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www.famous-smoke.com Kurt Van Keppel, president of xikar, Inc. (www.xikar.com), offers great advice on how to properly season and maintain ideal humidity in your cigar humidor. Watch, listen-up, and learn!

Using the “wipedown” method to season a humidor. www.cigarstudent.com

Many people wonder what is better, a glass top humidor or a solid wood humidor. While there are arguments for both, the answer depends mainly on your personal taste.

The main argument for purchasing a solid wood humidor rather than glass top is that wood lids are more reliable because they have a better seal. Since there are no extra seams, the humidors seal can’t be compromised and there are fewer places where humidity can leak from. This seems like a pretty reasonable argument. And to be fair, there are certainly cases where the glass has come loose in its frame and begins to wiggle. This is quite obviously not good for sealing in the humidity required for your cigars!

Having said that, thousands of glass top humidors are sold every year and are trusted to store millions of cigars. Also, if you think about the argument further, almost all commercial or display humidors use glass. They need to because vendors have to display their products. These are vendors that are storing hundreds or thousands of cigars for their clients to purchase! If they can trust storing thousands of dollars worth of cigars in glass display humidors, why shouldn’t you?

The issue some have with solid wood humidors is that they like to see their cigars. In order to do this with a wood lid, they are forced to open their humidors and this releases a lot of humidity. For people who like to look at their cigars, glass top humidors are much better because humidity levels can remain stable.

Realistically, both glass top humidors and solid wood humidors will do the job you need them to do. In the end it comes down to what you’re comfortable with and what aesthetic you like more. I like the glass top myself. Firstly, because I think it looks good. Secondly, I don’t need to open the humidor to look at my cigars…and the less you open it, the less humidity fluctuations you will have inside the humidor.

Every day, we make ways to keep our lives in order. We follow steps and rules to make sure that everything works properly. Whether it be our cars that need regular oil changes, running the virus scans on our computers, or seasoning a cigar humidor; without the proper attention and time, these expensive investments will not last.

Cigar humidors are one of the most expensive investments a cigar enthusiast can spend on. Although lots enthusiasts have this expensive accessory, only a few of them truly know how to season them the right way. Most of them end up destroying these fine pieces of cigar accessories.

Cigar humidors are a good gift to cigar enthusiasts; especially those who are only beginning to appreciate cigars. However, receiving this gift can be a problem, as not all of them know how to use them and, what’s worse is that, it does not come with instructions on how to properly season it. Properly seasoning a cigar humidor is important to keep your cigars fresh. If you own a cigar humidor and dont know how to properly season a cigar humidor, you will end up with cigars you would rather throw in the garbage instead of smoking them.

Spanish cedar or mahogany is used to line the interior of cigar humidors as they are known to absorb moisture well and hold the humidity within it. They are also known to repel fungus. But before these woods are used, manufacturers must first dry them up; this makes them more sensitive to humidity. If you encounter these kinds of wood in your humidors, and you don’t know the proper way to use them you will end up with too much moisture in your cigar humidor and will end up destroying them. One of the key tricks in cigar humidor is using only distilled water. Distilled water is important because it will not cause buildup in the humidor; you will also need a brand new sponge.

Here are the basic steps to seasoning a cigar humidor

The first step is to soak a sponge with distilled water and wipe down the insides of the cigar humidor. It is important that all the surfaces in the interior are wiped well. The next step is to fill up the humidification device according to the specifications of the cigar humidor and soak the sponge for a second time. Place the sponge inside it and let it sit for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, take the sponge out of the humidor and wipe its interiors once again. The last step in seasoning your cigar humidor is to refill the humidification device. Once you have properly seasoned the cigar humidor the interiors will retain the humidity and will keep your cigars as fresh as the day you bought them.

Now you know how to keep the humidity in your cigar humidor, the next thing you should know is why you should control the humidity.

One of the biggest myths in humidity in the cigar humidors is that the lower the temperature will ensure a higher humidity level inside it and vice-versa. However, this is not true.

This myth claims that if you are maintaining 70% humidity at 70 degrees in your cigar humidor and the temperature falls by 5 degrees, then you should increase the humidity level by 5% to compensate the loss. The reality is that regardless of the temperature drop or increase, the humidity level should be definitely kept at 70%.

The reason why the humidity needs to be controlled is because a cigar needs just enough water to keep its tobacco fresh but not so much as to soak it with moisture. Whatever the change in temperature is, it is important that the level of humidity is kept at the same level. This is because the humidity the hygrometer is reading is not the level inside the cigar but the moisture level inside the cigar humidor. The reading on the hygrometer should be kept at 70%.

Knowing the proper way of seasoning a cigar humidor is the only way to preserve your precious cigars. Once you know the proper way, you can start enjoying your cigar smoking experience.

Got a golf lover, the Cigar Place also has a an eight cigar humidor in the shape of a golf bag that clips onto your bag and includes its own humidifier and a side pocket for accessories like lighters, matches, or extra tee’s. Cigars and cigar humidors make great Christmas, father’s day or birthday gifts for that special man in your life. If they are a once in a while kind of guy or a regular connoisseur finding the right humidor to keep their cigars in perfect condition is easy to do at the Cigar Place.

