Smoking, while obvious and unquestionably harmful to health, remains a habit that many people keep having. Moreover, today it seems that the number of smokers has increased, and the truth is that it is not just cigarettes that are consumed by this enthusiastic public. Every day you see new, or at least rare, ways of consuming these tobacco products. Cigars, pipes, cigarettes and even tobacco rolled in the special paper are ways of consuming tobacco.
Cigars are a well-known medium, though frequented by relatively few of those who enjoy the pleasure. This way of smoking has been full of mysticism typical of television series, literary novels, films, etc. In these ways, a certain category is offered to people who enjoy the pleasure of tobacco. This is where cigars require certain care when storing them, and they cost a bit more money, so they must be stored properly to avoid damage and loss of money. The most effective way to care for and store cigars is to use a humidor
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How to Keep Cigars without a Humidor?
Some smokers constantly need to acquire new items to satisfy their tastes, to purchase cigars all the time, and, therefore, to have specialized humidifiers to keep the product in the best possible way.
However, if you are one of those people who buys a cigar now and then and does not have too many of them, besides being able to smoke them in a short period of time, you may not need to have a humidifier.
However, if you still want to keep your cigars moist, they will need special methods of doing this. Well, here are some homemade ways to keep your cigars and enjoy them as if you just bought them.
To be able to store your cigars without a humidifier, you must know that if there is too much humidity, or if they are near a product that has been moistened beforehand, mold may form in the cigars and that these are unusable.
Can Of Coffee
For this method, you only need a container with a tight seal. In this case, you need to take a sponge and put it in the water before placing it inside the container.
Then you will take the cigars you need to stay moist and put them in the container with the previously moistened sponge. An important fact that you must remember is not to let the sponge touch the cigars, because if this happens and they are stored for a long time, it is very likely that the cigars will grow mold.
In case a lot of time is required in this container, it is better to keep a hygrometer next to the cigars to know the exact humidity that will exist in the container. When traveling, it is best to take a container that has separate compartments so that the sponge does not touch the cigars and vice versa.
Tupperware
This method is similar to the previous one, but instead of using a sponge and a box, you’ll take a tupper that you do not use, which has separate compartments and is the perfect size for cigars.
In one of the compartments, you need to place the cigars so that they are well-positioned and stored, while in the other they will introduce previously moistened cotton, which will give the tupper the necessary touch of humidity. This will seal tightly so that you keep the moisture in place at a constant point. You can also use a hygrometer in case you are not at all confident not to have it.
The fridge
This method has been tested and is known to work, but it is not effective if it is to be stored for a long time, and if you do not like to smoke your cold cigar, it can be a problem. Take a bag with an airtight seal and place the cigars you want to keep in a humid place.
After closing it tightly and checking that there is no air leakage, the bag will be placed in a place near the water jugs. It is not necessary to place it very close to the jars, but it should be kept in a place near water, but the cold air from the refrigerator does not give it in front.
How to Store Your Cigars without a Humidor?
Buy special sponges for cigars. These sponges, in specialized establishments, are not expensive and only absorb the adequate and necessary amount for the cigars to stay moist and do not pass moisture and grow mold.
If you want to acquire a hygrometer, you can do it very easily, which will be very useful for keeping cigars calibrated and knowing their humidity. Analog hygrometers can be purchased at any specialty store. Although these require calibration, while digital hygrometers do not require calibration, but are a bit more expensive.
The cellophane wrap is very useful and effective. It is always advisable, if they have been wrapped, to leave the wrapping for extra moisture and to prevent them from molding.
When starting with home systems you must take a moment every day or every day in between to check that all is well. You should gently touch the cigar wrapper to check that it is not brittle and verify that the humidity is correct. Once you are happy with the system, you can check every one or two weeks to allow the cigars to take in some fresh air.
Cigar Humidor
To store a cigar or cigarillo, as mentioned above, it is important to have a way to keep the product with an acceptable moisture factor so that it can be enjoyed properly.
Although some people may find it trivial to need it, the truth is that it is necessary, because if the cigar does not get wet and dry, it can lose the aroma and burn irregularly, and the truth is that for many connoisseurs of the matter, the cigar has its greatest appeal in its spicy aroma.
