If you're a cigar enthusiast, you know that a well-maintained humidor is essential for preserving the flavor and quality of your cigars. But before you can store your prized stogies, you need to season your humidor. Seasoning a cigar humidor is the process of preparing it to maintain the right humidity level, ensuring your cigars stay fresh and flavorful. 

Why Seasoning a Cigar Humidor is Important?

Through the survey, we found that the most frequently asked topic is, "How long will a cigar last in a humidor?" The answer is indefinitely. However, there is a prerequisite. The cigars must be stored in the right humidity. But a high-quality humidor is also an indispensable factor. It does require patience and carefulness. All this requires us to season the humidor. Below, we outline the necessary steps to prepare a new humidor. First, we focus on how to set up a humidor with a standard humidification device. If you use an alternative humidity source such as a Boveda pack, the process will be different. Finally, we will explain how to season the humidor with Boveda.

Setting Up Your Cigar Humidor for the First Time

Why does a cigar humidor need to be prepped? The answer is simple: a humidor is designed to keep your cigars at the perfect humidity level. To do this, it must first reach a state of humidity equilibrium. Without proper preparation, your humidor can actually absorb moisture from your cigars, causing them to dry out and lose their flavor. This is especially critical for premium handmade cigars, which require ideal storage conditions to maintain their quality.

Today, humidors come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Whether you’re looking for a desktop humidor, a cabinet humidor, or even a travel humidor for your next vacation, there’s an option for every cigar enthusiast. Most humidors are crafted from Spanish cedar—either solid cedar or with a cedar lining—because of its natural ability to regulate humidity and repel pests. While the exact process for breaking in a humidor may vary slightly depending on the type, the steps we’re sharing here are the most effective and widely used.

While humidity is the main focus, temperature control is equally important. Store your humidor at a room temperature of 65-70°F, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or drafts. This ensures your cigars stay in pristine condition.

Most humidors come with essential accessories like a humidity control device (such as a Boveda pack or humidifier) and a hygrometer (usually between 69% and 72%) to monitor humidity levels. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to purchase these separately.

What You Need To Set up a Humidor

1. Distilled water (never use tap water—it contains minerals that can damage your humidor)

2.Propylene Glycol Solution

3.A clean sponge or cloth

4.A hygrometer (to measure humidity levels)

5.A humidification device

Step-by-Step Guide to Seasoning a Cigar Humidor.

Step 1: Calibrate Your Hygrometer

A hygrometer helps you check if your humidor is working right by measuring humidity inside. Calibrating it is easy but takes 6-8 hours. This requires a certain amount of patience and carefulness.Follow our guide to do it. While it calibrates, you can prep your humidor. Both digital hygrometers and analog hygrometers need calibration.

Step 2: Prepare the Humidification Device

Take the humidification unit out of the humidor and place it in a dish. Fill it with propylene glycol solution (50/50 mix). You can either squirt it in or soak the unit completely. Propylene glycol is safe and helps prevent over-humidifying. If you don’t have it, use distilled water – never tap water, as it can cause mold in your humidor and cigars. Propylene glycol is the better choice for setup.

Saturate the unit evenly with propylene glycol, then add a bit of distilled water for extra moisture. Shake off any excess solution over a sink. Once done, place the unit back in the humidor.

For Crystal-Based Humidification Units

Note: If you’re using a crystal-based humidifier, use distilled water instead of propylene glycol. Fully saturate the unit, then shake it over the sink to ensure the water is absorbed. Place it back in your humidor.

Step 3: Humidify Your Cigar Humidor

To properly humidify your cigar humidor, soak a sponge in distilled water, wring it out slightly, and place it on a plastic Ziploc bag inside the humidor to avoid direct contact with the wood. Close the lid and let it sit for 3-5 days (or up to 2 weeks for best results) to gradually reach the ideal humidity level. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity. This slow process ensures the wood absorbs moisture evenly, preserving your cigars effectively.

Step 4. Measure the Humidity

After 3-5 days (or longer), use your hygrometer to check the humidity inside the humidor. Aim for 75%-80% RH initially, this is slightly higher than the normal humidity range required for storing cigars.as cigars will absorb excess moisture once added.

Note: For solid hardwood humidors (not cedar-lined), the process may take longer, requiring you to refill the humidification unit with propylene glycol solution and re-soak the sponge. Repeat until the humidor reaches the proper humidity level for optimal cigar storage.Step 5: Monitor the Humidity

Step 5: Add Cigars to Your Humidor

When your hygrometer shows 75%-80% RH, it’s time to fill your humidor with cigars. Aim to fill it at least halfway, but leave about 20% of the space empty to allow proper air and humidity circulation. This ensures consistent conditions and better preservation of your cigars. Avoid overfilling to maintain optimal storage quality.

Step 6: Maintain Your Cigar Humidor

To keep your cigars in perfect condition, regularly monitor and maintain your humidor. Aim for a steady humidity level of 65%-72% RH. When the hygrometer drops into the low 60s, refill the humidification unit with distilled water or propylene glycol solution (to prevent bacteria). Rotate your cigars every 1-2 weeks to ensure even humidity exposure and check your collection regularly.

How to Season a Humidor with Boveda Packs?

The number of Boveda bags you need depends on the size of your humidor. To season a new humidor, If use one 84% RH Boveda pack for every 25 cigars it holds  Two 84% RH Boveda packs for a 50-count humidor and so on. Place the Humidity packs into your humidor with your hygrometer, close the lid, and wait 2 weeks for the humidity to stabilize. After seasoning, replace the 84% packs with lower RH packs (65%, 69%, or 72%) for regular cigar storage. Avoid mixing different RH levels, as this disrupts humidity balance. Boveda Pouch can be used for at least two months. When the humidity pouch becomes hard, it is time to replace it with a new one.

FAQs About Seasoning a Cigar Humidor.

Q: How long does it take to season a cigar humidor?
A: It typically takes 3-5 days, but larger humidors may take longer.

Q: Can I use a damp sponge instead of a Boveda pack?
A: Yes, but Boveda packs are more precise and easier to use, especially for beginners.

Q: What’s the ideal humidity level for a cigar humidor?
A: Most cigar enthusiasts recommend keeping the humidity between 65% and 72%.

Final Thoughts

Seasoning a cigar humidor is a simple but important step for any cigar lover. By following this guide, you’ll ensure your humidor is ready to store your cigars in perfect condition. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a beginner, taking the time to season your humidor properly will pay off in the long run.

For more tips on cigar care, check out our guide on How to Store Cigars Long-Term. And If you don't know how to find a high quality humidor, please contact us.

By following these steps and using the right tools, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying perfectly preserved cigars. Happy smoking!