Frequently Asked Questions About Cigar Humidifiers

• What is a cigar humidifier? 
• How does a cigar humidifier work? 
• How to charge cigar humidifier 
• How to fill a cigar humidifier 
• How to use a cigar humidifier disk 
• What humidity should I set my cigar humidifier to? 
• Can you put a humidifier in a cigar box? 
• What is the best humidifier for cigars? 
• What happens to an under humidified cigar? 
• What is the best humidity for cigars? 
• How often do you refill a cigar humidifier? 
• How to prepare a cigar humidifier 
• How long do cigar humidifiers last? 
• How do I know if I need a cigar humidifier?
• What are the types of cigar humidifiers?
• How do I decide what cigar humidifier is best for my cigar collection?
• How do I know if the humidity is too high?
• Why do I need to keep my cigars humid? 

What is a cigar humidifier?

A cigar humidifier is how a humidor maintains the proper moisture levels for storing your cigar. It is very important that the levels stay consistent over time so that the cigars do not get too moist or too dried out. It relies on a hygrometer to read the level of moisture inside the box. Cigar Star has a variety of cigar humidifiers. Using polymer crystal slow release beads ensure that the proper levels of moisture inside any humidor.

For more information, please visit Candor.

How does a cigar humidifier work?

A humidifier maintains a consistent level of humidity. The ideal range is about 70% humidity at all times. The humidifier depends on the process of water evaporating in the air and tries to maintain a consistent level of moisture by reading the humidity levels. It either functions using a chemical compound to regulate evaporation or a small fan inside. 

How to charge cigar humidifier

You can charge or refill your humidifier by removing it from the humidor box and moisten it with a solution consisting of half distilled water and half propylene glycol. Stay away from green foam humidifiers. Cigar Star uses only polymer crystal bead humidifiers, fill the humidifier with distilled water. Allow the crystal to fully absorb the distilled water, shake any excess water from the humidifier and place the humidifier back inside the humidor.

How to use cigar humidifier

You use the humidifier within the humidor by taking it out of the humidor and filling it up with an activator solution or distilled water. The solution should be one-part distilled water and the other part propylene glycol, which is the activating agent. The solution works by absorbing moisture from the interior air in the humidor.

How to fill a cigar humidifier

Before you put any cigars in your humidor, you need to make sure that the humidifier is filled up. This is how the humidity and moisture within the humidor are regulated. You need to coat the humidifier in a solution consisting of distilled water and propylene glycol, which is a compound that controls the evaporation process inside. Cigar Star uses only polymer crystal bead humidifiers, fill the humidifier with distilled water or Tropical humidity humidifier solution. Allow the crystal to fully absorb the distilled water, shake any excess water from the humidifier and place the humidifier back inside the humidor.

How to use a cigar humidifier disk

A humidifier disk helps to keep your cigars fresh in storage for a long time. You can purchase packs of disks to be inserted into the humidor. Some of them have an adhesive back so that it adheres to the top. Others are placed along the bottom of the humidor to keep everything fresh.

What humidity should I set my cigar humidifier to?

The ideal humidity level for a humidor is about 70%. This is the ideal moisture level so that the cigars are not too dry or too wet over time. An acceptable humidity range can go up as high as 75%, but you should not let your cigars sit in humidity much higher than that for a long time. Be sure to calibrate the humidifier so that you are getting an accurate reading on the moisture level. If you have a manual hygrometer, you can recalibrate it manually. A digital hygrometer will require you to keep track of the calibrated levels and add or deduct them from your future humidity readings.

Can you put a humidifier in a cigar box?

You may put a humidifier in a cigar box to store your cigars, but it may not be as effective as an actual humidifier. The cigar box should be made of all wood for the humidifier to do its job and be airtight to regulate moisture levels effectively. It would be best to place your cigar box and humidifier inside a large Ziplock or Tupperware dish for best results.

What is the best humidifier for cigars?

