Finally someone who does it the correct-ish way. Let the wood absorb the water never wipe or soak the wood. Boveda packs seasoning works to but I prefer the Crystal or gel beads as they are easily rechargeable so no waste. The Boveda packs are great for maintaining a certain range with this same method and will release or absorb moisture as needed.
Having taken microbiology in college, I can tell you that if you do all of those steps with the distilled water and bare hands, the water is not distilled anymore. I'd use latex gloves during this process. It's just one more line of defense against mold spores, etc.
Paige Augusti I’ve had many arguments before stating exactly what you stated- I am glad I am finally able to back it up with someone who has knowledge ont the subject. thank you!
This distilled water comes with silver salts in it, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Distilled water is mainly used to not leave the scale deposits.
Just out of curiosity, how do the cigars affect/interact with the distilled properties? I know they're hand-rolled so would this not also theoretically contaminate the pureness of the moisture?
i've seen now two ways this guy has seasoned a humidor, I think i like this way the best and just brushing the lid with distilled to create a better seal like he shows in his other video
thanks for this video! I'm a cigar noob and I just ordered my first humidifier. I watched a video about how to condition it, and that video recommended I wiped the interior with a wet cloth. I thought to myself, "wait, no, that can't be right..." Then I came here and your video confirmed my suspicions. Although I'm slightly disappointed to hear that I can't throw my cigars into my new box for at least a week, I am happy to have the confidence in knowing that my humidor will be properly conditioned!
wow glad i watched this, I have never wiped mine as mentioned and saw where many do, so glad Mr K showed us other wise and yes if you are a woodworker you get this.
That's the 3rd video I'm watching. This guy leaves the sponge as long as possible, the last guy was - 'Don't you ever leave your sponge for more than 24 hrs' and the 3rd guy said sponges are stupid and not to use them at all and used a glass of water inside, and ofc there are the boveda guys - spend 40$ and we got you cool. Guess you do what you want as long you get it humid.
Another man that has it right. You DO NOT, wipe down the humidor with the sponge. I've lost 3 humidors by doing this in my beginner days 25 years ago. They are now all warped & curved like a hockey stick and are only good for putting in nails, bolts, small items of interest. Now I am buying another one. Just ordered it. Gary you have it right. Beautiful humidor. Great truthful knowledge. Like most things in life we have to do things a few times till we get it right. Learn the hard way. When the wood expands by wiping the humidor down with a sponge then you will not get an accurate reading on your hygrometer. This is because you are losing humidity and have a leak due to the warpage. You then have to go by how the cigars feel and smoke. If they are dry and likely that is the case, you'll need to add another moisture unit. The humidor needs to GRADUALLY moisten. When you wipe it down with a sponge, you speed up the process but then soak the wood too quickly and then you're guaranteed it will warp. I know from experience. Thanks Gary. My favourite Cigar Video. Short and right to the point. No extras. Also Gary how long do those crystals last? I would assume they have to be replaced? I've never used them before.
@@CigarAdvisorMagazine I just bought one today. One by a company called Brigham. Now I have to email them if that's possible to find out how long these things last?? No info in the info Sheet. Unbelievable.
So glad you said not to wipe down the humidor. Of course, the best way is to get the Boveda 84 packs. Lock them in the box for two weeks and you're ready. Works like a charm. Humidor is holding steady at 65f 67%
Finally! One of the best humidor prep videos I have seen. Most of not all apply water to the walls of the humidor which is definitely a bad idea. Asides from expanding, warping or whatever, it will become stubbly and rough as well. If I did not bump into this video I was going to make one myself. mero40k, how do you suggest we properly prepare the crystal humidification unit? Just a few seconds in a bowl of distilled water?
It seems most people still wet the cedar with a sponge. I tried it the other way sitting a wet sponge in there for 3 days. I can tell you that 3 days is not enough if going that route. It's been suggested 14 days to season properly. It's been 2 years now and I've reseasoned it this time by wiping down the cedar. They use Spanish cedar for the whole purpose of it absorbs water very well . So warping is not likely to happen unless you soak the crap out of it. I think this method works best as water just doesn't get absorbed enough the other way and then your always having to add humidity to your cigars as the humidor sucks it all up. This was my experience anyway.
