Understanding Humidity And Cigars
Anyone who has purchased cigars from a tobacconist’s shop will know that they are usually stored in specialized cabinets that maintain a balanced temperature and steady level of humidity. Basically, such a cabinet or container is just a commercially sized humidor which operates in many of the same ways that the smaller, cedar boxes do. These individually sized containers often provide remarkably efficient ways to age and maintain cigars under optimal conditions, but they do require some regular effort and care.
Why do cigars need humidity at all? Well, all cigars are made of cut tobacco and full tobacco leaves (which serve as their wrappers) and these are just like all dried plants – they are susceptible to the conditions around them. Drop a dried leaf in a puddle of water and it will absorb the moisture, leave the same leaf in the sun and it will shrivel up and crumble to dust. Tobacco operates in the same ways, and for a cigar to be enjoyable it must receive balanced humidity and a steady amount of heat or cold.
The solution is to first use the right equipment and accessories to get the box into working order, and only then should the cigars be added. The best tool for measuring the condition of the box is the device called a hygrometer. This will indicate the current dew point inside of the humidor, and the ideal level is around 70%.
So, to re-balance the box, the owner must put it in the location where it will be used – which should be out of direct sunlight and in an area of steady temperature. They should then add the hygrometer and the humidifier (with a 50/50 solution of distilled water and Propylene Glycol formula). The lid should be tightly closed and the humidor should be left alone for several days. Once the hygrometer reaches the 70% mark, the box is safe for use.
It is important to note that many boxes will need upwards of a full week to become fully restored, and a cigar owner is going to have to become quite proficient at managing their humidifying devices. This is because they will need to balance the distilled water and the Propylene Glycol formula (or PG) that allows water to escape at a much slower rate of evaporation, thus humidifying the environment properly.
Ryder is a consultant for an online specialty butane lighters store and has expert knowledge of nibo lighters.