A humidor is just a box without a humidifier. They maintain the ideal conditions so that your cigars do not dry out over time. Electronic humidifiers require the least amount of maintenance to keep in good working order. They only need to be refilled about once a month. They will never need to be replaced. It is safe to use distilled water in them. In addition, they do not require propylene glycol as an activating agent to control the evaporation process inside. Boveda is the global leader in two-way humidity for your cigar humidor, although you will need to invest in new packs every 60 days. Cigar Star uses transparent polymer crystal humidifiers which slowly release humidity inside your humidor. Crystals inside the humidifier shrink in size letting you know that they need to be refilled with water.  They can prolong the life of Boveda packs when used together.

What happens to an under humidified cigar?

If a cigar is stored in conditions with humidity levels that are too low, it will dry out more quickly. Low moisture content within the cigar makes the cap fall off too easily when you go to smoke it. The tobacco will also burn much faster when you smoke it. The flavour and taste of the cigar will be distorted. You can tell that a cigar does not have enough humidity when you touch it and squeeze it. It will feel more brittle as if it could easily fall apart.

What is the best humidity for cigars?

The best humidity range for a cigar in storage is between 65 and 72% humidity. The hygrometer helps maintain the best humidity levels. If you can keep the humidity at 70%, your cigars will be in great shape for a long while. When a cigar is stored at a level of humidity that is too high, it becomes too damp. Mould can start forming and growing when there is too much moisture inside the humidor, which will ruin all your cigars and could make you sick from smoking them. Too little moisture dries out the air inside the box and everything else in it. This is how some cigars end up dried out and brittle.

How to clean and maintain a cigar humidifier

One of the most important things to clean out of your cigar humidifier is mould. If left unattended, it can ruin both the cigars and the humidor over time. Remove all the cigars from the humidor first. Wipe down the inside of the walls, bottom and lid with a paper towel or cloth. Use a small vacuum to suck any of the remaining dust out of the box. Wipe down the insides of the box again with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Finish cleaning the box with a dry paper towel or cloth rag.

How often do you refill a cigar humidifier?

How often you will need to refill a humidifier depends on how often you open the humidor lid. For instance, if you open the lid to remove or replace cigars several times a day, you will need to refill the humidifier much more often than if you only open the box once a week or even month. It is generally recommended that you refill just the distilled water in your humidifier about once a month. You should typically replace the activating solution with distilled water more frequently, about once every two to three weeks.

How to prepare a cigar humidifier

Remove the humidifier from the humidor on the open end of the humidifier pour distilled water or solution to the top of the humidifier. Allow the crystals for fully absorb. Wipe off the excess water. Place the humidifier back in the humidor before closing the lid.

How long do cigar humidifiers last?

If you use an electronic humidifier, it can last forever without needing to be replaced. Floral foam humidifiers need to be replaced about every six to 12 months. Crystal gels will need to be replaced  one to two years, and silicon beads will need to be replaced every three to six years. Plan to refill your electronic humidifier about once a month. The foam, gel and bead humidifier options will need to be refilled slightly more frequently.

How do I know if I need a cigar humidifier? 

It’s recommended for all cigar collectors or aficionados to invest in a quality cigar humidification system to ensure the cigars are kept at their correct relative humidity. If your cigars feel dry, brittle, or are cracking, it’s an indication that the relative humidity in your cigar storage system is too low and requires the help of cigar humidifiers to increase the relative humidity.

What are the types of cigar humidifiers? 

There are several types of cigar humidifiers varying in price, lifespan, and humidity level. The most common humidifiers are:

• Crystal Humidifiers
• Humidity Beads
• Electronic Humidifiers
• Foam Humidifiers 
• Boveda

How do I decide what cigar humidifier is best for my cigar collection? 

