Pick the right humidor for your needs

Wooden desktop humidors look classic and add Spanish cedar aroma, but they demand more care and an airtight seal. Acrylic boxes (and “tupperdors”) are inexpensive, seal exceptionally well, and are beginner-friendly; add a cedar tray/dividers for aroma and humidity buffering. If you plan to grow beyond 50 cigars, consider a wineador (wine cooler converted for cigars) or termoelectric humidor for stable temperature.

Rule of thumb: buy 50–100% larger capacity than you think you need; a humidor performs best when it isn’t crammed to the lid.

Target conditions (and why 70/70 isn’t a law)

The old “70°F and 70% RH” guideline works, but many aficionados prefer 65–69% RH to reduce burn issues and mold risk. Temperature matters as much as humidity: aim for 18–21°C (64–70°F); avoid >25°C (77°F) to minimize tobacco beetle risk. In UK homes, seasonal swings happen—so buffer with good seals and consistent humidification.

Calibrate your hygrometer first

Before you season anything, make sure your readings are trustworthy.

Boveda Calibration Kit: Place the hygrometer in the sealed bag for 24 hours; it should read 75% RH. Note the offset if it doesn’t.
Salt test (DIY): A cap of table salt moistened with distilled water inside a sealed bag or tub should stabilizes at ~75% RH after 24 hours; adjust by the difference. To be sure I would suggest 36 hours.

Seasoning a new wooden humidor (do this once)

Seasoning lets the cedar absorb moisture so your cigars don’t. I would suggest two methods:

Passive seasoning (preferred, low risk):
1. Place 84% Boveda humidity pack inside the empty humidor, and close the lid.
2. Wait 3–5 days (some might take up to 1–2 weeks for thicker boxes), check and replace the humidity pack if they are dry.
3. When the interior stabilizes near your target - 84% RH, replace the 84% with desireble humidity pack (65-72%) in, and load a small test batch of cigars.
Propylene Glycol (PG) solution + device method: If you use foam or gel-based devices, “charge” them with a 50/50 propylene glycol (PG) and distilled water solution, then run the closed humidor for 3–5 days before adding cigars. PG helps cap RH around 70% in classic devices. Avoid mixing multiple device types at once.

Never wipe cedar walls with soaking cloths—the risk of warping or raised grain is real. Slow and steady wins.

Acrylic/tupperdor note: No seasoning required; just add your humidity control, let it stabilize, then load.

Choose a humidification system (and stick to one)

Modern two-way humidity packs (e.g., 65/69/72%) are simple and consistent—great for desktops and travel cases. Most smokers in temperate climates prefer 69% for wood or acrylic; go lower (65–67%) if your cigars feel spongy. Traditional options (foam, gels, beads) work if you maintain them with distilled water (or PG solution for foam), but they require more vigilance. Don’t run multiple systems with different set-points in the same box—they fight each other.

Loading and organizing your cigars

Start with only a portion of your stash to confirm stability; once RH holds for a week with cigars inside, fill to ~50–75% capacity. Use cedar dividers to separate wrappers (oily maduros away from delicate Connecticuts). Store boxes unwrapped (cellophane can stay on sticks if you like; it slightly slows moisture exchange). Rotate cigars every month or two so nothing hugs a wet or dry corner forever. (Community best practice across forums.)

DO NOT STORE FLAVOURED CIGARS WITH NON-FLAVOURED IN THE SAME HUMIDOR!!!

Daily/weekly habits that keep a humidor healthy

Place the humidor wisely: Avoid radiators, sunny windows, and drafts; ambient heat wrecks stability.
Open with intention: Frequent, long openings dump RH; grab what you need and close.
Spot-check feel and burn: A well-conditioned cigar feels springy, not crunchy or mushy, and burns evenly. If you see canoeing or tight draws across different brands, your RH may be off.
Log readings: A quick note of RH/temperature each week helps you catch seasonal shifts early.

Troubleshooting

a) It won’t hold humidity

Check the seal: Close a slip of paper in the lid; if it pulls out easily all around, the seal may be weak. Keep the box in a steadier room or consider an acrylic alternative.
Add mass and cedar: More cigars and cedar dividers increase buffering.
Verify device capacity: Too few or exhausted packs won’t keep up; size your humidification for the liter volume of your humidor.

b) It’s too wet (RH > 72%)

Remove one humidity pack/device or step down RH rating (e.g., 72→69 or 69→65).
Air out briefly once a day until you’re back in range.
Keep temperature in check; warm air holds more moisture and can tip you into mold territory.

c) It’s too dry (RH < 62–63%)

Add capacity (more/larger packs) and confirm the seal.
Consider a temporary tupperdor with 65–69% packs while the wooden box re-equilibrates.

d) Mold vs. plume (bloom)
This is the internet’s most heated humidor debate. Practical approach: assume mold until proven otherwise. Mold can appear in spots, green/blue/grey, can be fuzzy, and can root into the wrapper; “plume” (bloom) is described as a fine, dust-like crystalline sheen that brushes off cleanly (you will need decades to find crystalized dust). Over-humidification encourages mold—keep RH in the mid-60s to reduce risk. When in doubt, isolate the cigar and ask a trusted tobacconist. Many modern experts argue most “plume” sightings are misidentified mold—so err on caution.

Seasonal adjustments (UK homes especially)

Central heating dries air in winter, while summer warmth elevates RH and beetle risk. In winter, your humidor may “drink” more—packs and reservoirs empty faster; in summer, step down to 65–69% RH targets and watch temperature. If your room regularly exceeds 21–22°C, a wineador or a cooler spot in the house helps.

Cleaning and long-term care

Routine: Wipe dust with a dry, lint-free cloth. Do not wet cedar walls.
Mold event: Immediately remove unaffected cigars to a clean container with fresh packs. Light surface bloom that brushes off cleanly is one thing; visible fuzz or colored spots call for disposal and a careful dry-out of the box. Once dry and odor-free, re-season slowly.
Device maintenance: Re-charge gels/foams strictly per instructions; with packs, replace when they harden or can’t maintain set-point. Don’t mix old, exhausted packs with fresh ones.

Quick setup checklist (save this)

Calibrate hygrometer (Boveda kit or salt test, 24–36h).
Season: wood = 3–5 days (or until stable); acrylic = none.
Choose one humidification method; start at 65–69% RH.
Load part of your stash; watch RH/°C for a week.
Rotate cigars monthly; adjust with seasons.

Final tip

Consistency beats perfection. A steady 66–68% at 20°C with a reliable seal and single, right-sized humidification method will keep your cigars happy for years—with far less drama than chasing an exact 70/70.

How to Use and Maintain a Cigar Humidor