Cigar Storage Questions

[Alcibiates]

What Spanish Cedar provides, once it's seasoned, is stability. It has to do with the density and uniformity of the grain. Aesthetics aside, if what you can afford for now is gladware, it'll be perfect. And, if the humi/tupperdore encloses the cigar environment, then the beads control it. 50% rh is a bit low - you can get beads that will maintain 65 and 70.

Just saying that our humidity is quite high so its not a huge rush of humidity out of the box when I open it, so if its not a humongous benefit and is generally only needed in the less humid areas, then I would pass on it. I'm a bit confused why you need a humidifier AND the cedar? Is cedar more precise, or is it just one of those A+B>A scenarios?

Spanish cedar is regarded as the best because it can absorb/release moisture without warping, as well as keeping a stable humidity/temperature. Although spanish cedar can absorb flavors and release them, it's negligible, to my understanding. the flavor seeping that the our fellow botl's are talking about is from the flavor of one cigar mixing with another. So keeping flavored cigars and non-flavored separate is a good rule to follow.

So you could actually keep flavored cigars and non-flavored cigars in the same humidor if you have a divider in there? What I read was people complaining that one flavored cigar would ruin a whole batch of great cigars; although I also hear a lot of trashing on flavored cigars in general...

I've never heard of flavored cigars "screwing" up a humidor other then it absorbing flavors of flavored cigars, thus passing those mixed flavors into your non-flavored smokes.

1: hooray for my vocabulary randomly dropping and using a poor word choice!
2: This is really just a minimal effect, though, correct? How much work is it to change a humidor that's been used for flavored cigars into a non-flavored cigar humidor? I ask because I think I may smoke flavored cigars for a number of years, and wonder if a humidor is worth the investment at all... I love how they look, but I don't foresee a time anytime soon that I could afford to buy cigars AND a humidor... so maybe that's a moot question.

I'm still interested in how much of the market share flavored cigars takes up, yet most people shun them and its hard to find information on them... I've been scouring the internet and I can't get too much on them... Thanks a bunch of the answers, guys! I love getting multiple views on things, so keep replying!

[basil]

I'm a bit confused why you need a humidifier AND the cedar?

Without some kind of humidifying system, eventually the rh would drop, at least where I live. and, 'cuz a cedar-lined humidor looks badass.

[logan37]

Without some kind of humidifying system, eventually the rh would drop, at least where I live. and, 'cuz a cedar-lined humidor looks badass.

That too.

[Alcibiates]

Without some kind of humidifying system, eventually the rh would drop, at least where I live. and, 'cuz a cedar-lined humidor looks badass

Yeah... that's my primary reason for wanting one, but the budget thing is a real pain. I've seen some very nice ones on ebay for quite cheap, so I may get one, but I'm not sure yet. I think it'll be a christmas gift to myself dependent on how often I decide to smoke and if I can afford enough cigars to fill it up decently. I don't want to buy a small one, but buying a large humidor with <50 cigars seems silly. I'm a bit interested in the glass humudiors, although I think there would be some problems with them, but that's a whole different thread, and I'm sure there's ample reading on that!

Probably a really generic question that I'll find an answer to after I post:
If you use beads, is it essential to keep them from touching the smokes? Such as keeping them in a small container with holes drilled in it versus just dropping beads in there? And if you can't just drop them in there, what does it to do the smokes if the beads are touching the smokes (out of idle curiosity)?

the flavors will still seep into non flavored cigars through the air, also through the absorption of the cedar.

I was told two different things about this, but I guess they're both true: the cigars will seep flavor into eachother if they're touching, or into cedar; so it's best to get rid of both to be safe.

[logan37]

If budget is an issue, a tupperware is the answer.

If you use beads, is it essential to keep them from touching the smokes? Such as keeping them in a small container with holes drilled in it versus just dropping beads in there? And if you can't just drop them in there, what does it to do the smokes if the beads are touching the smokes (out of idle curiosity)?

you put them in a container with holes in it. I dont think that them touching the cigars would be an issue(but not sure). It just makes sense to have a bunch of little beads in a container instead of floating around your box. Plus you will have to rehydrate them from time to time so having them in a container makes it easier.

I was told two different things about this, but I guess they're both true: the cigars will seep flavor into eachother if they're touching, or into cedar; so it's best to get rid of both to be safe.

To my understanding all of these are true. mixing of flavors is impossible to stop completely(other then having a separate box for each type of cigar you have). You can only minimize the effects. The big issue here is if you want to mix flavored cigars with non-flavored cigars. I say get 2 boxes, one for each. But, as I posted above, it's up to you.

CIGAR 101

[Alcibiates]

To my understanding all of these are true. mixing of flavors is impossible to stop completely(other then having a separate box for each type of cigar you have). You can only minimize the effects. The big issue here is if you want to mix flavored cigars with non-flavored cigars. I say get 2 boxes, one for each. But, as I posted above, it's up to you.

