Cigar aficionados know that humidors and cigar humidifiers are an essential part of their collection. Cigars need to be kept at a certain humidity level in order for them to smoke properly, so without the proper equipment, they can become dry or even break apart.
The most common way to keep your cigars fresh is by using Boveda packs, but not everyone likes the idea of having to buy these packets every month. If this sounds like you, experts have got something else you need: check this Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 review!Table of Contents
Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 Manual
Specifications:
- Dimensions are 7 x 2.5 x 1 inches;
- The capacity is up to 1.5 cubic feet;
- Has a circulation fan;
- It has a thin ribbon cable power cord;
- The indicator for low battery and low water;
- Micro-USB connection;
- Wi-Fi capability (the accessory has to be bought separately);
Main Features and Overview
Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 is a state-of-the-art electronic cigar humidifier that will give cigars the perfect balance of air and moisture for decades without you lifting a finger, mount it in your humidor properly – this thing’s designed not just for convenience but also quality performance, thanks to many enhancements made from its predecessor.
With features like a rechargeable battery and pre-calibrated humidifying solution, you’ll never have to return your humidor to the store. Free yourself from hassle with the great gadget that keeps cigars at their best for weeks on end!
Design
The Cigar Oasis Ultra humidifier, like all of the other ultra-humidifiers on the list, requires little care and maintenance. It features a large LED display and an easy-to-use menu system that makes setting up quick.
The new automated shutoff function activates the humidifier when necessary to maintain humidity at around 70%.
Calibration is not required, as there are no moving parts. The LCD screen makes it simple to switch between temperature (Fahrenheit or Celsius), average humidity, low humidity reading for the previous three days, high humidity reading for the previous three days, and battery charge level. A more thorough collection of this data is available through the Wi-Fi connection.
The magnetic mount is fantastic. The Cigar Oasis comes with a powerful magnet, which is a plus. Because many humidification gadgets and hygrometers that mount in humidors do not have a strong enough magnet, the device falls off. Because the Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 has a stronger magnet (and because it is larger), it will not fall off.
The ribbon connection is incredibly delicate. It may be inserted between the hinges or along the device’s edges from the rear of the humidor. Keeping your humidor sealed is easy.
Performance
The Ultra 2.0 can be operated with a power outlet or through its internal rechargeable Li-Ion battery. The fan pushes out the moisture until the right level is reached. It samples the humidity on battery power every five minutes to ensure that it is correct.
The system, depending on the humidity level, either turns off completely or adjusts it to a more reasonable level. If necessary, the system goes into control mode to adjust humidity. The control point is set to 70% humidity in both situations. A water cartridge has been installed and is ready to use with the device.
Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 Pros and Cons
The Buyer’s Guide
Installation/Assembly
The Cigar Oasis Ultra humidifier, like all of the other ultra-humidifiers, requires little care and maintenance. It features a large LED display and an easy-to-use menu system that makes setting up quick. The new automated shutoff function activates the humidifier when necessary to maintain humidity at around 70%.
The simple steps of installation are:
- Install the water cartridge;
- Connect power cables;
- Mount the device inside your favorite humidor;
While the water cartridge comes pre-filled, it will be necessary to refill it with distilled water.
The audio and visual indicators will tell if the unit is dry.
There is a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery specifically designed for the loss of power. It may last up to 4 days.
How to use it?
The Cigar Oasis Ultra uses 3 different modes of operation to let you have full control over the humidity in your humidor:
1) In Off Mode, the device does not run and powers down completely when there is no power going through. It also has a low voltage protection system that shuts off electric flow if too much current goes through (due to bad wiring). This mode comes in handy for anyone who travels with their cigars or wants an extra layer of security against electrical problems like brownouts or lightning strikes during storms.
2) In Auto Mode, the unit turns on periodically and runs for 12 hours before shutting itself off again automatically. This puts less wear-and-tear on the machine than the Continuous Mode, but you will have to refill the water reservoir every other day or so.
3) In Continuous Mode, Cigar Oasis Ultra runs constantly until it needs refilling with distilled water. This is useful for people who want their humidors at a constant humidity level without having to worry about checking them too often and refilling the device’s tank. Of course, this mode also puts more wear-and-tear on your unit than does Auto Mode since there isn’t any shutoff switch that turns off electric power when necessary.
Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 has an extremely large range of adjustments both in terms of target relative humidity levels as well as how quickly it’s willing to turn itself or down depending upon conditions in the humidor change.
In relative terms, you can set your desired humidity from as low as 20% to a maximum of 80%.
This means that even if your cigars are not in optimal conditions or lose moisture due to being kept next to a window, Cigar Oasis Ultra will still keep them at safe levels for their long-term storage.
With an accuracy range between +/- 0.05%, it’s also very precise and responsive compared with other units on the market which have been known to fluctuate by up to +/- 15%.
As mentioned above, this system works well for cigar lovers who travel because they won’t need any adjustments when getting ready for trips – just pack their favorite sticks and go!
Who should use it?
Cigar Oasis Ultra is not for everyone because it’s an expensive cigar accessory. However, this device would be especially useful to anyone who takes pride in their collection and wants the best humidifier available on the market today that will keep all of their cigars well preserved without having to rely heavily upon maintenance work.
This unit is great if you’re looking for a long-term investment that secures your cigars’ safety even when you can’t check up on them every week or two like other less advanced ones require.
Due to its large size, Cigar Oasis Ultra may also be more suitable than smaller models for people with larger desktop humidors (e.g., cabinets). If you have limited space in yours but want something powerful that can keep your cigars fresh, then this is the perfect option for you.
All in all, if you want to buy a humidifier that will last longer and work well with any environment or cigar storage container (e.g., bags), Cigar Oasis Ultra is certainly worth considering as the best model on the market currently which has very few weaknesses to speak of.
