Do you want to equip yourself with a cigar humidor but don't know how to choose one? Do you want to know what benefits it can offer? Or are you looking for a way to store your cigars without a humidor?
At Gentleman Lounge, we have the answers to all your questions.
The ideal way to store cigars is to opt for a cigar humidor. If you don't have one, you can store your cigars in an airtight freezer bag with a damp sponge inside.
In this article, you will discover :
- How to store cigars without a humidor
- The benefits of a cigar humidor
- How to choose the right cigar humidor
You will learn how to store your cigars in the best possible conditions.
Without further ado, let's get to the heart of the matter.
How to store cigars without a humidor?
The most frequently asked question is how to store cigars without a humidor. There are indeed alternatives, but some rumors are false.
Let's explore these options together.
Where to store cigars?
If you're just getting interested in cigars, you may not want to buy a humidor right away. However, this doesn't mean that you don't want to store your cigars in optimal conditions.
Fortunately, there are several cost-effective and effective alternatives. But before we look at the options available to you, let's understand the purpose of a cigar humidor to know how to get the ideal storage conditions.
Changes in temperature and humidity can affect the quality of your cigars. They can become difficult to light, and the taste can also change. The ideal conditions to store your cigars are to place them in a room with 70% humidity and a temperature of around 21°C. Humidity can be between 65% and 72%, and temperature between 18°C and 22°C.
The cigar humidor helps maintain humidity and temperature. That's why you will need one if you want to get serious about cigars. But let's look at the different alternatives available.
Store cigars in the fridge?
It is often said that the fridge is a good alternative to the cigar humidor, but is it true?
The answer is no. Avoid storing your cigars in a fridge. The cool and dry air in your fridge dries out cigars in no time, which is the opposite of what you want.
Cigars can also absorb the taste of surrounding objects, and they can transfer their taste to other objects. Storing your cigars in the fridge is, therefore, a terrible idea.
The freezer dries out cigars even faster, so avoid storing them in there.
How to replace the cigar humidor?
The ideal method to store your cigars without a humidor is to place them in a zip-lock freezer bag with a damp sponge or towel. The sponge or towel provides moisture, and the airtight seal keeps it in. If you plan to store your cigars for a long time, check regularly that the towel or sponge is still moist.
Tupperware can also be a good alternative. As with the freezer bag, place your cigars in the Tupperware with a damp sponge or towel. Squeeze out your sponge or towel to avoid water from accumulating in the container.
The same method, but this time with a cooler. Indeed, you can easily transform your cooler into a real cigar humidor. Still, prefer a new cooler to avoid food odors that could remain. The same principle applies, place a damp sponge in the cooler and regularly check its moisture.
Also, when storing your cigars, avoid mixing cigars with different flavors. As we've mentioned, cigars tend to absorb the taste of the objects around them. For example, if you place a vanilla-flavored cigar in the same place as others, they will all end up with a vanilla taste.
Consider unpacking your cigars before storing them. This may seem counterintuitive, but your cigars will be able to absorb moisture more easily. However, if you plan on traveling with them, do not remove the wrapping from your cigar, as this will allow it to be minimally protected.
How to store cigars with a humidor?
Now that you know how to store cigars without a humidor, let's focus on the benefits a humidor can offer.
Let's discover that now.
Why choose a humidor?
Humidors allow cigars to be stored in conditions similar to those in which tobacco was grown, fermented, and rolled.
Maintaining the correct humidity level is very important for cigar storage, as tobacco leaves expand or contract depending on the humidity. A too-dry cigar will have no flavor, and a too-wet cigar risks rotting. That's why a humidor is so important.
A humidor guarantees that you can store your cigars for several years without any problems. And they come in all sizes. You can find travel humidors or indoor humidors that can hold several hundred cigars.
How to choose a humidor?
If you decide to get a humidor, you should opt for high-end models. Because a low-quality humidor will not be able to maintain the humidity level and therefore serves no purpose. Consider this purchase as an investment to take care of your cigar collection.
The most important step is to choose the size of your humidor. Our advice is to buy a humidor that is slightly larger than what you think you need. And if your collection is too large to fit in a humidor, there are cigar clubs that offer rental facilities to store your cigars.
We also recommend opting for a humidor with a lock if your collection is valuable. Without necessarily thinking about theft, your cigars can easily be damaged if they are in the hands of someone who does not take care of them. So opt for a lock, and you will be more at ease.
It can sometimes be difficult to find a high-quality humidor, which is why at Cigar Gentleman, we place great importance on the quality control of our humidors.
Where to keep your cigar cellar?
It is also important to find a good place to store your humidor. Try to keep it in a dry and cool environment to avoid mold. And do not place your humidor in direct sunlight, as your cigars may suffer the consequences.
Ideally, they should be stored in a room where the temperature is between 18 and 22°C.
Take care of your cigars
You now know the best tips for storing your cigars without a humidor. But keep in mind that there is nothing better than a real humidor to store your cigars for a long time.
So if you're interested in humidors, take a look at our collection. We offer a large number of different humidors, and you will surely find one that suits you. To access the collection, click on the image below.
