Molly Ayala
Maintaining the right humidity level is essential for cigar aficionados to ensure their cigars remain in optimal condition. While electric humidors are designed to self-regulate humidity, sometimes they may struggle to maintain the desired range. This is particularly important when aging cigars, as lower humidity allows the tobacco to mature without risking damage. This guide will explore how to lower humidity in an electric humidor to preserve cigars effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal humidity for cigar storage | 65-72% RH |
| Ideal temperature for cigar storage | 65-70°F (18-21°C) |
| Actions to take if the humidor is too humid | Remove the humidification source, allow excess moisture to evaporate, use a dehumidifier, open the lid of the humidor, dry-box cigars |
| Reasons to lower the humidity in the humidor | Humidor is running too humid (above 72% RH), storing cigars for a longer period (e.g. during aging) |
| Effects of high humidity on cigars | Cigars won't burn evenly, risk of cigar mold, damage to cigars |
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What You'll Learn
Remove the humidifier and allow moisture to evaporate
If your electric humidor is too humid, the first step is to identify the cause. The most common reasons for high humidity in a humidor are a humid environment, a bad seal on the humidor, too much solution, or overfilling.
Once you've identified the cause, you can take steps to correct the issue. If the humidifier is the cause of the excess humidity, it is recommended to remove it from the humidor and allow the excess moisture to evaporate before replacing it. This can be done by simply opening the lid of your humidor and leaving it open for a few hours to allow the moisture to evaporate gradually. You can also try sticking a pen or pencil under the lid to prop it open and leaving it for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the climate, and then checking the humidity level. Repeat this process until your hygrometer reads about 65-70% relative humidity (RH).
If your cigars are too moist, it is advisable to remove them from the humidor and store them in a dry box, such as an empty wooden cigar box, for a day or two. This will help remove excess moisture from the cigars in a gradual manner that won't shock them.
It is important to maintain the ideal humidity level in your electric humidor, which is typically between 65-72% RH. Humidity levels above 72% can lead to problems such as mould formation and a damper smoke when smoking the cigars. Lower humidity levels, on the other hand, can slow the natural decaying process of tobacco, allowing the cigars to age and mature without risking damage to the tobacco.
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Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture
Maintaining the ideal humidity in your humidor is crucial for preserving the flavour, freshness, and quality of your cigars. Over-humidified cigars are tough to light, and the wrapper can crack or come unravelled while smoking.
If your electric humidor is too humid, you can use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture. A small dehumidifier can be placed inside the humidor to absorb excess moisture. If your humidor continues to have higher humidity levels, even after making changes to the settings, the humidifier on your unit could be defective.
During humid months, especially in summer, use a dehumidifier in the room where your humidor is located. Seal windows and doors to prevent humid air from entering. Keep a seasonal schedule to remind yourself to adjust humidity levels accordingly.
Place silica gel packets or other drying agents inside the humidor. These help absorb excess moisture and keep humidity levels stable without affecting your cigars. Use breathable pouches to hold silica gel, and place them away from direct contact with cigars to prevent any flavour impact.
Store your humidor in a cool, less humid area. Avoid basements and other enclosed spaces that tend to trap moisture, especially in regions with high ambient humidity. Position the humidor on an elevated shelf in a well-ventilated room to help keep humidity under control.
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Open the lid for a few hours
If your electric humidor is too humid, you can try opening the lid for a few hours to allow excess moisture to evaporate. This method is a quick fix to lowering humidity in a pinch, but it won't address the underlying cause of the high humidity.
Start by opening the lid for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how humid the climate is. Set an alarm, then check the humidity level inside the humidor. Repeat this process until your hygrometer reads about 67% relative humidity (RH).
Opening the lid is a simple way to release excess moisture, but each time you open the humidor, you expose the cigars to unregulated air, which can change the humidity level. This can be a problem if you live in a humid environment, as the moisture from the outside air will affect the cigars. Therefore, it is recommended to find a humidor with an exterior-reading hygrometer, so you don't have to open it every time you want to check the humidity level.