The best cigar humidifier for you depends on your level of involvement and care you have with your cigar collection. Though Sponge-based humidifiers are generally less expensive, they need to be maintained and checked regularly to ensure they are emitting the correct relative humidity. Electronic cigar humidors are generally a more expensive option, though they take the guesswork out of cigar storage, constantly maintaining the correct humidity levels. Boveda is the set it and forget it option that is a two-way humidification packet that uses salt to regulate humidity and can be used in conjunction with crystal bead humidifiers. The downfall is you must replace them every few months. 

How do I know if the humidity is too high? 

Often, if your cigars are kept in a too-humid environment, you may notice swelling of the cigar or a spongy texture. In more severe cases, you might notice mold on your cigars. 

Why do I need to keep my cigars humid?

It’s important to keep your cigars at around 70% humidity to ensure the delicate cigar wrapper and leaves do not dry out. If this occurs, when lit, the cigars will burn too quickly and much of the rich flavor will be lost. Did you know that a cigar will hold 1.5 grams of humidity which allows the filler, binder and wrapper to marry together creating the unique flavor profiles you get when enjoying your cigar.

Keeping a cigar collection can be addicting, and in the long run, the quest for the best humidor supplies and accessories becomes a pastime. 

However, every cigar enthusiast knows that the secret to continuous enjoyment of good quality cigars is proper maintenance and efficient tools to maximize its lifespan. So, we've compiled a list of humidor supplies and cigar accessories to guarantee long-term storage of your cigar collection. 

Whether you're a beginner or a cigar aficionado, this complete checklist of humidor supplies will surely help you out.

For more information, please visit Cigar Humidor Supplies.

What accessories do you need for a humidor?

The accessories you’ll need to get the most out of your humidor include supplies for seasoning your humidor, humidity solutions, hygrometers and cleaning supplies. These humidor accessories are the basic things you’ll need for the day-to-day use of your humidor. Thankfully humidor supplies are easy to round up, and are all available from Your Elegant Bar

Supplies for Seasoning a Humidor

Seasoning is a vital process that you need to perform before placing any cigars inside the humidor cabinet. This entails a few days to properly pull off and usually requires a hygrometer to reach the desired 75-80% RH level (Relative Humidity). Below are the cigar humidor supplies you would need for adequate seasoning.

1. Cigar humidifier
2. Calibrated hygrometer
3. Large clean bowl
4. New kitchen sponge
5. Plastic bag
6. Paper towel
7. Distilled water or propylene glycol
8. Seasoning wipes

Humidifiers and Humidity Solutions

• Cigar Ultrasonic Humidifier for Walk-in Humidors EB-03C | 700- Cu Ft

Maintaining the optimum humidification levels inside your walk-in humidors is integral for maintaining that ideal atmosphere for your prized cigar collection. Cigar Ultrasonic Humidifier for Walk-in Humidifiers EB-03C can use up to 6 liters per hour to maintain an optimum humidity level inside your humidors.
It also comes with a powerful fan that creates a balanced airflow that quickly distributes moisture throughout the huge cabinet humidor. A dedicated water line linked to the humidifier saves time and effort, which is especially beneficial when maintaining walk-in humidors.
With Eb-03C you can easily adjust the relative humidity settings according to your needs. You can also set up a timer to suit your needs. The EB-03C uses wheels and handles for easy mobility and a strong grip. 

• The Cigar Humidifier EB-100 for Cabinets & Lockers

The Cigar Humidifier for cabinets & lockers EB-100 is a high-performance humidification system that's ideal for humidor cabinets and lockers that hold a lot of cigars. With a strong motor operating at 60 Hz, and 2 powerful fans that work simultaneously to uniformly circulate humidified air, the EB-100, is the perfect fit to keep your cigars fresh for a long time. The humidifier is also relatively easy to set up, which means anyone can install it, eliminating the need for professionals to handle the task. All you have to do is fill up the reservoir through the water inlets, and plug it in. A water level indicator makes the process even more user-friendly.

EB-100 uses cutting-edge technology to give the finest humidity for cigars and provides very precise humidity management; The humidifier also has a sufficient water tank capacity and can be filled manually. The auto-fill version makes the task even easier by eliminating the usage of buckets to fill up the tank.

