How to Keep Cigars Fresh at Home Without Humidor

by jay | Updated on January 26th, 2023

Do you love a good cigar? Do you want to enjoy them at home without buying a humidor?

If so, then this blog post is for you! We’ll cover how to keep cigars fresh and flavorful without investing in an expensive humidor. Read on to learn more about the best ways to store your cigars at home!

Find an Airtight Container

If you don’t have a humidor, your cigars can go bad. The first step to keeping your cigars fresh at home is to find an airtight container. This should be made of a material that will not absorb moisture, like glass or metal.

It should also be large enough to store several cigars at once. If you don’t have a container of the right size, you can use a Ziploc bag or a sealable plastic container to store your cigars in.

Ensure the container is completely sealed and that no air can escape. This is important for maintaining the right amount of humidity for your cigars.

Choose the Right Size Container

When selecting an airtight container to store your cigars without a humidor, choosing the right size is important. An oversized container will increase the amount of air inside, which can quickly dry out the cigars.

On the other hand, a container that’s too small can cause the cigars to be over-humidified and lead to mold growth. The ideal size of the container should be slightly larger than the number of cigars you plan to store. This will create a snug fit and help keep the cigars fresh.

Choose a Suitable Location

No matter what type of container you choose to keep your cigars, it’s important to find a suitable location to store them. You want to find a place away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which can cause cigars to dry out.

Ideally, the location should stay around 70°F and 70% humidity. If you’re using a humidor, you should also ensure enough air circulation in the area to keep the humidity level consistent.

You also want to avoid storing cigars in places with strong odors and aromas, as the cigar can absorb these.

Create a Humidity Pack

Creating the right environment for your cigars is essential to keeping them fresh. One way to do this is to create your humidity pack. This simple process can be done with just a few household items.

First, get a small airtight container and fill it with distilled water. Next, take a Ziploc bag and place it inside the container.

Then, take a piece of a clean, damp sponge and place it inside the Ziploc bag.

Combining the airtight container, the damp sponge, and the distilled water will create the perfect environment for cigars.

You can then check the humidity level regularly with a hygrometer to make sure it’s at the optimal level.

Check the Humidity Level Regularly

Once you’ve set up your airtight container and humidity pack, it’s important to check the humidity level of your cigars regularly. Too much humidity can cause your cigars to become soggy and lose flavor, while too little can dry them out.

To check the humidity level, you can use a hygrometer, a small device that measures the relative humidity of your cigars.

Alternatively, you can use your finger as a gauge – if the cigars feel dry, the humidity is too low, and you need to add more moisture to the container. If the cigars feel too moist, the humidity is too high, and you need to reduce the moisture in the container.

Use Cedar Paper to Help Retain Moisture

Cedar paper is a great way to help keep your cigars fresh without a humidor. Cedar paper provides a great way for moisture to be retained. It also acts as a natural insect repellent, which helps keep your cigars away from unwanted pests.

To use cedar paper, place a sheet between two cigars, or wrap it around each cigar individually. This will help maintain a consistent moisture level and protect the cigars from potential insect infestations.

Additionally, cedar paper can be used to line the interior of a box or other container to help maintain humidity levels.

Rotate Your Stash of Cigars Regularly

Rotating your stash of cigars regularly is essential to keep them fresh. The same cigars can stay in the same place for a while, but if you want to maintain the quality and flavor of your cigars, you should rotate them every two to three weeks.

Doing this will help keep them from drying out and losing their flavor. When rotating your stash of cigars, move the cigars to a different area of your airtight container to ensure that they are exposed to the same humidity.

Also, you should be mindful of the cigars in the container for the longest period and move those to the front of the container for rotation. This will help ensure that each cigar has a chance to experience the same humidity levels.

Keep Away from Pungent and Aromatic Foods

Keeping your cigars away from spicy and aromatic foods is important to maintain the freshness of your cigars. Cigars are highly absorbent, so your cigars can easily absorb any strong smells from nearby foods.

It is also important to keep your cigars away from any smoke or strong odors, as these can also affect the flavor of your cigars. Storing your cigars in a separate airtight container away from any strong aromas or smells is the best way to keep them fresh.

You should also make sure to regularly check the humidity levels of your cigars, as this will help prevent them from drying out.

Be Wary of Using Refrigerators and Freezers

You should never use a refrigerator or a freezer when storing cigars without a humidor. These appliances’ extreme temperatures and humidity levels can cause your cigars to dry out and ruin the flavor.

Even a standard kitchen refrigerator can cause your cigars to dry out if stored too long. It is best to avoid using any refrigeration or freezer when storing your cigars without a humidor.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! With these easy-to-follow tips, you can keep your cigars fresh without the need for a humidor.

jay

Self proclaimed cigar expert. I've been smoking since 2010. I've practically lived at a cigar lounge from 10am to 10pm and trying every new cigar that came out for years.