However, do not forget about maintenance costs even though it’s an investment! You’ll need distilled water every so often – but at least there’s no salt required unlike other models like Boveda packs where humidity levels depend largely upon their age/quality before use.
Alternatives
If you’re on a budget or don’t want to spend more than $100 for this unit, then there are other alternatives that work well and can be cheaper. Boveda packs (and their 62%, 65%, and 69% humidity variants) are one such choice that costs around $25 per pack. These come in small packets or jars of various quantities with relative humidity designed specifically for storing cigars at specific points during the aging process.
Boveda’s biggest advantage over Cigar Oasis Ultra is the price since they can last up to six months if properly used under optimal conditions – meaning that these should only be placed inside airtight containers without any additional holes punctured into them to let moisture out so as not to damage the crystals’ integrity.
This unit also has the ability to attach to other devices such as humidors or bags with holes in them that is very useful for users who want a more versatile and customizable storage system.
The drawback of Boveda packets compared to Cigar Oasis Ultra is that they’re not electronic like this device. It means that one cannot precisely control humidity levels over time unless you purchase an advanced hygrometer (an additional cost) while having to check up on your cigars’ moisture content often if necessary by opening their container so it can get fully aired out.
The main reason why people prefer electronic units like the Cigar Oasis Ultra is because they don’t have any ongoing costs associated with replacing packs every few months to avoid the risk of accidentally damaging your cigars by opening them up too much and they’re simple to use as long as you keep the water levels topped off as needed.
Another option that may be cheaper than Cigar Oasis Ultra is Cigar Caddy’s $30 model.
This cigar humidifier can hold 60+ cigars, has a built-in hygrometer/thermometer with digital controls which let one adjust humidity and temperature settings, and uses Boveda packs (62% or 69%) for enhanced convenience since there are no ongoing costs associated with using these packets – plus, they produce better results.
FAQ
What do you put in a cigar humidifier?
Distilled water or Propylene Glycol (PG) solution is a great option.
How do you humidify a cigar without a humidifier?
A simple Ziploc bag and a moist sponge will suffice to store a cigar or two. Take a large freezer bag and fill it with the cigars. Next, soak the new sponge in water and wring out any extra moisture. Place the sponge in the bag and zip closed tightly [1].
What accessories do you need for cigars:
- A cutter;
- Matches or a butane lighter;
- Humidor to store cigars in after smoking them;
How often should you refill a cigar humidifier?
Refilling the distilled water in your humidifier only once a month is standard advice. You should replace the activation solution with distilled water more frequently, about every 2-3 weeks [2].
Is 60% humidity ok for cigars?
The objective of ideal cigar storage is to maintain a constant relative humidity of 60% to 70%. The second requirement is to keep the cigars at temperatures below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and the third condition is that they be kept in a shady place [3].
Can dried cigars be rehydrated?
Yes, cigars may be rehydrated. Even if you take good care of your cigars, they may dry out from time to time, requiring a solution to preserve them. Perhaps you need to rehydrate a cigar that was left in your car or forgot to remoisten your humidor. [4].
What is the proper humidity for cigars?
If cigars are stored at the proper humidity between 65% and 72%, they will last longer.
Is it ok to smoke a dry cigar?
Dry cigars are harsh and unpleasant to smoke. This doesn’t imply that a re-humidified cigar will taste terrible; it simply won’t taste the way the cigar manufacturer intended. Nonetheless, it’s worth trying to resuscitate dried cigars to see how they smoke after being re-humidified rather than tossing them away.
Why does my cigar wrapper crack?
The first, and the most frequent, cause is a dry cigar. This happens when your humidor or tobacconist’s humidor is not kept at the correct humidity level, which is typically between 68 percent and 72 percent. To prevent your cigars from drying out, first ensure that your hygrometer is accurate and calibrated [5].
How do you moisturize a cigar?
There are many ways to moisturize a cigar:
- You can put them in your humidor for some time;
- You can use distilled water and PG solution or Boveda packs with the cigars;
- You can just keep your cigars in an airtight bag;
What if your cigar has mold?
This is unlikely to happen on the Cigar Oasis Ultra. If it does, you need to stop using your humidor and fix whatever caused mold in the first place. This could be due to improper humidity levels or an environment that isn’t conducive for cigars being stored correctly so make sure everything else is okay before blaming a cigar accessory like this one which makes storing cigars easier than ever!
Can you keep cigars in the fridge instead?
Experts recommend against this. The temperature fluctuations that you get in the refrigerator can damage cigars and make them dry out faster than normal. This will destroy your cigar’s flavor profile and cause it to rapidly lose its aroma, which is a huge part of what makes smoking so much fun!
How long do the cartridges of this unit last?
About 2-3 weeks.
How many cigars will this machine humidify?
It is suitable for humidors with 50-75 cigars.
Related Video:Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 Setup Instructions
Final thoughts
Cigar Oasis Ultra 2.0 Electronic Cigar Humidifier w/ Refill Cartridge is for cigar lovers who want to do everything they can to maintain a perfect humidor environment that’s conducive to a more flavorful smoke experience. With this innovative device, you’re able to monitor and regulate conditions remotely through your smartphone or web browser – perfect for anyone on the go!
References:
- https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-store-a-cigar-if-you-dont-have-a-humidor-2015-10
- https://cigarstar.ca/faq/humidifiers
- http://www.stogieguys.com/2014/04/04242014-cigar-tip-beyond-the-basics-of-humidity.html
- https://www.cigarworld.com/education/how-to-rehydrate-cigars
- https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/what-causes-a-cigar-wrapper-to-crack-19203
