Expert: James Yee - 5/30/2008

Question
i do not have a humidor and recently purchased some high quality cigars.i have had them in my refrigerator for approximately a week. was this a bad thing to do and are they ruined?

Answer
Hi Bill,

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures such as storing your cigars in a refrigerator or freezer can definitely have a negative impact on your cigars; especially in the way they burn and taste.  It is possible to keep your cigars in the refrigerator and freezer for a short time but this is often reserved for treating cases of cigar mold and tobacco beetle infestations.  Keeping cigars in a cold environment as a regular storage method is not recommended.

Spending a week inside your refrigerator may not permanently affect your cigars yet so it's possible that they are not ruined.  What you should do is invest in a humidor immediately or, as an inexpensive alternative, consider storing your cigars in a humi-pouch or a makeshift humidor that can be fabricated from a brand new (and clean) Tupperware container or beverage cooler.

Humi-pouches are Ziploc-style bags with humidified linings built into the plastic.  They're designed for short-term cigar storage and travel and once the seal on the bag is broken, they can keep your cigars properly humidified for 3 months (90 days).  After 3 months, you will need to replace the bags.  Humi-pouches are available in a variety of sizes and can accommodate everything from a few single cigars to whole boxes.  They're available at most cigar shops and tobacconists and depending on the size, will cost anywhere between $5-$15.

If you prefer to keep your cigars in a Tupperware container or beverage cooler, the container should be lined with natural Spanish cedar wood to reduce moisture buildup as well as be fitted with a humidification device and a hygrometer.  Aquafoam-based humidification devices can be very inexpensive (about $3-$15 depending on size) and be purchased at any cigar shop.  Hygrometers are available in analog and digital models and can cost as low as $5 for analog and $20 for a digital unit.  The only downside to using "tupperdors" and "coolerdors" is that many of them have tight seals and are almost airtight so you will need to periodically vent the plastic containers to ensure that the humidity level is not dangerously high.

I hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James