You’ve just unpacked a new humidor. Maybe it’s a sleek little desktop humidor, or maybe it’s that big cabinet you’ve been eyeing for months. Either way, the excitement is real. You can already picture your collection resting inside, waiting for those nights when only a fine cigar will do.
But here’s the truth: a cigar humidor isn’t just a fancy wooden box with a lid. It’s a carefully controlled environment where humidity level, ideal temperature, and wood’s natural properties all work together to keep your cigars alive and evolving. Skip the prep, and you risk cracked wrappers, uneven burns, or cigars that just don’t smoke right.
The good news? Setting it up isn’t rocket science. With a little patience and the right steps, you’ll season the humidor properly, prepare the humidifier, and add cigars with confidence, giving your sticks the home they deserve.
Cigars are living, breathing creations, hand-rolled, packed with care, and often resting in Spanish cedar before they ever reach you. They’re designed to evolve over time, but only if you give them the right environment.
A humidor is one of the most essential cigar accessories you can buy, but remember, without setting it up correctly, you're sure to fall short. Without the right storage, they lose essential oils, aromas, and character. Too little moisture? Wrappers crack and burn hot. Too much? Cigars turn spongy, tough to light, and unpleasant to draw.
Think of it like storing wine. You wouldn’t leave a fine bottle in direct sunlight or next to the stove. The same goes for storing cigars. A properly seasoned humidor balances moisture to keep cigars plump, flavorful, and smoke-ready.
We’ve all seen it happen: someone buys a new humidor, skips seasoning, loads it with cigars, and a few weeks later, they’re wondering why every stick tastes off. It’s not bad luck, it’s poor prep.
Before you season a humidor, it helps to gather the right tools so the setup goes smoothly. Distilled water is your first must-have; it adds moisture without leaving behind minerals that can damage your cigars or the wooden humidor itself. Many cigar enthusiasts also keep a propylene glycol (PG) solution on hand, since it stabilizes humidity and keeps mold from creeping into the humidification device.
Boveda seasoning packs make the process even easier. They’re designed to season a humidor and then maintain long-term humidity without much guesswork. Standard Boveda humidity packs also work well for ongoing storage once your humidor is up and running.
You’ll also want a damp cloth or sponge to lightly moisten the interior wood, plus a paper towel or clean rag to wipe away any excess water or solution. At this stage, make sure your humidification device is ready, whether you’re using a basic circular humidifier, a humidor bag, or a more advanced electronic humidifier.
Don’t forget your hygrometer. A calibrated hygrometer, whether digital or analog, is the only way to accurately monitor relative humidity. Some people even use a plastic bag as part of a controlled seasoning method, though it’s more of a “bonus trick” than a necessity.
And here’s a quick cautionary tale: plenty of collectors have skipped prepping their humidor, figuring it would be fine. Ultimately, their cigars dried out and lost their character. Don’t be that person. Taking the time to season properly now saves frustration and headaches later.
Not every humidor is built the same, and choosing the right one depends on how you plan to enjoy cigars. A desktop cigar humidor is a classic choice for everyday smokers, often holding anywhere from 25 to 50 sticks.
Cabinet humidors, on the other hand, are built for serious collectors and can store hundreds, sometimes thousands, of cigars in a single elegant setup. Travel humidors are designed for short trips, keeping a few cigars protected on the road, though they need more frequent monitoring because of shifting environments.
Even budget-friendly options like a Tupperdor or Coolidor can perform surprisingly well if you season and monitor them properly. At the heart of every humidor, whether luxury cabinet or a makeshift plastic bin, is the wood lining, most often Spanish cedar, which regulates humidity and imparts a subtle, traditional aroma.
Personal preference also plays a role. Some cigar enthusiasts love glass-top humidors, which let them admire their collection without opening the lid. Others avoid glass, preferring the tighter seals that solid-wood lids usually provide. Both work well if the humidor is seasoned and maintained with care and made with quality construction.
Seasoning is the foundation of every humidor worth its cedar. Skip it, and your cigars will likely pay the price. The Spanish cedar lining inside most humidors is highly absorbent. Without preconditioning, it will pull moisture from your cigars rather than protecting them.
To season, lightly wipe down the interior with a damp cloth or sponge soaked in distilled water. Some enthusiasts prefer the “slow soak” method: place a small dish of distilled water inside your empty wooden humidor and leave it undisturbed for 24 to 48 hours. The cedar gradually absorbs moisture, establishing a stable environment. Patience is key; rushing this step risks uneven humidity levels and potential damage to your cigars.
We’ve all been there, excitedly filling a new humidor on day one, only to discover that the cedar sucked moisture from the cigars like a sponge. Lesson learned: seasoning first saves headaches later.
Next comes the heartbeat of your humidor: the humidifier. Using old-school foam? Give it a soak in distilled water or a PG solution, but don’t drown it. Too much water means mold and mess, not moisture. Just remember: don’t overfill, or excess solution will drip everywhere. You may need to re-soak every few weeks to keep it working properly.
For simplicity, many turn to new Boveda packs. These maintain the desired RH automatically by both absorbing and releasing humidity. The trick is knowing how many Boveda packs you'll need. A handy chart from Boveda recommends one pack per 25 cigars for optimal results.
Electronic humidifiers are another level altogether. These units emit moisture precisely when needed, reducing human error. It’s the Cadillac of humidification, but like any system, it still relies on a properly prepared humidor.
With your humidor seasoned and humidifier ready, monitoring is where consistency lives. Your hygrometer should be calibrated, and you’ll want to check hygrometer readings regularly, especially in the first weeks.
