Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 11/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: Are there any lower priced, smaller say 100-200 cigar temperature control humidors available?  I am often in cold climates and would need more a heating element to maintain the humidor at a relative nice temperature while away, its often 61F when I am out of town, so being able to maintain a slightly higher temp I hear would be ideal, most humidors would maintain humidity but so far all the temperature controlled units I have seen are thousands of dollars and for large units.  Are there any options available?

ANSWER: Stephen,

I've never seen a small temperature controlled humidor. However, it does not hurt cigars at all to store them in colder temperatures as long as the humidity is properly kept. If you are keeping the humidor inside your home or office, you should not have any problems. What temperature are you trying to store your cigars at?

Bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: They would be inside, they can get down as low as 60 degrees F. no lower, I was unsure if that would be a problem for them, I often hear that 74 is ideal, I can keep them properly humidified, if that temperature is acceptable then I guess the need for a temp. controlled one is moot.  If so thank you for the response, if not, maybe I will look into building some smaller units for this in the near future.  Thanks.

Answer
Stephen,

That cooler temperature won't hurt them a bit. In fact, most cigar warehouses store their cigars in refrigerated rooms not much warmer than that. The cool temperatures don't allow the tobacco beetle larvae to hatch, so cigars can be stored for very long periods of time without any risk of damage. At 60 degrees you'll want about 78-80% relative humidity in order to keep them well humidified.

Hope this helps.
Bill