Some cigar lovers prefer the 70/70 rule as being the ideal conditions, 70 degrees and 70 percent humidity. Others maintain a lower temperature, the low 60’s is better to reduce the incidence of mold. You do not want to place the humidor in a particularly damp part of the house, such as the basement. You also want to avoid letting direct sunlight reach the humidor, or placing it in a room where the temperature varies widely during the day.
Maintaining the Humidor
It is advisable to check the hygrometer reading every few weeks to see if the humidifying device needs to be recharged with distilled water or humidifying solution. During the winter months, or in dry, desert climates, the readings may need to be taken more often.
Treating cigars properly in a humidor is an important step that can enhance the flavor and overall smoking experience. Keep these simple guidelines in mind to care for your next cigar purchase.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Treat Your Cigars Well with a Quality Humidor_11635.aspx
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Author Resource :
Meggan Werkheiser is a freelance writer who writes about luxury items such cigars.
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Keywords :
Cigars,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Hobbies
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