How Do Cigar Humidors Work: Secrets to Keeping Your Cigars Fresh and Flavorful

When you have carefully purchased some premium cigars, the real test is only just beginning: how to recreate that perfect storage environment at home so that they still maintain a rich aroma and smooth taste when smoked. This is exactly the magic of a cigar humidor. Although you can also use traditional methods to store cigars, I believe using a cigar humidor saves me a lot of time, and the cigars stored inside retain better flavor. This is why I feel more satisfied owning a good cigar humidor; it’s part of the enjoyment of savoring cigars, isn’t it? Therefore, today I will share in this article how cigar humidors work to help you better understand them!

What is the 75 rule for cigars?

I believe the 75 Rule is a more modern supplement to the traditional "70/70 Rule." Cigars grown in different regions have different production and storage methods. This is why more and more people are storing their cigars according to the 135 Rule. The 75 Rule generally refers to keeping the relative humidity around 75% when storing cigars,

This is because raising the humidity to 75% for a short time helps the leaves absorb water and minimizes the possibility of fractures emerging when they dry out. After that, the humidity should be brought back to the daily storage range of 65–70% so that the cigars keep moist but don't get too wet. Putting cigars immediately into a sealed 65% RH environment would make the leaves soak up water too quickly, which would cause "shock-induced" cracks. This is because the western United States is always dry, and the humidity inside can be as low as 5%. Pre-conditioning at 75% RH protects the leaf structure and reduces damage.

Moreover, when the relative humidity exceeds 75%, the tobacco leaves of the cigars we store will expand excessively, which may cause the wrapper to crack and lose tobacco oil, thereby reducing the taste of the cigar. In addition, excessive humidity will also cause mold to grow on the cigar's root and wrapper, seriously damaging the quality of the cigar. I know this is definitely not what you want.

Therefore, 75% relative humidity is definitely a key adjustment point at this time. It can maintain the integrity of the tobacco leaf structure and flavor while avoiding various problems caused by over-humidification.

What types of humidifiers are available for cigar humidors?

Systems for Passive Humidification

Passive humidification is the most popular and conventional way to keep a cigar humidor's humidity level stable. It does this by slowly releasing moisture through evaporation:

The simplest method is to use a food-grade sponge or closed-cell foam block as the carrier for distilled water. The sponge or foam is completely soaked with mineral-free distilled water. Then put it into the humidor.

Solutions of Propylene Glycol (PG) with Distilled Water: Propylene glycol functions as a 70% humidity buffer and is frequently combined at a 50/50 ratio. This mixture has antibacterial and antifungal qualities that prevent mold and tobacco beetles, in addition to stabilizing relative humidity by fending off swings.

Mineral salt-covered silica gel beads, for example, Boveda Pack: These humidity beads are packaged in sealed bags and are constructed of food-grade natural mineral salts, high-purity silica gel beads, and thickeners. They can control humidity in both directions, automatically taking in or letting out extra moisture as humidity declines, and keeping it between 69% and 72% RH.

Systems for Active Humidification

Active humidification is a more technological approach for larger humidors or those who want precise control:

Electronic and ultrasonic humidifiers include a fan system and a humidity sensor built in. If the RH in the room drops below the predetermined target, the gadget turns on and sends out a fine mist throughout the humidor. Ultrasonic technology makes very small water droplets, usually around 12 microns across. This allows the mist to spread evenly

Don't underestimate them; these atomizers use high-frequency vibrations to turn distilled water into a very fine mist. Different types of cigar humidors employ different types of nebulizers, of course.

Small Cedar Boxes and Desktop Cigar Cabinets: For cedar boxes or desktop cabinets that hold only a few liters, small ultrasonic nebulizers or battery-powered micro-membrane nebulizers are best. Ultrasonic nebulizers are small and make fine mist particles. They can be hidden in the sidewalls or base. Micro-membrane nebulizers force water droplets through microporous membranes with particle sizes of 10 to 20 μm, which makes the spraying more "active." Both types may be put anywhere in the cabinet to quickly raise the humidity in a limited area, and they can be connected to small blowers or air ducts to get rid of dead areas.

Large Walk-in Cigar Rooms: If you have a walk-in cigar storage area that is between tens and hundreds of square meters, you should use a centralized integrated nebulizer system with duct design and different air outlet layouts to make sure there are no "dead zones" in the area. The main unit throws out a fine mist that ring-shaped or zonal air ducts disseminated evenly. You may change the airflow at each outlet by using an adjustable damper. This method works with cabinets that control the humidity level within ±1% RH. When utilized with a smart centralized monitoring platform, it can control humidity in different places.

How does the humidification system in a humidor work?

Humidity Monitoring Using Sensors

The electronic humidifier has a very precise digital capacitive sensor that is noted for quickly responding and measuring relative humidity (RH) accurately. The sensor keeps an eye on the humidity in the cigar box and delivers an analog or digital signal to the control unit. The control unit turns on the humidity system when the humidity drops below a certain level (typically 70%). The humidifier stops working when the humidity gets to the right level.

Water Tank and Humidifier System

To keep minerals from building up, the electronic humidifier usually has a sealed water reservoir that is filled with distilled water. There are other ways to humidify the air. The most common one is to use a tiny fan to blow air over the water's surface to release moisture. This is called active humidification. Another approach uses ultrasonic vibration to make a water mist that is only a few nanometers wide. This lets the water evaporate quickly without making Next, the internal fan in the humidor begins circulating the air inside the humidor, accelerating the diffusion of water vapor throughout the humidor.

Digital display and control panel

High-end electronic humidifiers let users regulate the humidity levels exactly with the help of a digital display and control panel. The levels may normally be changed between 60% and 75% or more. Users can see temperature and humidity data in real time. Some types work with smart home systems since they can be controlled from afar via Bluetooth or WiFi. And the most interesting feature, I think, is the built-in water level sensor, which may send a water refill signal regularly, allowing me to add distilled water immediately.

https://muxiangcigar.com/how-do-cigar-humidors-work-secrets-to-keeping-your-cigars-fresh-and-flavorful/