Those who find maintaining a humidor a frustrating process have bombarded me with questions. They want to know how to “season” is, and whether or not their hygrometer is accurate.

We’ll start with the hygrometer and how to test it fro accuracy. The Salt Test procedure requires a tablespoon of salt placed in a wide-mouth bottle cap. Slowly add distilled water to the salt and mix until it becomes the consistency of toothpaste. Do not dissolve the salt!

Place the bottle cap with the salt in a sealable container or Ziploc bag and put your hygrometer inside. Make sure the sensor is exposed – don’t get any of the salt mixture on it. Place the container somewhere free of direct sunlight, with a stable temperature, and leave it overnight.

Check the hygrometer: it should read 75% RH. If the reading is off, use the small adjustment screw on the backside to tweak it to exactly 75%. Repeat the test after making any adjustments. If your hygrometer doesn’t have an adjustment capability, or if the reading is way off and you’re unable to correct it, then I suggest replacing it. The newer digital hygrometers are more accurate, but depending on the quality, they can be off by 2-3%. Use the salt test and if the reading is close to 75% RH, just remember that your hygrometer is X% higher or lower than 75.

When seasoning your humidor, it is not advisable to wipe down the interior with a wet cloth. Doing so can cause the wood grain to rise, creating a rough surface that can damage the wrappers on your cigars.

Have patience through the seasoning process, especially if you have a larger humidor. Fill your humidifier with a 50/50 mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and distilled water and affix it to the inside lid with the supplied Velcro or magnet. Moisten a sponge thoroughly with distilled water and wring it out. It should be moist but not dripping wet. Place the sponge on a piece of plastic or Ziploc bag in the bottom of the humidor and close the lid. Don’t let the sponge come in direct contact with the wood (remember the raised wood grain).

After about 8-12 hours, check the sponge - it should be slightly dry. Re-wet the sponge with distilled water and return it to the humidor. Repeat the process until the sponge retains close to its original moisture. This indicates that the wood has absorbed as much moisture as it can. During the seasoning process, moisture has depleted from your humidifier as well, so it will need to be recharged using only distilled water. When the RH on your hygrometer reaches on or about 70%, it’s time to add your cigars.

The 50/50 solution of PG and distilled water need only be added every three months or so. Since it doesn't evaporate like water, too much PG will clog your humidifier. PG is a humidity regulator that helps to inhibit mold. Every once in a while, thoroughly flush your humidifier with distilled water.

During colder weather, when the air is drier, it may be necessary to replenish your humidifier more frequently, and you may even have to add another humidifier. During the summer months, when the air is humid, it’s just the opposite. When the reading on your hygrometer is above 70% RH, you can compensate by adding cedar blocks to your humidor to absorb the excess humidity. The blocks are usually used as spaces in boxes of cigars, or you can ask your tobacconist for a couple.

Avoid frequent opening and closing of your humidor. Remember that most humidors take three to five days to season. Be patient, it’s worth the wait.

Those who find maintaining a humidor a frustrating process have bombarded me with questions. They want to know how to “season” is, and whether or not their hygrometer is accurate.

We’ll start with the hygrometer and how to test it fro accuracy. The Salt Test procedure requires a tablespoon of salt placed in a wide-mouth bottle cap. Slowly add distilled water to the salt and mix until it becomes the consistency of toothpaste. Do not dissolve the salt!

Place the bottle cap with the salt in a sealable container or Ziploc bag and put your hygrometer inside. Make sure the sensor is exposed – don’t get any of the salt mixture on it. Place the container somewhere free of direct sunlight, with a stable temperature, and leave it overnight.

Check the hygrometer: it should read 75% RH. If the reading is off, use the small adjustment screw on the backside to tweak it to exactly 75%. Repeat the test after making any adjustments. If your hygrometer doesn’t have an adjustment capability, or if the reading is way off and you’re unable to correct it, then I suggest replacing it. The newer digital hygrometers are more accurate, btu depending on the quality, they can be off by 2-3%. Use the salt test and if the reading is close to 75% RH, just remember that your hygrometer is X% higher or lower than 75.

When seasoning your humidor, it is not advisable to wipe down the interior with a wet cloth. Doing so can cause the wood grain to rise, creating a rough surface that can damage the wrappers on your cigars.

Have patience through the seasoning process, especially if you have a larger humidor. Fill your humidifier with a 50/50 mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and distilled water and affix it to the inside lid with the supplied Velcro od magnet. Moisten a sponge throroughly with distilled water and wring it out. It should be moist but not dripping wet. Place the sponge on a piece of plastic or Ziploc bag in the bottom of the humidor and close the lid. Don’t let the sponge come in direct contact with the wood(remember the raised wood grain).

After about 8-12 hours, check the sponge - it should be slightly dry. Re-wet the sponge with distilled water and return it to the humidor. Repeat the process until the spnge retains close to its original moisture. This indicates that the wood has absorbed as much moisture as it can. During the seasoning process, moisture has depleted from your humidifier as well, so it will need to be recharged using oly distilled water. When the RH on your hygrometer reaches on or about 70%, it’s time to add your cigars.

The 50/50 solution of PG and distilled water need only be added every three months or so. Sincwe it doesn evaporate like water, too much PG will clog your humidifier. PG is a ghumiditiy regulator that helps to inhibit mold. Every once in a while, thoroughly flush your humidifier with distilled water.

During colder weather, when the air is drier, it may be necessary to replenish your humidifier more frequently, and you may even have to add another humidifier. During the summer months, when the air is humid, it’s just the opposite. When the reading on your hygrometer is above 70% RH, you can compensate by adding cedar blocks to your humidor to absorb the excess humidity. The blocks are usually used as spaces in boxes of cigars, or you can ask your tobacconist for a couple.

Avoid frequent opening and closing of your humidor. Remember that most humidors take three to five days to season. Be patient, it’s worth the wait.