Optimum level of humidity

Inside the humidor cigars should be stored at a relative humidity of approximately 68-74%. Generally it is assumed that the typical cigar flavors can best evolve in such a climate. This level of humidity supports an even burning of the cigar. At a relative humidity level of 70%, and a temperature of 64°F (18°C) the air contains approximately 10 grams of water per cubic meter of air. In such an environment, the cigar should absorb the ideal rate of humidity of 14% of its weight. Dry cigars become fragile and burn faster since their burning is not slowed down by the cigar’s natural humidity. The cigar takes on an aggressive and slightly bitter taste. Damp cigars, on the contrary, burn unevenly and take on a heavy and acidic flavor. A few aficionados appreciate these modifications to the cigar flavor and therefore intentionally store their cigars in a drier or damper environment. In the 65-75% range cigars can be stored for long periods of time without any concern. Caution is required, however, if the humidity level should exceed 80%. In this case the cigar can begin to rot and mold.

 

Sponge or acryl polymer humidifier

Until recently all humidifiers employed the same simple mechanism. Whether a $1000 brand name humidor or a $60 no-name humidor, all came equipped with a plastic or metal case containing a sponge as a humidifier. When using sponge humidifiers the use of special propylene glycol solutions is recommended, which improves the characteristics of sponge humidifiers.

 

The high-tech acryl polymer inside the humidifier element can absorb large amounts of liquid. It must be filled with distilled water only. One should note however that the humidity level inside a new humidor also stabilizes with acryl polymer humidifiers only after about two day’s time. All in all, acryl polymer humidifiers are very recommendable since they maintain a more stable humidity level and require less frequent monitoring and maintenance by the user. In addition, the danger of bacterial contamination is lower in polymer humidifiers than in sponge-based humidifiers. However, the danger of bacterial contamination cannot be completely eliminated, as is often claimed. In order to minimize the danger of bacterial contamination each humidifier (sponge or polymer based) should be replaced after about two years!

 

Correct Liquid

Please note that new acryl polymer humidifiers should be filled with distilled water only. The use of propylene solutions with acryl polymer humidifiers may result in a decrease in the humidifier’s humidification performance. Therefore, the following explanations are only applicable for traditional sponge-based humidors. The following two liquids should be used for filling sponge-based humidifiers:
  • Distilled water (available in auto parts stores, pharmacies, etc.)
  • Special solution consisting of 50% propylene glycol and 50% distilled water

 

Propylene glycol is a colorless innocuous liquid, which has two extremely favorable characteristics for its use in humidors. Firstly, the formation of mold as well as bacteria is actively prevented. Secondly, propylene glycol forms a thin layer on the surface of the humidifier, which absorbs humidity at humidity levels of over 70% and which emits humidity at humidity levels below 70%. In this way, the humidifier is self-adjusting and will automatically stabilize the humidity level at an optimum level of approximately 70%. It might take a few days in the beginning until the propylene glycol forms a surface layer and an optimal humidity level is reached. Propylene glycol is also known as 1.2 Propanediol. However it should never be confused with ethylene glycol (often referred to as glycol)! The purity of the propylene glycol should satisfy drug and food safety standards. Distilled water has an advantage over normal tap water in that it protects the humidifier against calcification and mold. Normal tap water contains minerals, which can clog the pores of the humidifier sponge. Additionally, normal tap water contains chlorine and bacteria, which might impact the aroma within the humidor and may lead to mold.

 

Refilling

Polymer-based humidifiers should be refilled with distilled water about once a month. How often the humidifier needs to be refilled depends on several factors: Frequency of opening the humidor, number of stored cigars, size of the humidifier, external humidity, outside temperature, etc. With sponge-based humidifiers the process of refilling is a little more complicated. For the first filling the humidifier should be filled up with the special propylene glycol water solution only. The distilled water evaporates substantially faster than the propylene glycol content. Therefore, the humidor should be refilled approximately once a month exclusively with distilled water. The special propylene glycol solution should be applied only when the humidity level in the humidor suddenly drops. Depending on the outside temperature this might be the case after approximately 3-6 months. Under no circumstances should the solution be refilled more frequently nor should a solution of propylene glycol exclusively ever be used since the humidification system will not be able to absorb liquid and the humidifier may hence become unusable.