Cigar Storage [newbie]

[Tri-Tip]

Purchased a couple inexpensive ($8.00) cigars. I don't have a humidor, but the store put them in a fairly heavy gauge zip-lock. Where should I store them? I have a wine-chiller that's about 64 degrees, would that be better than just in a dark cupboard?

[GerardoG]

Temperature is an enemy to cigars but humidity has a more agressive take on them. Factories store them in 25-30c rooms (no direct sunlight please) but humidity has to be in the 65-72% range. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity will make the cigar wrappers crack.

If you do mot have a humidor, moisten (distilled water) a sponge or cotton ball, store it in the bag with the cigars but do NOT allow water nor the sponge/ball to touch the cigars. This will keep cigars humid.

If you are serious about cigars, there are many inexpensive humidors that can be bought online or at your local cigar shop. Oh, and please post pics when you fire up!

[angd5791]

I would say your best bet, depending how much you want to get into it, is either turn your wine chiller into a wineadoor which is fairly easy or buy a small herf-a-dor. Cuban crafters makes a good desk top traditional humidor. It's quite easy to make a wineador you just need some Spanish cedar and some humidity beads. There are a number of forums to help

[Sixshooter]

I have always heard you can toss a small piece of bread or a orange peel in the ziplock with your sticks. Never tried it though. Think that would work??

[NYMike]

moist paper towel inside an open ziplock (or other small open plastic bag) placed inside another larger ziplock with the cigars inside and closed. Keep cool (the 64 degrees is good, 68 is the standard). If it's just a few, no big deal, they will be fine. Open the bag and let the moisture out regularly. You don't want them to rot. Good idea is to let them dry out a little before smoking (like a few hours).

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Sixshooter

I have always heard you can toss a small piece of bread or a orange peel in the ziplock with your sticks. Never tried it though. Think that would work??

You will have the aromas on your cigars...not a good idea

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Temperature is an enemy to cigars but humidity has a more agressive take on them. Factories store them in 25-30c rooms (no direct sunlight please) but humidity has to be in the 65-72% range. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity will make the cigar wrappers crack.

If you do mot have a humidor, moisten (distilled water) a sponge or cotton ball, store it in the bag with the cigars but do NOT allow water nor the sponge/ball to touch the cigars. This will keep cigars humid.

If you are serious about cigars, there are many inexpensive humidors that can be bought online or at your local cigar shop. Oh, and please post pics when you fire up!

Agree
Although if you don't want to buy a humidor, the wine chiller will be ok (but not ideal) short term as you have a good mix of low temp and relatively high humidity.

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by Sixshooter

I have always heard you can toss a small piece of bread or a orange peel in the ziplock with your sticks. Never tried it though. Think that would work??

Big no no IMO.

Even different cigars touching each other in the same humidor can result worst case in marrying of flavours or best case the wrapper leaves on your cigars may all smell similar. And you don't want either of these as you will get a FrankenCigar

[Sixshooter]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

Big no no IMO.

Even different cigars touching each other in the same humidor can result worst case in marrying of flavours or best case the wrapper leaves on your cigars may all smell similar. And you don't want either of these as you will get a FrankenCigar

Good point, makes sense to me. Thank you and Gerardo, I will definatley not be trying that little trick!

[TSW]

If you don't have more then 10 sticks at the time, i would recommend you too get a good quality travel humidor.

https://www.xikar.com/products/conta...avel-humidors/

Then get a bigger home humidor later on when you get more hooked

[Ticking Away]

Ask your local cigar store for a humidification packet. At most they may charge you $2. It will help regulate the humidity.

Something like this:
http://xikar.com/products/humidifica...umistore-bags/

HTH
Tim

[Tri-Tip]

I think I'll just smoke them this weekend and get it over with!

[fliphandywork]

Here is my solution to cigar storage. I converted a 60 bottle WineVault into the humidor that holds 1100+ cigars. I used humidification beads to keep a constant humidity of 65%. Temperature is about 68 degrees. I use battery powered fans to keep the air moving.

[Watchonisto]

[colpol]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I think I'll just smoke them this weekend and get it over with!

That was what I was going to say

Where I stay - there's a good cigar shop fairly locally. Buy & smoke within a week. Problem solved !

I think the humidor are for the really serious guys. I know the place in glasgow sells special bags that are suppose to make do for short periods of time

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Temperature is an enemy to cigars but humidity has a more agressive take on them. Factories store them in 25-30c rooms (no direct sunlight please) but humidity has to be in the 65-72% range. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity will make the cigar wrappers crack.

If you do mot have a humidor, moisten (distilled water) a sponge or cotton ball, store it in the bag with the cigars but do NOT allow water nor the sponge/ball to touch the cigars. This will keep cigars humid.

If you are serious about cigars, there are many inexpensive humidors that can be bought online or at your local cigar shop. Oh, and please post pics when you fire up!

This would be the correct course of action. Also to make your own humidor:

Buy a wooden cigar box with cedar intact
Buy a humidity gauge
Buy a humidifier of some sort (plant foam, humipaks, etc)

Wipe the entire inside of the box with distilled water and allow it to soak-in (repeat 3-4 times)
Fill your humidifier and place in box with gauge

Allow the humidity level to settle around 75 over the course of a few days.
Then, add your cigars and give them time to acclimate to the new environment.

After a few days, enjoy!

Total investment? 30-40 bucks instead of 200+

[SCSportsman]

Do you have any old coolers sitting around? They make decent humidors.

Just google "coolerdor" and you'll see plenty.

[rainman_16]

Inexpensive solution - tupperware with a humi pak or plant oasis to help maintain humidity. Always use distilled water. Keep out of sunlight and try to store in a cooler part of your home, around 65-70F

[NYMike]

Originally Posted by Jessewest

Here is my solution to cigar storage. I converted a 60 bottle WineVault into the humidor that holds 1100+ cigars. I used humidification beads to keep a constant humidity of 65%. Temperature is about 68 degrees. I use battery powered fans to keep the air moving.

Nice box - Did you change the shelves to cedar, or are those the original?

I have a large humidor I bought about 15 years ago which is great, but I changed the humidification to one of these

Works great.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by colpol

That was what I was going to say

Where I stay - there's a good cigar shop fairly locally. Buy & smoke within a week. Problem solved !

I think the humidor are for the really serious guys. I know the place in glasgow sells special bags that are suppose to make do for short periods of time

Jesse has a cigar shop - why not shop there.

Nice work Jesse.