A cigar humidor is typically classified into one of three sizes, small or travel which typically hold five to twenty-five cigars, medium or desktop which hold thirty to one hundred and twenty-five cigars or large, which hold over a hundred and fifty cigars. With over 34 different styles of cigar humidors from singles to shotgun shell inspired as well as travel boxes and 300 cigar holders. There is a humidor for everyone, style and/ or need. The ‘perdomo’ travel humidor holds 20 cigars and has one round humidifier. With its black finish and brass hinges, its stunning beauty would look great on any desk top of bookcase.

Cigar Place has more than just cigar humidors but they also have ashtray, cutters/ punches, lighters, and hygrometers (fancy thermometers), so it is easy to find everything you need to create the perfect gift ensemble or little hints to the big prize. Check them out when it is time to give the perfect gift. Not everyone is comfortable with purchasing things over the internet with all the hackers out there, so Cigar Place did more than their part to ensure that all of your information is kept safe and confidential. Their site is tested and certified daily, and several different encoding software to ensure a fast, reliable and safe shopping experience.

When you have a guy in your life that enjoys the finer things you need to stay up to date on how to help him enjoy them. A man who enjoys his cigars needs an appropriate place to keep them- a cigar humidor. These little beauties keep the flavor and the humidity (moistness) of the cigar at perfection. Keeping cigars at the perfect temperature, humidity and safety is vital to long lasting enjoyment.

The variety of cigar humidors can be quite daunting. Cigarplace.biz offers a large selection from smaller travel sizes holding 5-25 cigars, medium sized or desktop which hold 30-125 cigars and of course t he grand-daddy of cigar humidors the large ones which hold over 150 cigars at optimum freshness which means the air is not to dry or the cigars dry out and crumble away and not to moist which would cause mold to grow and ruin the cigars.

A cigar humidor is a very important investment, especially if you enjoy a high degree of cigar. This is an investment meant to last you many, many years so take your time finding the perfect one for your needs. Cheap ones can be found easily, and in some fortunate cases a real good used one comes for sale, but your best bet is to do your homework and shop around.

There are a few basics to remember whist doing this:

• Size: yes, size does matter. Do not break the bank with one three times the size you need thinking about 10-15years down the road. But you defiantly want one you can grow into. The key thing to remember is a 50 count cigar humidor can easily hold 2 cigars, while a 5 count cigar humidor cannot hold 10.

• Seal: without this the cigar humidor is a waste of money. The seal is the whole point of owning a cigar humidor.

• Liner: the liner helps collect any extra moister that shouldn’t be in there. Typically this will be cedar because it does not warp with humidity.

• Style: you do not want you humidor to stick our like a sore thumb in whatever room you are going to be placing it. Find something timeless and classic or something sleek and modern to fit your style.

• Quality: if the hardware fails, the seal breaks, the lining warps, the lid doesn’t shut then it was a waste of your money.

Using a cigar humidor or travel humidor to store your cigars properly to maintain optimum freshness and taste is very important to any cigar aficionado.

Cigars absorb moisture from the air, through a process known as hygroscopic. The ideal setting essential to protect cigars long-term is 70% Relative Humidity along with 70° Fahrenheit. A few folks opt to smoke stogies maintained at 65% Humidity or lower. This approach is an issue of individual choice and it might fluctuate for various cigars. Most importantly, 70% RH will be best for the aging process of your cigars which can span for quite a few years. Measuring the relative humidity in your humidor will require it to have a analog or digital humidor hygrometer. Maintaining cigars at higher temps can lead to the hatching of tobacco beetles. In the event that the temp becomes too high and the moisture is just right the beetles will hatch-out and eat through your cigars causing a serious problem for you and your cigars. Your cigars will be ideally maintained in dim or dark conditions. Too much exposure to direct lighting will certainly affect and diminish stogie wrappers and promote oil evaporation. In addition, light can produce high temperatures which will additionally harm the cigars. For these purposes, it is essential to position your cigar humidor away from direct sunlight where temps are as constant as feasible. Consistency is ideal for proper storage.

Some characteristics that you ought to check out when buying a cigar humidor.

The one particular important feature is that it needs to be totally sealed once the top is closed. If the lid is not tight and secure, then it’s likely that the temperatures or humidity within will vary. A top that’s snug also helps prevent any additional outside factors from damaging the cigars, and stops any moisture exchange. It’s also useful to have dividers inside the humidor to assist in the storing and separating of different types of cigars.

Folks can choose from a assortment of interior designs, but cedar is commonly favored. The finest is Spanish cedar. Lastly, make certain you know the particular size of your favored cigars prior to you going out and buying a cigar humidor. If you don’t you may get home and discover you can not fit all of them in! Start using your cigar humidor as soon as you get it home so that your cigars will retain the best flavor and longest life.

If you’re new to cigars you may wonder if it’s really worth buying a cigar humidor. While many casual smokers may not feel the need for one, seasoned cigar enthusiasts will surely tell you that humidors are the ultimate accessory for a cigar aficionado. If you want to store or age your cigars then a quality humidor is a must.

