A humidor is a necessity of you enjoy cigars on a regular basis. In order to properly store a cigar, a fine balance must be maintained between the humidity and temperature at which they are stored. Your humidor should maintain a humidity of between 65-70% humidity with a temperate of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The rule of thumb is 70/70. Your humidor should be lined in kiln dried cedar which helps maintain the flavor and aroma of the cigars. Another item to consider is a hygrometer. The hygrometer will allow you to check the humidity level of your humidor at a glance. If you are using a humidor for the first time, it's also very important to allow it time to "charge" . This could take anywhere from a few days to a week or more depending on the size of your humidor. Simply place your humidifier and hygrometer in the humidor then periodically check until the humidity level reaches between 65-70%.  Humidor Vault recommends charging your new humidor for at least 7 days before adding your cigars.  This will be the only time you will have to wait to add your cigars to the humidor.

Do I Need a Special Solution for My Humidifier?

All of our humidors come with a standard humidification system that only requires distilled water.  There are activator solutions on the market that contain chemicals, such as propylene glycol (PG).  All you need to do with our standard humidification systems is to keep the humidifier filled with distilled water or a PG Solution and check the humidity level on your hygrometer every week.  When the humidity level drops below 65, add more distilled water or PG Solution to your humidifier.  If you want a more maintenence free system, we recommend upgrading your humidifier to an electric humdifier that uses distilled water.  One of the best on the market today is the Cigar Oasis brand that we carry.  The Cigar Oasis electric humdifiers come in two parts.  One section holds the distilled water and the other holds the motor.  Fill the resorvoir with distilled water and attach both pieces together. Place the unit into your humidor and plug it in.  It's that easy!  You won't have to check this type of system every week, but we recommend checking the level every month or so.  You should go several months before needing to refill the unit with distilled water. Under no circumstances should you use standard tap water!

How do I Calibrate My Hygrometer?

In order to calibrate your hygrometer, you will need a Ziplock bag, salt and a small shallow open container, like a bottle cap. In the shallow container, place about a teaspoon of salt and add a few drops of water to get it wet. Don’t add too much water, just enough to get a moist pile of salt.  Remember, you don't want a salt water solution, just damp salt.  Place the container in the bag along with the hygrometer. Close the bag with some air trapped inside and let it sit.  Allow this to stabilize for at least 6 hours (don't rush it).  After it has stabilized, check the hygrometer reading without opening up the bag.  It should be exactly 75%.  If not, you can simply adjust the reading by turning the dial on the back of the hygrometer with a small screwdriver, if your hygrometer doesn't have an adjustable dial, simply remember what the difference is between the optimum 75% reading and the actual reading of your hygrometer.

How Do I Restore a Dry Cigar?

Patience is the name of the game when it comes to restoring cigars that have been dried out due to a lack of humidification. Time and a slow re-hydrating process are the two essential elements required to restore the cigars to their original state.  Start by placing the cigars in a sealed box for a few days to allow them to breathe and adjust to their environment. After a few days, introduce your humidifier to the environment with a partially filled humidifier. Let the cigars rest and re-adjust to the new environment. Repeat this process during the course of the next few weeks until the cigars are supple to the touch. WARNING: Remember to be patient! If you introduce the cigars to an environment with too much humidity (like your already-charged humidor) you will shock the tobacco and it will cause the cigars to absorb too much humidity causing the wrappers to burst and you'll end up with cigars that will never be usable.

How do I Properly Cut or "Punch" a cigar?

A sharp cutter is a must if this is the technique you use to open your cigar. Position the cutter about 3 millimeters from the smoking end of the cigar and rest the tip of the cigar in contact with the cigar. Using a quick, decisive motion, slice off the end of the cigar. If you prefer to "punch" a cigar, a sharp punch is a necessity. Place the cutting end of the punch in contact with the end of the cigar and gently twist while pushing down into the tobacco with a firm motion. This will cut out a little plug of tobacco from the end of the cigar.

How to Properly Light a Cigar.

Smoking a cigar should be an experience full of romance and enjoyment, and properly lighting a cigar is an important part of this process. Once you have the end of the cigar either nipped or punched, the best way to light a cigar is to use a wooden match or lit sliver of wood.  Without allowing the flame to actually touch the end of the cigar, gently roll the edges of the cigar close to the flame until it is lit. In time the binder will catch fire and you'll notice bluish wisps of smoke rising from the end. Continue to roll the cigar until the entire rim is lit then gently blow on the end of it. Once the entire end of the cigar has a light grey ash, softly blow OUT on the cigar to clear any soot and ash. Your cigar should now be ready to smoke!

How to Properly Smoke a Cigar.

Rule number one: Enjoy it! Savor the moment. Smoking a good cigar is like drinking a glass of fine wine or vintage Cognac. Pull the smoke into your mouth and savor its flavor.  Take long draws on the cigar instead of short puffs. This will help ensure that the cigar burns evenly from end to end. Rolling the cigar in your fingers as you smoke is another way to help ensure a smooth and even burn. Eventually you'll have a big head of ash on the end of the cigar. Don't knock the ash off! Let nature take its course and allow the head to grow until it's ready to fall off in it's own time. If you knock the ash head off, you'll end up with a "spike" of glowing tobacco filler sticking from the end of your cigar!

Should My Cigar Have a Different Flavor from End to End?

As the tobaccos in a cigar heat up, you'll experience bursts of different flavors as they catch fire. Wood, leather, spice, pepper... there are myriad of different flavor experiences you might enjoy while smoking a good cigar.

How Should I Extinguish my Cigar?

Again, let nature take it's course. Once a cigar has run its course, it should naturally extinguish itself. It's poor cigar etiquette to "butt out" a cigar as it will create an unpleasant odor for everyone around you.

Have more Questions that are not answered here?

Just drop us an email at support@humidorvault.com and we will be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have!