Cigar connoisseurs understand the importance of taking care of their cigar collection, and a good humidor makes that possible. A humidor is an airtight box that the cigar owner can use to control the humidity of the cigars. They can help keep cigars fresh for longer periods by keeping them from drying out or rotting from excess moisture.
There are a lot of different types of humidors you can purchase. However, it’s important that you pick a humidor that will fit your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a humidor:
Test the seal — Having a humidor will do you no good unless it seals properly. You can check the seal by lifting the lid a couple of inches and then dropping it. If the lid makes a whooshing sound, it means the humidor is sealing properly. If the lid and the bottom clang together, it could mean the humidor isn’t sealing. You can also check the seal by seeing if a dollar bill will slide between the lid and the bottom. For this test, you should use a crisp dollar bill. If you can’t squeeze the bill inside, that means the seal is working correctly.
Find an aesthetic that suits you — As long as it seals correctly, how the humidor looks depends on your personal preference. Humidors can come in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Wood humidors are a classic option if you want to go all out for your humidor; however, solid wood humidors are more expensive. If you want the same look without spending as much, you can always opt for a humidor with a wood veneer.
Go with a Spanish cedar lining — While the outside doesn’t affect the integrity of your cigar, the materials used inside of the humidor can make a big difference in how your cigars age. Spanish cedar is a fragrant wood that can add some interesting characteristics to your cigars. Spanish cedar panels should line the bottom and sides of your humidor. Don’t worry about the wood cracking because of the humidity. Spanish cedar is used for humidors because it doesn’t break even though it is continually expanding and contracting.
Pick the right size —The “right size” for a humidor depends on you and your collection. If you are a casual cigar smoker and only need to hold onto a handful of cigars at a time, it may be more prudent for you to purchase a small humidor. However, if you have a plan to amass an extensive collection, it may be worth investing in a larger humidor. Bigger usually means more expensive, but a larger humidor will be a wise investment to house your expanding collection of cigars.
Pay attention to hinges — Humidors that last a long time have good hinges that are made of brass. While butterfly hinges are common for humidors, quadrant or piano hinges tend to last longer.
So now you see that buying a humidor is not as easy as waltzing into the store and grabbing the one humidor on the shelf. You will be faced with a number of choices, so it’s important to do your homework and pick the one that best suits your budget, preferences, and storage needs. Since you’re investing a lot of money in your cigars, it’s only proper that you offer the best protection so they will stay fresh for a long time.
