How To Increase The Humidity In A Humidor

How to Increase Humidity in a Humidor: A Comprehensive Guide

Maintaining the perfect humidity level in your humidor is crucial for preserving the quality and flavor of your cigars. A humidor that's too dry will cause your cigars to dry out, crack, and lose their delicious aromas. This guide will walk you through various methods to increase the humidity in your humidor, ensuring your prized cigars remain in top condition.

Understanding Humidor Humidity

Before diving into solutions, it's essential to understand the ideal humidity range for cigar storage: 65-72%. Anything below this range risks drying out your cigars, while excessive humidity (above 75%) can lead to mold and mildew growth. Using a reliable hygrometer is key to accurately monitoring your humidor's humidity levels.

Methods to Increase Humidor Humidity

There are several effective ways to increase the humidity inside your humidor:

1. Using a Humidifier

• Boveda Packs: These are self-regulating humidity packs that maintain a consistent humidity level within a specific range. They are a popular and convenient choice for humidor maintenance. Simply place the appropriate size Boveda pack (based on your humidor size) inside. No need for refills or adjustments, making them exceptionally user-friendly.

• Humidor Beads/Crystals: These are reusable humidity control solutions. You’ll need to distill water these to recharge them and restore their humidity-controlling properties. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully for best results. They provide a reliable way to increase and maintain humidity, but require more attention than Boveda packs.

• Humidification Solutions: Some humidors come with built-in humidifiers, or you can purchase external ones. These often require regular filling with distilled water to maintain humidity. Ensure you use distilled water to avoid mineral deposits that can damage your cigars.

2. The Water Tray Method (Less Recommended)

While a water tray can add humidity, it's generally not the most reliable method. It's difficult to accurately control the humidity level, and it's prone to evaporation and requires frequent monitoring and refilling. It also increases the risk of mold if not carefully managed.

3. Acclimation is Key

Before adding new cigars to your humidor, it's crucial to acclimate them. This prevents rapid humidity changes that can damage your cigars. Place the cigars in a separate container with a damp towel for a few days before transferring them to the humidor.

Maintaining Optimal Humidity

Once you've increased the humidity to the desired level, consistent monitoring is key. Regularly check your hygrometer and adjust your humidity control method as needed. Remember to replace your Boveda packs as needed (according to the manufacturer's instructions), and recharge your beads/crystals when they become dry.

Troubleshooting Low Humidity

If you're struggling to maintain the right humidity, consider these factors:

• Hygrometer Calibration: An inaccurate hygrometer can lead to incorrect readings and improper humidity control. Calibrate your hygrometer regularly to ensure accurate readings.
• Humidor Seal: A poorly sealed humidor will lose humidity faster. Ensure your humidor's seal is airtight.
• Environmental Conditions: Extreme temperature fluctuations in your environment can impact humidor humidity.

By following these tips and choosing the right humidity control method for your humidor, you can ensure your cigars are stored properly and remain in perfect smoking condition. Remember, maintaining the ideal humidity is an ongoing process, so regular monitoring and maintenance are essential.