How to season a humidor properly is essential for cigar aficionados who want to preserve their cigars’ flavor and prevent them from drying out. A quality humidor recreates a tropical storage environment, typically around 70–75% relative humidity and about 68–70°F. To work correctly, a new humidor, whether a classic cedar-lined box or a modern electronic model, must be seasoned or broken in. Knowing how to season a humidor properly is the first step to preserving your cigars’ flavor and preventing dryness.
Before you season a humidor, gather the right equipment and supplies. At minimum, you’ll need: a humidification device (foam unit, gel, beads, or packs), an accurate hygrometer (for measuring humidity), distilled water or a 50/50 propylene glycol (PG) solution, and a clean sponge or cloth. A digital or analog hygrometer should be calibrated (often using a salt-test or calibration kit) so you know the readings are accurate ,this can take several hours.
Set up in a clean, cool room (around 65–70°F) away from direct heat or sunlight. Many experts recommend keeping the humidor on a steady surface and out of drafts to avoid rapid temperature swings.
Proper seasoning ensures that the humidor’s wood lining (often Spanish cedar) is fully hydrated. This typically takes 3–5 days, although some cigar lovers extend the process up to two weeks for a more gradual break-in. The goal is to raise the box’s humidity into the mid-70s before loading any cigars. Follow these steps with a traditional humidifier:
Calibrate the Hygrometer. If you haven’t done so already, calibrate your hygrometer first so its readings are reliable.
Prepare the Humidifier. Remove the humidification element (e.g. foam insert or beads) and saturate it with distilled water or a PG solution. Propylene glycol solution is often used for initial seasoning because it helps prevent over-humidification and mold.
Dampen the Interior. Lightly wipe or mist the inside surfaces of the humidor with distilled water. Then place a clean sponge (not dripping wet) inside the box – on a plastic bag or dish to protect the wood. Also put the charged humidifier inside.
Close the Lid and Wait. Shut the humidor and leave it undisturbed. After about 3–5 days, check the hygrometer. It should be near 75–80% RH. If it’s still low, you can re-wet the sponge and humidifier and keep waiting. Some woods (or larger boxes) may need more time, but gradually increasing to ~75% RH is the key.
Re-Check and Continue. Once the gauge reads ~75–80%, the wood is seasoned. You can remove the sponge and prepare to fill the humidor with cigars.
After seasoning (with the hygrometer steady at ~75% RH), the humidor is ready to hold cigars.
Using Boveda packs is a popular method for how to season a humidor with less guesswork.These packs both release and absorb moisture to maintain a set RH. To season, place the recommended number of 84% RH seasoning packs (roughly one 60g pack per 25–50 cigar capacity) in the empty humidor. Close the lid and leave them for about 14 days.
After two weeks, check the hygrometer: it should be in the low 80s RH. Remove the 84% packs and replace them with 69% or 72% RH packs for regular storage. Then fill the humidor with your cigars, filling at least half full is ideal, but leave about 20% of the box empty so air can circulate. Place the new 69–72% packs among the cigars (Cigars International recommends about one 60g pack per 25 cigars).
Humidification packs like Boveda make seasoning easy by holding the humidor at a precise RH. For example, one 84% pack will saturate the wood in roughly two weeks; then you swap it for 69–72% packs before adding cigars. These packs automatically emit or absorb water to maintain their target humidity, removing much of the guesswork.
Once seasoned, stock the humidor with cigars. Arrange them loosely rather than cramming them tightly. It’s best to start filling slowly; load up to half capacity first, then let the humidity stabilize, and finally fill to full (keeping ~20% free space). Extra space allows air and moisture to reach every cigar, so avoid stacking cigars flat on top of each other if possible. As Cigar Aficionado notes, it’s better to allow some air to circulate between sticks than to pack them so tightly that moisture can’t reach all sides.
How you organize cigars is up to you: some people sort by wrapper color or strength (e.g. “claros” on one side, “maduros” on another), while others use a first-in-first-out rotation so older cigars get smoked first. The key is that the cigars aren’t pressed rigidly against each other. You can also optimize space by using accessories, for example, a Boveda holder attaches packs to the lid, freeing shelf room.
In a typical cedar humidor, cigars rest on trays or dividers with the humidifier/packs in the center or lid. Elevating the humidification pack (as shown) frees up shelf space and promotes airflow. This setup keeps cigars organized while letting moisture circulate evenly.
After learning how to season a humidor, regular maintenance is essential to keep it working properly.
Maintaining proper humidity and temperature is an ongoing task. Aim to keep the humidor around 65–72% RH and 65–70°F for daily storage. Once the humidor is seasoned and loaded, check the hygrometer periodically (most recommend monthly checks). If humidity drops below about 65–68%, refill your humidifier or replace packs. If it climbs above ~72%, you can briefly open the lid or remove the humidifier until it falls back into range.
Regular checks and care are vital aspects of how to season and maintain your cigar humidor effectively.
Other maintenance tips include:
Use Distilled Water or Solution. Always use distilled (demineralized) water or a proper humidor solution in your humidifier. Never use tap water – its minerals can clog the humidifier and encourage mold.
Calibrate Regularly. Check or recalibrate your hygrometer every few months so you trust its readings. An analog gauge can drift, so a quick salt-test calibration or digital reset ensures accuracy.
Rotate Cigars. Every week or two, turn or move the cigars so those closest to the humidifier move away. This prevents uneven humidity and lets every cigar age uniformly.
Clean Occasionally. Every few months, remove all cigars and wipe the interior with a soft cloth dampened in distilled water. Do not use alcohol or harsh cleaners. This removes dust or residue and keeps the wood fresh. Let the box dry fully before returning cigars.
Check the Seal. Ensure the humidor lid closes tightly. You can test this by placing a small piece of paper or a dollar bill between lid and body; if it slides out too easily, the seal may need tightening with humidor cement or new gaskets. A good seal helps stabilize humidity.
Mind the Environment. Keep the humidor in a stable indoor spot. Avoid placing it near heat sources, direct sunlight, or AC vents. Sudden temperature swings (like turning on a heater or cooler) can make humidity harder to regulate.
By following these steps – proper seasoning followed by regular checks – your cigars will stay plump and flavorful. (As a general rule, if a cigar feels a bit oily, the conditions are likely just right.) In most cases, simple care keeps a humidor running smoothly; if you ever see mold or beetles, act quickly (clean mold with distilled water; freeze beetle-infested cigars as a remedy).
Mastering how to season a humidor along with proper maintenance will ensure your cigars stay fresh and flavorful for years.
StogieHub is your source for premium humidor gear and more. Our Humidors category on StogieHub features a curated selection of cigar storage boxes , from handcrafted Spanish-cedar humidors (by brands like Davidoff, Camacho, Avo, etc.) to modern travel safes (including high-tech models). Likewise, if you have a humidor or cigar accessory to sell, you can list it on StogieHub to reach fellow cigar enthusiasts.
In summary, the key to a perfect cigar collection is a well-seasoned humidor and consistent maintenance. By carefully seasoning the wood, keeping humidity in range, and periodically rotating and cleaning, your cigars will remain fresh and ready to enjoy.
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