• Cool Mist Humidifiers

Cool mist humidifiers are often the choice for large walk-in humidors. It is low maintenance, easy to clean, and works better in larger areas and warmer climates. It uses a filter to trap minerals and impurities to produce the purest mist evaporating into the air. 

Changing its filter should be done regularly to avoid algae and mold build-up. The downside to this humidor supply is that it makes more noise than expected.

• Ultrasonic Humidifiers

This cigar humidifier works like a speaker, wherein it uses a metal diaphragm vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency. Water droplets are then generated into the air through a fan. 

This humidor humidifier is virtually silent and creates a cool fog when using distilled water. It's also low maintenance and user-friendly, perfect for cigar enthusiasts who enjoy daily to weekly smokes in their backyard or balcony.

• Crystal Gel

Another popular humidor supply is crystal gel cigar humidifiers. These crystal gels feature highly absorbent polymers, which work best when soaked in distilled water.

Gel crystals boost humidity levels effectively and quickly release moisture so that cigars won't dry out. It's pre-treated with propylene glycol. Perfect for newly-enthused cigar lovers, soaking it in distilled water is the only necessary step to remember when using this type of humidifier - simple and straightforward.

• Silica Beads

Made from silica gel, this humidifier is quite granular and is the porous form of silicon dioxide created synthetically from sodium silicate. It releases moisture and can absorb up to 40 times its weight in water. 

They are pre-treated with propylene glycol, which helps them maintain a specific humidity level, from 60 to 70%. The way you use it is the same as the crystal gel, soaking them in water then waiting for the expansion.

• Humidification Solution

This is an essential part of maintaining your humidor and quickly falls on the top three must-have humidor supplies. Humidification solution stabilizes the moisture levels inside the cabinet humidors. It comprises 50% pre-mixed food-grade propylene glycol solution and 50% distilled water to help keep the RH level at 70%.

Hygrometers

Hygrometers are also part of the maintenance kit any cigar lover would have in their arsenal. It's a handy tool used to measure the moisture inside the humidor accurately. Here are two types of hygrometers many cigar enthusiasts have owned at some point in their journey.

• Analog 

This variant is commonly made with a metal spring, while traditional ones are created with natural or synthetic hair. It boasts a mechanical function that lets you know the humidity levels in your humidor through a needle. It moves up and down according to the fluctuation of the moisture inside the humidor.

• Digital

Digital hygrometers are more in demand since they work best with smart apps that many new models are compatible with. This hygrometer still uses analog sensors to measure humidity, but it has unique features like storing previously recorded humidity levels and temperature readings via memory mode. 

Salt Test

This is a method used to calibrate the hygrometer, and despite the time-consuming process, it's relatively simple and helps achieve your humidor's longevity. You will need the following:

• Salt
• Distilled water
• Plastic bag

Humidor Cleaning Supplies

When preserving your humidor, it is best to come prepared with all the right cleaning supplies. The most common ones used are as follows:

• Propylene Glycol activation solution
• Lint-free cloth
• Distilled water
• Sponge

Travel Humidor Accessories

If you travel often you may already have your travel humidor system dialed. Many of the best cigar humidor accessories are small enough to be stowed in your luggage. If you’re just getting into traveling with your humidor and cigars you might consider checking out our selection of travel humidors. We have travel humidors as small as a leather-bound book, and humidors with storage for as many as 60 cigars.

If you’ve already got a travel humidor and just need accessories then take a look at our cigar humidor accessories. We have hygrometers, seasoning wipes, humidity beads, and more. The best travel humidor accessories add value to your cigar experience without adding unneeded bulk and weight.

Hassle-free Shopping at Elegant Bar

No need to complicate your humidor starter kit. With our list of excellent humidor supplies, you wouldn't have to look far and wide for hyper-specific products. We hope this post helped you choose the right humidor accessories that work best for you.

For more Custom Refrigerator Supplierinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.