How to Store Cigars Without a Humidor

1. Gotham Cigars www.gothamcigars.com HOW TO STORE CIGARS WITHOUT A HUMIDOR! A cigar collection, in my opinion, compares to that luxury car that you love and refer to as a “she”. You like to make sure “she” is clean and waxed and never left in the sun for too long. Cigars require a similar level of care. You need to maintain specific levels of temperature and humidity to preserve their taste and freshness. Otherwise, your beloved collection of Camacho cigars, AVO cigars and other favorites will dry out or become too moist, which are both bad for the cigar. HOW HUMIDORS WORK A humidor  works by not only storing your cigars but also maintaining the ideal conditions for your cigars to age perfectly. It contains a humidifier, a hygrometer, and cedar wood. The humidifier is the source of moisture responsible for keeping up levels of humidity. The hygrometer is used to measure the levels of humidity versus the temperature to ensure your humidor stays within that sweet spot. HOW TO KEEP YOUR CIGARS FRESH WITHOUT A HUMIDOR It is important to note that these options are only temporary. If your cigar tendencies develop into a hobby, you will need to purchase an actual humidor. 1. Tupperware and Humidification Pouch Tupperware with humidification pouches can make for a great humidor but only if you have a few cigars to store. You can buy ordinary Tupperware from the store or use one from your kitchen. You must ensure that the lid is airtight so that moisture does not dissipate. For best results, use a propylene glycol solution. 2. Ziploc Bag and Sponge A Ziploc bag and a small sponge can keep your cigars fresh for a couple of weeks, tops. Again, this method only works if you have a few cigars. Take your cigars and place them inside your Ziploc bag. Wet, don’t soak, a small piece of sponge and place it next to the cigars ensuring they don’t touch. 3. Cooler A typical cooler can make the perfect humidor as long as the lid is air-tight. In fact, an ordinary cooler can be a great alternative to a humidor especially when you want to store cigars that cannot marry with the ones in your humidor. A well calibrated cooler can store cigars for the long haul. KEY POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND Unless you are dealing with a mold problem, do not store your cigars in the refrigerator. Refrigerators ultimately ruin cigars. Cigars that have dried out can be brought back to life by meticulous re-hydration. This is not a guarantee. Look out for over humidification. If you notice slight swelling at the foot of the cigar, you may have too much humidity. Airing the cigar for a few hours is fine. But if the cigar is soggy, it’s too far gone to rescue. A healthy cigar has a slight spring to it when lightly pressed. If the cigar appears to sag, bend or if it maintains the indentation, there’s too much moisture. If the wrapper makes a cracking sound, the cigar is dried out. Endeavour to balance the humidity versus the temperature for your cigars to age well. For every increase in humidity, the temperature needs to reduce in equal measure. For example, if the temperature goes up from 68 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, decrease the humidity from 70% to 68%. The passion for a sublime stogie creeps up on you without your notice. If you have been bitten by the bug, don’t let your Camacho cigars, AVO Cigars and other delicious treats waste away. As the adage goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Follow Us: @gothamcigars Gotham Cigars Gotham Cigars