Cigars are premium items and as such should be treated accordingly. Like wines, the true qualities of premium cigars are found in the subtleties of their flavors so to fully enjoy one it must be aged and stored properly. In order to do that you must store them in an environment suitable for aging. This is very important because of the fact that they will absorb the dampness and scents from the surrounding environment so you need to make sure that you control the environment you place your cigars in. If you don’t you run the risk of letting them dry out or absorb unwanted scents that will ruin them. The best way to control the environment that your cigars are in is by using a quality humidor.

Once you’ve decided to buy a humidor you will probably wonder what kind of humidor you should purchase. This isn’t always an easy question to answer because there are so many options out there. You can purchase a humidor in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes. While the appearance and size of a humidor are essential criteria when selecting one, don’t forget about the construction of your humidor. One item of utmost importance is the material that the inside of your humidor is lined with. Make sure it’s lined with Spanish Cedar. Many people claim that Honduran Mahogany works well, and this may be the case, but Spanish Cedar is the best wood for your cigars. This is because Spanish Cedar will not only retain moisture at optimum levels but also because it provides a subtle aroma that will complement the flavors of your cigars. It also has properties that prevent mold from growing and deter tobacco worms.

If you have decided to store your cigars or want to age them over time, your best option is to use a quality humidor. Should you choose to skip on buying a humidor, you may very well miss out of the best your cigars have to offer. Environmental elements could damage your cigars before you even have the opportunity to enjoy them. Cigar humidors are the accessory of choice for any cigar enthusiast.

Have you recently joined the cigar smoking fervor and wonder why do they need cigar humidors? You must be thinking that you had to buy a lighter after buying cigars and now other humidor accessories. This is because if cigars are not kept in better environment and properly, they adapt to the surroundings and they will not give the effect and satisfaction to the cigar smoker. On the other hand if the cigars are well kept in cigar humidors they remain well suited for long time.

Now, when you know why cigar humidors are important, you must be thinking about how to buy a good one so that you do not have to worry about the humidor accessories and the cigar again. Humidor is just a box that is used to keep cigars and it maintains the humidity inside the box as well. If you need to purchase humidors for your personal use, you need not worry about the size and buy the one that seems suitable for your use. The humidors contain hygrometer that maintains the humidity level to the right percentage. The idea percentage is 65 to 70 percent.

When you are filling up the cigar humidor, make sure you pack it full that is to the top so that there is no drop in the humidity percentage. When you have bought the humidor, do not put in the cigars immediately. You need to prepare the cigar humidor so that your cigars are well kept and well maintained to a longer period of time. Take a damp cloth first and wipe out all the dust and dirt inside the humidor. After this place a bowl of water inside it for 12 hours with the lid closed.

You have to see whether the water gets evaporated or not. If it gets evaporated, keep another bowl of water for next 12 hours and do this till the evaporation stops. Now your cigar humidor is ready for use and it will keep your cigars fresh and preserved as well as enhanced with their typical essence. Cigar humidors are important for a good cigar collection.

If you are someone who enjoys cigars, then you definitely require a humidor. A humidor is an essential item that will allow you to maintain the quality of your cigars. The storage box used for shipping cigars is meant for shipment only and will not keep your cigars in their best condition for a long time. Many cigars should be  stored for as long as six years before they reach their optimal smoking condition. If you don’t have a humidor, your cigars will likely spoil before you smoke them and you will not be able to age them as recommended.  Your cigars will quickly become dry, acquire an acidic taste and will burn unevenly.

The first thing you should decide while buying a humidor is the capacity you require and where you will place it. The size you choose will depend on whether you wish to keep it at home, in the office, at your club, or even if you wish to bring it along with you when you travel. Humidors with a capacity of twelve to twenty cigars are a good size for traveling as well for storage at your club. Humidors that hold up to 100 cigars should be fine for the home or office and can be placed on your desk or a shelf. If you have over three hundred cigars, then you should opt for a humidor cabinet to store them.

Once you have decided on the size of the humidor you are going to buy for your cigars, you should next focus on the materials and workmanship, making sure they are of good quality. The best  humidors are constructed in a way that allows maximum air circulation inside the humidor.  Travel-sized humidors are normally made from metal to protect not only the contents but the case as well from being ruined. The lining of the humidors should either be Honduran mahogany or Spanish cedar. Spanish cedar is a great option because it protects against tobacco worms and supports the cigar aging process.

A good humidor should be large enough to comfortably and loosely hold your cigars. If you have more than one type of cigar, you should choose a humidor with dividers so that the tastes don’t blend. Next you have to check that the box is well sealed when the lid is shut and that humidity does not escape from the box.

Almost every humidor includes a hygrometer and some type of humidification device. Maintaining the humidity of the cigars in very important. Dry cigars tend to become fragile and burn faster, and the cigar develops a bitter flavor. On the other hand, damp cigars burn slowly and unevenly and may have a heavy, acidic flavor.  The hygrometer may be either digital read-out or an analog dial that shows the humidity level inside the box. Both  methods function equally well.  As you can see many factors influence the purchase of a quality humidor, however it’s an important investment in order to preserve the quality of your cigars.