If your humidor is too humid, it could be due to a number of factors, such as overfilling, a bad seal, or too much solution. To prevent mould from forming on your cigars, you should address the cause of the high humidity and take steps to lower it. This may involve removing the humidification source and allowing it to sit out for a few hours, or using a dehumidifier to absorb excess moisture.
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Store cigars in a dry-box for a few days
If your electric humidor is too humid, you can try the following steps to correct the issue:
Firstly, identify the cause of the excess humidity. If the humidifier is the cause, remove it from the humidor and allow the excess moisture to evaporate before replacing it. If this does not solve the problem, use a small dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the humidor. You can also try opening the lid of your humidor for a few hours to allow the moisture to evaporate.
If your cigars are too moist, remove them from the humidor and store them in a dry box for a day or two. Dry boxing is the process of removing cigars from humidification by placing them in a container that isn't humidified. This can be done in a non-humidified plastic travel humidor, Tupperware, Ziploc bag, or a cedar box, which is best as it naturally preserves the flavor and aroma of a premium cigar and gradually absorbs moisture.
The ideal humidity for dry boxing cigars is 40-50% RH, and the cigars should be laid out in a single row on a flat surface or evenly in rows inside a box. The timeframe for dry boxing should be between 24 and 48 hours, with lower humidity levels requiring less time and vice versa. You may need to experiment with different dry boxing processes to find what works best for you and the types of cigars you are using.
Some cigar lovers will remove a cigar from the humidor and leave it out overnight before smoking it, but cigars shouldn't be kept out of a humidor indefinitely as they will dry out too much and their flavor and construction will be negatively impacted.
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Opt for a humidor with an exterior-reading hygrometer
Opting for a humidor with an exterior-reading hygrometer is a great way to monitor the humidity levels of your cigars without constantly opening the humidor. This is important because opening the humidor too frequently can cause fluctuations in humidity levels, which can be detrimental to the cigars. Exterior-reading hygrometers provide an accurate reading of the relative humidity inside the humidor, allowing you to make necessary adjustments without disturbing the cigars.
Exterior-reading hygrometers come in two main types: digital and analog. Digital hygrometers typically have a digital screen that displays the humidity level as a percentage. Some models may also include features such as a dual humidity/temperature display and a slim profile for space-saving. Digital hygrometers are generally more accurate than their analog counterparts, with some offering a margin of error as low as +/- 2%.
Analog hygrometers, on the other hand, usually feature a circular dial or gauge with a needle that points to the relative humidity level. While they may not be as accurate as digital hygrometers, analog hygrometers can still be a good choice, especially if you prefer a more traditional look. It's important to note that analog hygrometers typically have a larger margin of error, which can be as high as 10%.
Regardless of the type of hygrometer you choose, it's essential to calibrate it regularly to ensure accuracy. Calibration can be done using a calibration kit or a simple salt test. By calibrating your hygrometer, you can trust that the readings are correct and make adjustments to your humidor accordingly.
In addition to choosing a humidor with an exterior-reading hygrometer, there are a few other things to keep in mind to maintain optimal humidity levels. Firstly, try to keep your humidor in a stable environment with consistent temperatures, as temperature fluctuations can affect humidity levels. Additionally, remember that the ideal humidity range for cigars is generally considered to be between 65% and 72% relative humidity. By regularly monitoring the humidity levels with an exterior-reading hygrometer and making adjustments as needed, you can ensure that your cigars remain in optimal condition.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal humidity for an electric humidor is between 65% and 72% RH.
Your cigars won't burn evenly and you may notice cigar mould. You should also check the humidity reading on your hygrometer.
First, try opening your humidor for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the climate. Repeat this process until your hygrometer reads about 67%. If this doesn't work, remove the humidification source and allow it to sit out for a few hours or overnight.
Your humidor may be too humid because of the environment it's kept in, a bad seal on the humidor, too much solution, or overfilling.
