The cigar shop

[ikethegreat]

You just leave it in there for a few days? 

One method I read about was putting water in a shot glass, boiling it in the microwave, then sticking the glass in the box to sit for two days. 

[exelr8]

Yeah you just let it sit there. As the moisture is released, it will be absorbed by the cedar. I'm pretty sure this will result in a constant humidity

[timot_one]

The shot glass method will work, but it is a bit slower. The damp sponge method is the same principle, but it increases the surface area. Another option is to buy a Boveda seasoning pack and just use that instead.

Here are a few things I would suggest when setting up your humidor:

1. DO NOT wipe down the inside of your humidor with a damp cloth. It will water log the Spanish cedar an cause it to expand and buckle. Basically, you will ruin your humidor.

2. Throw away the foam humidification device and analog hygrometer that comes with your humidor. These are cheaply made garbage.

3. Get a digital hygrometer that can be calibrated. Analog hygrometers are not acurate at all. Make sure you calibrate your hygrometer when you get it. It should come with instructions, but it is wasily done with the "salt test". I have Xikar hygrometers because they have a lifetime warrant and good customer service.

4. Get a good humidification device. There are different types that people swear by. Find what works best for you. I have been using Heartfelt beads and found them to regulate my humidors for long periods of time with no maintenance. Boveda packs are my choice for my travel humidor, but they are disposable, so they will require replacement every few months. The last option would be those gel beads. They're okay, but I have had a hard time regulating humidity with them.

5. Check to make sure it has a proper seal. You can use the "dollar bill" test or the "drop test" to see if you have a good seal. For those of you with glass top humidors, a big issue is the seal around the glass. Most people fix that with aquarium silicone. If its an issue with the seal on your lid (the lip on the lid), you can wedge thick paper in to the corners of that lip to tighten up that seal. Since these are inexpensive mass produced humidors, expect to spend some time fixing these issues. Remember, a good humidor costs $500 and up.

6. Open up a brand new sponge and soak it with distilled water ONLY. Wring it out so it is damp and not dripping. Place the sponge inside your humidor on either a plastic bag or small plate or saucer so the sponge is not touching the Spanish cedar. Also place your calibrated hygrometer and humidification device inside. Close the lid and let it sit 12-24 hours before checking the Rh.

7. Continue to re-dampen the sponge with distilled water. When it reaches and stabilizes to the desired humidity, remove the sponge from the humidor and continue to monitor for another 24 hours.

8. After your humidor has stabilized to your desired Rh, fill it up with sticks.

One thing to remember, the fuller your humidor is, the better it can regulate the humidity. There will be less fluctuation when you open and close the lid.

Cliff Notes:
don't wipe down with a damp cloth
only use distilled water (not filtered water or tap water)
get a digital hygrometer and proper humidification device
make sure you have a good seal
dampen sponge and place in humidor
monitor humidity every 12-24 hours
load with cigars after humidity has been regulated for at least a day

[ikethegreat]

Should I wait to purchase cigars until I get the humidor set up or will they be okay sitting out for a day or two?

[timot_one]

Are you going to purchase them locally?  The process to seasoning a humidor should take about 2-3 days depending on how long it takes to get the humidity up in your humidor.  Also, too much humidity is also a bad thing and can damage your cigars.  60-70% is the standard depending on personal preference.  You can also pick up a travel bag that has humidification to hold your cigars for a few days.  You can get those at a local shop usually.  It's basically a ziplock bag with a humidification device (like a Boveda pack) inside.  You can just use your own ziplock bag and buy a Boveda pack if you want though.

[ikethegreat]

No I was going to purchase them online.  I'll just wait until I get the humidor setup then. 

[timot_one]

Right on.  It may be worth it to wait.  If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up.  You have my number, right?

[ikethegreat]

Yeah I have it, thanks for the help so far. 

[timot_one]

No problem.  Hit me up if you have questions.

[accordguy04]

So I got my humidor set up and I have a question.  I went to put my cigars in and they are wrapped in plastic.  Do I take them out of the plastic or leave them in? Does it matter?

[exelr8]

Yes, you'll want them out if the plastic so they can absorb the necessary humidity

[gargantula99]

^ this!!

Damn impermeable plastic always ruining humidity absorption.

[accordguy04]

Lol. K thanks.  I'm holdin off, spongin my humidor for a day or two to be sure.

What's the deal with the "humidifier"? How often should I have to fill it?

(Sry, new to all this)

[exelr8]

Tim could better answer that one. It is a bit dependent upon how often you open the humidor and how well it seals. Boveda makes humidity packs for lazy people that keep a constant humidity.

Ill recommend what was recommended to me. Heartfelt beads are pretty maintenance free. JUST BE SURE TO USE ONLY DISTILLED WATER.

[ikethegreat]

So I got my humidor set up and I have a question.  I went to put my cigars in and they are wrapped in plastic.  Do I take them out of the plastic or leave them in? Does it matter?

I wondered the same thing and found this:

DO YOU REMOVE THE PLASTIC WRAPPER WHEN STORING IN A HUMIDOR?

Daily I get asked, should I remove the wrapper from my new cigars before I store them in my humidor? The simple answer, it doesn't matter.

I know, you are confused. You think that the plastic prevents the cigar from getting humidity. Believe me, I understand your confusion, but don't worry, I'll explain. Cigars are stored in what is called cellophane. The cellophane is used to prevent the cigars from being damaged, and deters against flavors mixing. But what many people don't know is that cellophane is actually a porous material. In other words, it allows humidity to pass through it.

Want an example? Take a cigar in the wrapper and leave it outside your humidor for a week. You might as well throw it away, it will be ruined. The wrapper didn't hold in the humidity, it did nothing at all really. So it isn't hard to see how the wrapper doesn't really affect the humidity of the cigar.

It comes down to personal preference. Some people like them on, some people like them off. The advantages of keeping them on is that your cigar flavors won't mingle as much, though you would be hard pressed to notice unless you were an expert. It also is great to cut your cigars with the wrappers on as it keeps the blade clean and sharp much longer.

http://www.cheaphumidors.com/faq.html