Although humidors are extremely helpful with keeping your cigars tasting fresh, they can come with a fair share of problems. To add insult to injury, you can’t always detect an issue with your humidor directly.
At Cigar Amigo, we’ve taken a closer look at what to do if you have a humidor not holding humidity. So, you’ve come to the right place if you can’t get your container sealed.
Continue reading below to learn how to keep your container sealed, and a few other common humidor issues.
Why Won’t My Humidor Stay Humid?
Humidors are sealed containers that are designed to keep your cigars at a desired humidity level. As a result, it can be incredibly frustrating if you can’t keep your humidor at the right humidity level.
That said, humidor leaks aren’t uncommon. If you’ve seasoned your humidor and it still isn’t working properly, chances are you have a leak.
Leaks can be a consequence of poor design work, weather changes, or any other damages your container may incur. No matter the cause of the leak, you need to get it sealed so the cigars inside remain moist and delicious.
What Do You Do if Your Humidor Is Not Humid Enough?
Make Sure You Hygrometer Is Calibrated
The first step if you notice your container isn’t holding its moisture is to see if you have an accurate humidity reading. Uncalibrated hygrometers are a common problem for those who love cigars, since they can be incredibly inaccurate.
These accessories are no strangers to a broken gauge, so always double check you’ve calibrated your hygrometer:
- Put 1 teaspoon of salt inside a bottle cap and slowly pour a few drops of distilled water inside. You only want to dampen the salt, not fully submerge it. Salt mixed with distilled water will have humidity of 75% whenever placed inside a sealed container.
- Place your device and damp salt solution inside a sealed container or Ziploc bag.
- Let both sit for about 6 to 12 hours.
- Check the gauge to see if you have a reading of 75% humidity. If not, you’ll need to calibrate your device using the dial.
Check for a Leak
The next thing you should do if your container doesn’t have proper humidity levels is perform a diagnosis to see if you have a leak. This way, you’ll know whether you need to fully repair your container or get a new one.
You can check for a leak using the dollar bill method. It’s easiest and most affordable test is the dollar bill method. It works well with desktop cigar containers and can be done in a few minutes.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Grab a dollar bill and make sure it’s flat
- Place half the bill inside your humidor and close it
- Slightly pull on the bill to feel for resistance (if it slides out easily, there’s a leak)
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 on all sides of the container
If the dollar bill slides out without any effort, chances are the air is getting out as well.
Humidor Repair
If you notice your humidor isn’t keeping the right humidity levels, don’t throw it away just yet. You can perform some minor humidor contents maintenance before you waste money on a new container.
How Do I Raise the Humidity in My Humidor?
If the humidity inside your humidor is too low for extended periods, you’ll end up with dry cigars. Here’s what you can do to prevent this:
- Make Sure Your Humidor Is Seasoned. Seasoning a humidor is surprisingly simple. Wet a cloth using distilled water and gently wipe all the surfaces inside your container. Leave the wet cloth in an empty cellar and give the Spanish cedar wood time to absorb all the moisture.
- Add Distilled Water To The Humidifier. The humidifier is the component that regulates the humidity inside your humidor. Add water to the humidifier and place it inside your container. The liquid will evaporate and provide humidity for your cigars.
- Keep It Closed. Although it may be tempting to constantly stare and honor your cigars, try to avoid opening the humidor unless necessary. Opening it too much allows the humidity to escape and could lead to dry cigars.
How To Seal a Humidor?
If you’ve found that you can’t get your humidor sealed, don’t worry. Minor leaks are usually easy to fix. You don’t have to go out and buy a new expensive cigar box unless you truly believe you can’t fix it on your own.
To fix the leak, you’ll need to pick up some food grade silicone. You can find it at any popular hardware store.
Here’s how to fix the leak:
- Remove all your cigars and place them inside a Ziploc bag along with a Boveda pack (this will keep them fresh for a couple days).
- Line the interior of your humidor using the food grade silicone.
- Keep the lid open and let the silicone cure for a few days.
- Insert your humidifier and humidity reader back inside and let it sit for 24 hours.
- Place your cigars back inside.
How Do I Keep My Humidor Humid at 70?
Now that you know the importance of having your humidity levels in check, how do you maintain 70 degrees in every season? Whether the season is cold or warm, your cigars need to maintain the same humidity.
Begin by trying the following process:
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Too much solar heat is an easy way to end up with dry cigars. Premium cigars are full of essential oils, which break down quickly under direct sunlight. Moreover, the sun can warp the wood and prevent the lid from closing.
Keep It Away From Heaters and Air Conditioners
Although these appliances are necessary for keeping you comfortable, they don’t necessarily have the same effect on your cigars. Too much fluctuation in temperature can cause your cigar collection to dry out.
Put It in the Basement
If you live somewhere that has a moderate climate, the basement is an excellent place to put your cigar humidor. Basements are insulated by the earth, so they tend to have a consistent temperature and humidity level. Furthermore, they aren’t as dry as other rooms.
Conclusion
It can be incredibly frustrating if your humidor isn’t keeping the right amount of dampness. Whether you’re dealing with dry or wet cigars, nobody likes to find their favorite stogies ruined by the weather.
That said, the information above will help fill and date your cigar box with the right conditions all year round.