Spanish cedar don't expands like plywood, you can wet the surface with a brush and let it suck the moisture with an open lid so it evaporates further, if you jave high humidoty it will soak in either way
So today I seasoned my humidor, by painting the inside wood of the lid with distilled water to help it create a good seal and by putting the sponge in my humidor on the plastic bag, wow within 5 minutes the humidity has shot up like crazy unreal I hope in 5 days she's good to go, it went from 64 to about 78 in minutes
I I just bought a humidor. I wiped it down with distilled water and placed the sponge in a bowl of distilled water let it sit in the humidor. I reached about 80% humidity in a day or two. So I took it out and used the humidifier it came with and put in Xhikar 70% solution. After 12 hours it read 70% so I was good. But then I put in 69% boveda packs in and keep getting a humidity level of 63-66%. I have enough packs for the amount of cigars it holds.
@@CigarAdvisorMagazine thanks. I just to oasis 4 hygrometer and am doing the boveda calibration test. The humidity temp is rising gradually. It’s been about 20 hours. Shouldn’t it have shown 75 within a few hours?
I agree with the seasoning method but humidifiers are old hat nower days, I use 69% 2 way Boveda humipaks they release or absorb moisture to keep the humidity constant
@@EctopicElm00707 This comment right there made me just get Boveda right now. Because I tried a couple of techniques the past 2 weeks and it keeps fluctuating when I try to maintain it at 69%. Thank you!
After what I"be been learning about start up. I don't if I automatically did the baggy or thought of it on my own. I actually heat up the sponge in a microwave on 30-60sec. 1st.It seem"s to spead thing's up.
Sounds interesting. I had no idea that hot water would act as a catalyst but I suppose any steam would work its way nicely into the cedar. Good one! Thanks. G-~
Won’t the plastic shield that wood from absorbing moisture. My humidor I just got is much smaller and I did what this video says, my sponge was a little less wet, that was 4 hours and I’m at 90%. Some sources say take it out at 24 hours and others say days or weeks. Is there a risk of ruining it?? I have some cigars in a ziplock waiting to go in and can’t wait to fill it up with more.
It should be fine. If you have issues, I would recommend using a Boveda pack to get the humidity at a solid 70%, the Boveda is a two way system so it will remove excess humidity. Hope that helps.
I've had the Barrel humidor with a place for the humidifier that goes underneath the tray. Just add a small humidifier for the tray? Gel. Is it better if the humidifier goes uptop. In the lid? Or is the bottom ok ?
Do i have do the spoge thing ? My information leaflet says put 1/2 cup salt, 1/4 water, mix them together put it in a zip lock bag with the hygrometer and leave it for 8 - 12 hours, shkuld get a reading of 75%. Then it just says fill the hummidifier and thats it
Had some Questions. I'm just starting to get into cigar smoking and found some cigars I like that I wanna buy in quantity. Would u suggest goin with a 50 count to start out with and also what brand is good? I like the ones that have tbe hygrometer on the outside so I can see what my humidity is. And if I buy the boveda packs do I still need to season the humidor? I recently watching watched a video by someone who mentioned putting an Boveda 84% 60 gram pack in for 2 weeks instead of seasoning it than goin down to a 65% 8 gram after you put ur cigars in.
We would recommend a 50 count to start with and would recommend wiping down the humidor and letting it sit for a few days, then add in two Boveda packs. we like using 69% Boveda packs.
I wemt to a cigar shop by me and asked this question b4 u responded. The guy told me if I went with a 50 count to have it at least 30 percent filled cause the humidor would suck the humidity up and to maintain the humidity around the winter time would be tough if I dint have it filled enough.. He mentioned for now just to get a travel humidor which I have and maybe a plastic container for ur flavor ones. He suggested I wait till I start smoking more to get a humidor. What's ur view on that is he right?