What I'm curious about specifically is if anybody knows if different flavored cigars hurt eachother as much as a flavored and a non-flavored... To me it seems like they would because they're so drastically different, but perhaps I'm wrong. It's not particuarlly one of those things I want to learn by lighting up a vanilla cigar and getting enough different tastes to confuse my tastebuds for the rest of the night

Assuming I'm going to use gladware, it doesn't seem like too horrible of an idea to get a number of different containers to keep each separate cigar in, or is there a large problem when you keep a very small amount of the container filled? I've heard that trying to keep it 75% full is a good goal but I'm not certain on the ill effects of not keeping it filled...

Also, is there a certain method of storing the beads that works for a small tupperdore? I know people use small cups and the sort, but if I'm looking at keeps ~5 cigars in each container *assuming a complete separation of each flavor from every other flavor* is there a good way to do that, or is a just a bad idea all around? Buying a couple tubos and drilling some holes sounds like a good way to me, but I have zero experience

[here'sjohnny]

Assuming I'm going to use gladware, it doesn't seem like too horrible of an idea to get a number of different containers to keep each separate cigar in, or is there a large problem when you keep a very small amount of the container filled? I've heard that trying to keep it 75% full is a good goal but I'm not certain on the ill effects of not keeping it filled...

Keeping the tupperdore 75% full will help keep the environment stable, but if you go with beads they should do that job fine. the humidity will likely take large swings when you open the tupperdore though.

[logan37]

Just saying that our humidity is quite high so its not a huge rush of humidity out of the box when I open it, so if its not a humongous benefit and is generally only needed in the less humid areas, then I would pass on it. I'm a bit confused why you need a humidifier AND the cedar? Is cedar more precise, or is it just one of those A+B>A scenarios?

the humidor creates a stable environment. the loss or gain of humidity from opening it should go back to that stable environment if seasoned properly. the humidifier, depending on what you have will either increase or decrease the humidity to make it stable again. Crystals and sponges only increase the humidity. Beads increase and decrease the humidity(they can absorb and release moisture)(www.heartfeltindustries.com). humidifiers also replenish the moisture of the cedar lining when moisture is pulled into cigars from the cedar as well as opening the box. A+B=stable environment for tasty smokes.. Also invest in a digital hydrometer and make sure you calibrate it correctly. Read the sticky about setting up a humidor. It's in the begging of that.

So you could actually keep flavored cigars and non-flavored cigars in the same humidor if you have a divider in there? What I read was people complaining that one flavored cigar would ruin a whole batch of great cigars; although I also hear a lot of trashing on flavored cigars in general...

the flavors will still seep into non flavored cigars through the air, also through the absorption of the cedar.

If you're not ready to invest in a humidor now just use tupperware, gladware, whatever. If you don't want your flavored smokes to mix with non-flavored get 2. If you don't mind the mixing then just get 1. It all comes down to what YOU like. You definitely want to invest in some beads or some kind of humidifier(most guys here use beads). Read the sticky for setting up a "coolerdor" in the accessories thread. Thats pretty much the same way you would set up your tupperware. I had to make one just to fit my overflow.

I'm still interested in how much of the market share flavored cigars takes up, yet most people shun them and its hard to find information on them... I've been scouring the internet and I can't get too much on them...

I can't think of anyone here that likes flavored cigars, but if you like 'em, that's all that matters. Most importantly, the best research you can do is dive in and taste them for yourself.

[DeeDubya]

Back a few years ago, my friend Rob at Hill Country Humidor bought some Acids. The rep warned him about displaying them with the boxes open, so even though they are still on the shelves he keeps the boxes closed. You know how they are packed with the loose leaves around the cigars? Those leaves are impregnated with the herbal oils used to infuse the flavors/scents into the cigars. About a week after he began stocking Acids, I could immediately smell them upon entering his humidor, even though he was keeping the boxes closed.

Well, to make my point, Rob gave me several different Acids to try. I brought them home and put them in with my other cigars. Next day when I opened my humi (this one was small and held about 150 sticks) I could smell nothing but the Acids. So, I took the Acids out and put them in a tupperware container. Several weeks later I could still smell the Acids. I don't think it was long enough to actually affect the other cigars but I could not get the smell out of the humidor. It's been a couple years now. I can tell you from experience that the scents will leech into the cedar and stay there.

Anyone need a good humidor, cheap?

[lement92]

i started out liking flavored cigars and very mild cigars. the company i keep all smokes full bodied and ultra-full bodied stuff. so gradually over time i graduated on up. went from smoking CAO flavors and don diegos just over a year ago to quite a bit of camacho and pepin stuff now. i would say that as long as you're smoking them pretty quick, you probably wouldn't have any problem with marrying. if you are looking to age some flavored smokes, i would get a separate small humi, maybe even a piece of tupperware, and use a separate humi for each flavor. if you like that little bit of spice that cedar adds, go for it. if you prefer the smoother smoke, just don't use as much cedar.

[CAJUNBLAZE]

I would just break down and buy a humidor. The money you spend on a tight seal tubberware container and smaller containers for your flavored smokes will about cost you about the same. Then put your flavored smokes in ziplocs and store in the humidor. If you decide you enjoy smoking you will still have to get a humidor and if you don't, just resell it on ebay.

Rich