A cigar humidifier is therefore a kind of container or box in which cigars are stored in such a way that they are there for a certain time, and that they do not lose their level. Humidity, so that the consumer can take one at any time. In addition to that, it is also an important element among people of ranks or with special tastes, and when they want to share their tastes with friends, partners, or clients. The ideal is that they are at their point.
Operation of the humidifier is easy, with a wooden box that has a cedar liner on the inside and a humidity system that also comes with a hygrometer with which the humidity of the box can be measured and in some cases with a thermometer to know the temperature inside.
DIY: The Process of Making Home Cigar Humidor
A good humidifier is a must for any cigar lover. A humidifier keeps the moisture in the cigars and also retains their taste. The best cigars are quite expensive, so it would be wise to store them in humidors, especially if you want the cigars to last much longer. Moreover, like cigars, good humidors can get expensive too.
Many are willing to spend on these products to ensure the longevity of their cigars. However, the design of a humidifier is very simple. Anyone with the right skills and tools can create one on their own. She can even customize it to their personal taste.
What You Will Need?
It is important to use the right type of wood when building a humidifier. The traditional wood used for the interior of the cellar is kiln-dried Spanish cedar. It is the best choice because it can hold more moisture than any other type of wood. It also gives cigars an aromatic scent.
Many use a veneered finish for the exterior using a different type of wood. Some of the more popular woods for exterior finishing are mahogany, rosewood, cherry, and walnut.
You will need power tools to make a humidifier. These will allow making more precise woodcuts. A humidifier should not only look good but also have a tight seal to retain moisture. It would be difficult to meet these criteria without power tools. There are a few woodworking tops for humidifiers, but you can also design one yourself.
Making a Wooden Cigar Box
Desktop humidifiers come in different sizes. Some can hold 25 to 50 and some 50 to 100 cigars. A humidifier measuring 10.5 “W x 8 3/4” D x 4 1/2 “H, for example, can hold up to 50 cigars. Consult the woodworking plan for exact dimensions and materials for the project.
First, cut the front, back and sides with a table saw. Use a planer to bring the boards to the correct thickness. Cut the grooved joints on the sides of the panels to join the corners.
Use a jig if you prefer box or dovetail joints for carpentry. They are safer joints. However, you cannot add inlays to the outside corners if you use these types of joints. Tighten the joints after applying the glue and let dry overnight. Use a belt sander to sand the outside of the box.
Then cut a recessed bevel at the bottom of the box. This is to insert the bottom plank. Cut the bottom plank then check that it fits snugly against the bottom of the box. Apply glue to the sides of the board and attach it to the recessed bevel. Tighten and let dry.
The next step is to build the top cover. If you want, you can add prints and other designs to the top board. Cover the outside of the box with your choice of wood veneer and let sit.
Insert a thin Spanish cedar liner on all sides of the box. This inner box will give the cellar a tight seal. Then install the hinges and secure the top cover. Make sure that when the lid closes there is a slight whoosh sound. This ensures that the humidifier traps an air pocket and that it is well sealed.
Make a Humidifier Cabinet
A humidifier cabinet can store boxes of cigars and desktop humidifiers. Building a humidification cabinet is like building a simple cabinet. The main difference is that the interior of the humidifier cabinet is Spanish cedar.
You can build a large tower or a smaller one to stack your cigars. It is up to you to choose the correct dimensions for the humidifier cabinet. This project also requires power tools. Start by cutting the top, bottom, side, and back boards using a table saw. Make sure to smooth all the pieces with a belt sander. Assemble the pieces with glue and a wood screw. Make sure everything is square. Cover the exterior with a wood veneer for a neat finish.
Build dividers to hold the cigars. You can also add Spanish cedar drawers if you want. Next is to build the gate. Cut the pieces for the door frame. Cut narrow grooves in each piece to insert a glass panel. Then add the button to one of the pieces. Sand the surfaces using a belt sander.
Insert the glass into the side rails and complete the door assembly. Install the hinges and attach the door to the cabinet frame. Make sure the door closes properly and is airtight.