Hey Gary, got a question for you. I live in South Texas and our electric went out for over 15 hours. The temps are in the upper 90's today. My temp in my humidors got up to 86. I normally keep my smokes at about 66 to 68. The rh stayed at about 66 to 68 the whole time. So I'm asking is was the temps high enough and for long enough to have any concerns about beetles? The ac is back on but it's gonna take a while to get the temps back down. Thanks
Question about my 250 cigar electronic humidor. Temp set to 66F. Did the wipe down method then placed a sponge with distilled water in it for 24hr to season. Then took sponge out and place 320g 69%boveda and 5 10g 69%boveda in. 24 hr later will not go below 80% humidity on the top level of humidor bottom level ranges from 68-73%. Afraid if I put my cigars on top they will get mold. Anyone have a solution?
I would keep the humidor open for a day to get rid of some of that extra humidity. Then put the Boveda in for at least a week so the humidity throughout the humidor will regulate to 69%. Hope that helps.
@CigarAdvisorMagazine Really appreciate the response! I’ve been doing a lot of research online and couldn’t find anything. I’ll try your suggestion and let you know if it worked. Thanks.
How will you know when to re-hydrate the crystals? That's been my biggest challenge. I've started using the Boveda bags and it's tough to know when to drop a new bag in the humidor.
I have set up my humidor pretty much this way but it has been 4 days of seasoning and my humidity has only reach 79% is that ok or should I let it season longer.
I tried the same method Gary did and for some reason I’m still getting 85-90% after the seasoning is done. Anything I’m doing wrong? I don’t want my new cigars to get ruined. Thanks!
Hi I've tried to season my humidor, but I think my sponge was too wet as it has leaked off the plastic and onto the base of the humidor. How do I fix this now, as I have a big wet patch in my humidor
Using distilled water is no guarantee against mold. Actually tap water contains chlorine that prevents microbial growth and no, it will not affect the cigars. The myth about distilled water got started by the makers of the foam-type humidifiers. Problem: tap water has minerals and other impurities that tend to clog the vent holes of these humidifiers. Solution: clean the vents! Humidity is relative.....relative to the current temperature. It is important to maintain your humidor below the maximum temperature of 73°F (23°C) and between 65-74% humidity. Ideal conditions are 70°F (21°C) and 70% humidity. Having a digital hygrometer/thermometer is more accurate than an analogue device. Also, an analogue hygrometer can be calibrated, but most digital units cannot adjusted. The best gauge is to monitor the actual cigars. If the cigar yields to gentle pressure between the thumb and forefinger, perfect.
Great post, scotto330! I only began smoking cigars about a week ago but I've been reading any and everything I can about the different manufacturers as well as maintenance. I'm a nerd so anything I do, I have to do it right. I ordered an acrylic cigar jar today; just a little something to get me started. Your post definitely helped clear up some confusion I had about humidifiers. Thanks!
+scotto330 I have a very similar opinion to yours... If it comes to germ free water, also distilled water is not the right choice. It is not totally germ free. However, it also doesn't need to be for a reason like using it for a humidor. Because everytime you touch a cigar or open a humidor, germs will get in your humidor and on your cigars. You have germs and mold fungus on your hands and there are also some in the air. So if it is just a matter of germs, it would be enough to boil your tap water or bottled water to kill almost all of the germs. Distilled water is nothing more than that except that you catch the steam of the boiling water by letting it condensate on a surface and then collect it in a bottle. It is therefore also free of minerals for example. And I don't think that minerals affect the taste of a cigar that much, that it would ruin the flavor and enjoyment. Therefore you could buy bottled water with just little amounts of minerals in the first place and boil it then. Because the complete process of distillation is not totally germ free, however, it reduces such contaminants extremely. But if you boil tap or bottled water, you would also extremely reduce contaminants as germs and could use it for your humidifier. And even if you may use distilled water from the store or the pharmacy store, I would boil it before using it for the humidor. Just to be more safe...