Aim for 65–72% humidity, with the correct temperature hovering near 70°F. That “70/70 rule” is popular for a reason; it keeps cigars plump, flavorful, and consistent. This stability is what protects your cigars’ oils, flavors, and burn quality. Think of it like cruise control for your humidor, smooth and steady wins the race.
We once met a collector who obsessively checked his hygrometer every hour. While admirable, the truth is that if your setup is right, you don’t need to stress every fluctuation. Humidors breathe a little; it’s normal.
Finally, the best part, you get to add cigars. Don’t overstuff, though. Cigars need airflow to keep the moisture level even. Organize by cigar brand, size, or however you like, but leave some space.
Avoid opening and closing the lid constantly in the first few days. Let your cigars settle, and keep the lid sealed so the environment stabilizes.
Every so often, rotate your cigars. This keeps humidity balanced across the box and avoids the classic “one corner dries out, the other gets soggy” scenario.
A humidor isn’t totally a set-it-and-forget-it scenario. Keep an eye on your hygrometer, refresh your humidifier or re-soak foam when needed, and replace or add distilled water if required. For Boveda, swap in fresh packs when the old ones stiffen up like a cracker.
Regularly inspect the seal. If you notice humidity dropping too quickly, you may need to adjust or find a humidor with a better seal.
Most importantly, light up. After all, the point of a perfect humidor isn’t babysitting cigars, it’s enjoying them at their best. After all, all this work is about smoking cigars, not just babysitting them.
Most problems come from rushing the preparation process. Don’t skip seasoning, don’t use tap water, don’t drown the cedar with excess water, and don’t overcrowd.
And don’t panic every time the hygrometer shifts a percent or two. Humidors breathe a little; it’s normal. Humidity naturally drifts, and seasoning raises stability over time. Trust the system, and keep the lid sealed as much as possible.
Once you’ve chosen your humidor, setup and maintenance vary slightly depending on its type. Desktop humidors are straightforward: a single humidifier or a couple of Boveda packs usually keep conditions stable. For cabinet humidors, humidity needs to be distributed across multiple shelves, which often requires several humidifiers or larger Boveda packs to avoid uneven moisture.
Travel humidors require more diligence because changes in temperature and humidity during transport can quickly throw off balance. The best approach is to check the hygrometer often and refresh packs as needed. Coolidors and Tupperdors remain the most cost-effective choices, but they demand careful seasoning so that moisture doesn’t settle unevenly across the interior.
The takeaway? Each style of humidor has its own quirks. A desktop humidor offers convenience and stability for smaller collections, while a cabinet demands more equipment but rewards you with long-term storage capacity. Travel humidors are all about vigilance on the go, and Coolidors or Tupperdors succeed when you pay close attention during setup.
Seasoning your humidor is far more than just a procedural step or some box to check; it’s the foundation of cigar enjoyment.
A properly seasoned humidor maintains the wood’s moisture level, ensuring your cigars preserve their essential flavor and aroma, prevents cracked wrappers, and reduces the risk of mold growth. Investing time in this crucial step guarantees a reliable home for your cigars for years to come.
Setting up a humidor is a ritual, not a chore. From learning how to season a humidor to picking the right Boveda size for your stash, every choice adds up to cigars that age beautifully and smoke like they should.
Take the time, enjoy the process, and remember, every aficionado had their first setup moment. We’ve all made mistakes, overfilled a box, or forgotten to close the lid. The key is learning and adjusting.
Because when you finally lift the lid on a seasoned humidor, take in that cedar-and-tobacco aroma, and light a cigar that burns like a dream… well, that’s the moment every aficionado lives for.
Answers to the most common questions, quick and easy. Because you'd much rather be lighting up than googling.
How Do I Prepare a New Humidor?
Start by seasoning the humidor. Wipe the interior lightly with a clean cloth or sponge dampened with distilled water, or use a Boveda seasoning pack for a no-fuss method. Keep the lid closed for a few hours (or longer) so the Spanish cedar can absorb enough moisture. Only then should you add cigars.
Do I Need To Season a Humidor Every Time?
No, you only season a humidor once, when it’s new or after it has been unused for a long time. Regular maintenance with distilled water, propylene glycol solution, or Boveda packs will keep humidity levels stable afterward.
What’s The Proper Temperature For Cigar Storage?
The golden rule is “70/70”: 70°F with 70% relative humidity. While there’s wiggle room, keeping cigars at the right temperature ensures oils stay intact and cigars don’t dry out or mold.
How many Boveda packs do I need?
That depends on the size of your humidor and the Boveda size you choose. A handy chart from Boveda suggests one 60g pack for every 25 cigars. If you’re storing 100 cigars, four packs will keep things consistent, or you can buy larger 320g Boveda packs.
Can I Use Tap Water Instead of Distilled Water?
No. Tap water leaves behind minerals that damage humidifiers and encourage mold. Always use distilled water or use a PG solution.
What if My Humidor Doesn’t Hold Humidity?
Check for leaks in the lid. Sometimes even high-quality humidors need a better seal. If seasoning raises humidity, but it still drops quickly, you may need to re-season or switch to a different humidifier setup.
How Do I Know If My Cigars Have Enough Moisture?
Cigars should feel firm but springy when lightly squeezed. If they crack, they’re too dry. If they’re spongy, they’re over-humidified. Your hygrometer readings will confirm the actual moisture level inside.
Can I Store Cigars In a Glass-Top Humidor?
Yes, but glass-top humidors sometimes lose humidity faster. As long as you season properly and keep the lid closed, they work fine. Some enthusiasts prefer them because they love admiring their stash without opening the box.
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