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Cigar Adviser
The Editors
Published in: August 1, 1999
Q: What is the value of keeping cigars in their cellophane wrappers? Should I unwrap each cigar before putting them in my humidor?
Tim Gleason
Mineral Ridge, Ohio
There's a simple answer, with some caveats. The simple answer is yes: remove the cellophane before putting a cigar in your humidor. The cellophane impedes the aging process that will take place in a properly humidified environment. By removing the cellophane, more air circulates around the cigar, allowing it to breathe more freely.
The caveats are fairly straightforward, too. If you store a number of different cigar brands next to each other in the same humidor compartment, leave the cellophane on to limit any exchanging of flavors. You can open the ends of the cellophane wrapper to allow some air in while still keeping the cigars separate. I also leave the wrapper on if I know I'll be taking cigars out and placing them in a case. Keeping the cellophane on the cigars while in the case helps them retain their moisture.
Q: Is there a rule of thumb for the size of the humidification device compared to the size of the humidor?
Irving Luna
Vineland, New Jersey
If you are using a standard Credo-style device, which uses a type of florist's clay or sponge-like material to retain moisture, I have found that one device per 100 cigars is about right. So, if you have a 200-cigar humidor, you will need two of those units. Some of the newer humidifiers, such as those from Diamond Crown, reportedly accommodate a larger number of cigars per unit. But I've found that if you exceed 100 cigars, you'll probably need to refill the device more frequently than the directions suggest.
Of course, these rules of thumb can vary dramatically, depending upon many variables: the porousness of the wood in your humidor, the tightness of the seal on the box, the number of cigars in the humidor, the frequency with which it is opened, the temperature and humidity of the room the humidor is in, and the condition of the cigars when you placed them in the box. Also, you should buy a digital hygrometer (see the following letter) to help you monitor the humidor's humidity levels. But the best rule of thumb is to let the feel of your cigars be your guide.
Q: I have a humidor with three analog hygrometers. Each is wildly inaccurate. Are the digital hygrometers any more accurate?
Michael Keller
Appleton, Wisconsin
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