There are 25 or 26 ppm of "junk" in good drinklng water. Over 250 parts in tap water. o in distilled water, your choice. NEVER have had mold except when i first started out,thought water was water. DAA
I have a humidor that hold's 25-50 stick's . a place for the humifier + hydrometer are fit to be side by side. should I just put double sided tape + reposition the hydrometer to a corner. There's only Velcro on the humidifier. No metal/magnet on either. My hydrometer only has double sided tape. It can't be removed. Without redoing the tape. ps: Does it matter what direction the cigar's sit in the humidor? How come the humidor comes with only one of the humidifier's. the rectangle 1's. How long should I use the foam before replacing it with the gel type? is it better to have a fan that goes in for circulation or an electric 1 with the fan. It stem's I alway"s have to reseason the humidor or adding juice or distilled water weekly.
OK, let's take these one at a time: As for the hygrometer, it's OK if it sits in the prefab holder. It probably won't make that much difference in the long run as they are only accurate within +/- 2 points. RE direction of your cigars: No matter at all. Whatever configuration works best for you based on size and number is fine. RE the factory humidifier: That's just a choice of the manufacturer. I'm surprised they included such a large unit for that box, but I say, the more the merrier. It's easier to keep the humidity down rather than up. As for replacing it with a gel crystal unit, do it now. No use waiting for something that's better in the first place. RE a fan: For a smaller humidor, not necessary, but when you get into the 100 ct. boxes and higher, highly recommended. RE re-seasoning/refilling too often: Either not enough distilled water seeped into the walls when you seasoned it in the first place; you have a leaky humidor; the humidor is in a spot where lamp or sunlight is shining on it for so many hours a day, you're not filling the humidifier completely. The big question is, do the cigars feel dry? If not, could be the hygrometer. That about covers it. Anything else, message me through Facebook at facebook.com/CigarAdvisor G-~
I'll have cigars arriving the same day as my first humidor, what on earth do I do while it's seasoning? Getting a bovedia EZ seasoning kit that takes 7-14 days!
A ziplock baggie, large enough to hold the cigars and a Boveda 69 will keep them good for quite a while. Certainly long enough to get your new humidor ready.
I'm learning how to season a humidor and have watched a few videos, but there's one thing I'm not too clear on. After waiting the few days for the humidor to reach 85% humidity would you: a) throw your cigars in there and let the cigars absorb the moisture and they will bring your humidor down to about 70% humidity (like this guy says)? or.. b) wait until the humidity comes back down to 70% before you put your cigars in? Like the Thompson cigar guy says? Thanks for any info you guys can provide!
I have the same question. I only watched this video just now and had already followed the advice of the others by wiping down the walls. Now I'm on day 2 and when I opened it I was at like 86... After opening it a bit and taking the (now dry) sponge out, it came down to about 73.. Should I go ahead and put my cigars in or wait longer or what?
This guy knows what's up. How is this even on your channel? I feel like you totally outsourced this one. Is that even legal? He knows that humidor sh*t tho!!
While I'm seasoning my humidor, where do I store my 75 cigars? I have a neighbor who stores his cigars in his fridge. What's the best temporary storage idea for my cigars while I'm waiting for the seasoning to take effect?
Never never NEVER store cigars in a refrigerator. That is a very dry climate and will desiccate your cigars in short order. Just put them in ziploc bags or tupperware containers or anything similar. They'll be fine for a few days. You can always put a humidification device in there with 'em.
As needed. If you are noticing that you are having trouble keeping the RH up, especially during winter or any dry season, you may want to re-season. If you are easily maintaining ~65% humidity (or wherever your desired sweet spot is), then don't sweat it.
paulied31 not if the needles plastic dumbfuck. and thats why it has to be farther away and the magnets already holding the crystal so it wouldnt have as much strength to hinder the alignment of the hygrometer.
The humidifiers and hygrometers that come with humidors are garbage!!!! Toss them out !!!! Just place a few shot glasses full of distilled water until it's around 85 rh determined by a digital hygrometer you can get for about $20 on Amazon.... this is just too much work
