Humidor Authority » cigar humidors

Humidor Solution for Seasoning Humidors

Humidor Authority — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:08:28 +0000

Humidor Solution is also known as humidor activation solution or humidor maintenance solution. It’s a solution that is usually, and preferably, composed of 50% propylene glycol and 50% pure distilled water, and helps in the seasoning and maintenance of humidors. This liquid is poured into the humidifier and helps the humidifier automatically stabilize the humidity at an optimum level of 70%. It also helps prevent the formation of mold and bacteria in the humidor.

How does humidor solution work? Propylene glycol is the active ingredient in humidor solution. It is a liquid that does not dry up easily and releases water at exactly 70%. The humidor solution should be in a mixture of 50% propylene glycol and 50% distilled water. This is the perfect balance that the humidifier needs to feed your cigars the water that allows them to continue to age gracefully.

The solution should only be applied when setting up your new humidor or when the humidity level suddenly drops. Depending on the temperature and weather, it should be used once every 3 to 6 months. It should not be used more frequently and never exclusively. After activating your humidifier it should only be refilled with pure distilled water until the humidor solution dissipates, at which time it may be used again.

How do you know when it’s time to use the solution again? When you see that the humidity level is erratic or suddenly drops, even though you have distilled water in the humidifier. If you overuse the solution it will clog up the humidifier and render it useless. When you use it too often, it displaces the water and you end up having a humidifier of propylene glycol with no water to release. What do you do if this happens? It’s a simple problem to resolve. Just buy a new humidifier. It will never work as intended again, even if you think that you cleaned it out.

Lately there have been humidor companies, stores and Internet retailers that have been selling solution that is not a mixture of 50% propylene glycol and 50% distilled water, and claiming that because it has a higher concentration of propolyne glycol, it will work better. This is not true and just a way to get more money from you for a product that will eventually harm you humidifier. The higher the propylene glycol percentage, the less room there is for distilled water in your humidifier. Your humidor needs the water so that it can recreate the the tobacco leaf’s original environment.

What is the best relative humidity level to keep inside your humidor? While the standard 70% humidity and 70 degrees is always used because it is easy to remember, humidity levels between 60% and 75% are just fine. The temperature can also vary from 60 to 80 degrees. Remember that in the tobacco fields the temperature changes from day to night. The tobacco leaf is accustomed to such changes. Most of the world’s best cigar makers prefer drier cigars, anywhere from 50 to 65% humidity. Drier cigars burn better and taste better. You must also use more care when you handle them before lighting as the drier wrapper can crack. But once you light it you’ll notice the difference in burn and taste, and the wrapper will no longer be fragile.

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Good Quality Cigar Smoking

Humidor Authority — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:51:25 +0000

Smoking quality cigars requires a hint of attitude, a dash of poise, and a spoonful of consideration. If you are a cigar lover, make sure you follow the etiquette that comes with your passion.
You might have never thought about smoking as something that could be done properly, but believe it or not, there is a right way to smoking quality cigars. There are do”s and don”ts to cigar smoking, as well as a proper way to handle a cigar and a right way to light it. This article will serve as a primer to smoking quality cigars.

The Basics Of Smoking

First of all, you have to understand that we are talking about quality cigars, not cigarettes – that”s a different thing. Now, the first thing you must learn is how to light a cigar properly. Take a cigar clipper and use it cut off the section of the cigar you put to your mouth.
After cutting, you may then take a cedar match and hold the edge of the cigar to the flame. Avoid using sulfur matches as they leave a bad taste in the mouth. Also, do not allow the cigar to be in direct contact with the fire. Just hold it over the heat and draw in deeply until the cigar is well lit.
“What about lighters?” you ask. Well, as much as possible, use a wooden match to light your quality cigars. But if you must use a lighter, choose a butane lighter. Regular cigarette lighters produce a nasty odor that ruins a good cigar.
Another point to remember is to light your own quality cigars. Do not offer to light another”s or to have someone else light you cigar for you. Offer your match or your lighter instead.
Here comes the main part of cigar smoking – and that is smoking your quality cigars! But you can”t do it any way you please. There are certain points a good smoker must follow. First, lightly hold the cigar between your thumb and your index thumb. Anything else is considered in bad taste.

A Couple of Do”s and Don”ts Every Quality Cigars Lover Must Know

Do not rush the process of smoking. Keep a slow burn and allow yourself time to savor the taste and the aroma of your quality cigars. Smoking good quality cigars usually takes half an hour. Bigger sized quality cigars take at least an hour.
Don”t knock off the ashes of your quality cigars. Rest the cigar in an ashtray every few minutes – don”t huff and puff like a little madman! Place it in an ashtray when not being smoked, and allow the ashes to fall off naturally from the cigar. But be sure you have the right ashtray size.
Never burn your quality cigars down to a nub. Leave at least and inch or two to your cigar. Otherwise, you”ll get a bitter taste in your mouth. So how do you extinguish and discard your cigar? Allow the cigar to sit on the ashtray and it will go out by itself.

And remember, a good smoker is considerate of the people around him. So when you want to light up your quality cigars in public, make sure to ask the person beside you if he minds you lighting up one.

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