You are here:

Cigars/Maintaining humidor temperature!

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/20/2009


Question
Hello again,
                  Mr. Lee, how are you sir? My question to you is; how do you
maintain the 70 degree temperature in a humidor?

Answer
Hi Chandrea,

I'm doing well, thank you for asking. :)

To answer your question, there's a few methods to maintaining proper temperature in your humidor.  If your humidor has a high temperature, the simplest method to reducing the temperature is to relocate your humidor to the coolest room in your home.  Keeping your humidor in your basement/cellar also works as it is significantly cooler than the rest of your house.  Avoid keeping your humidor near direct sunlight as well as incandescent lighting that generates heat (such as a hot desk lamp).  Also keep your humidor away from major appliances/electronic devices that emit heat (ie: TV, computer, etc.)

If relocating your humidor to a cooler room doesn't work, you may want to upgrade to a thermo-electric humidor.  These are humidors that allow you to electronically control the internal temperature.  Vinotemp makes a thermo-electric 100-count desktop humidor but if you require a larger humidor, you may want to invest in a cabinet-style humidor.  As a popular and more affordable alternative, many cigar smokers/collectors also prefer to store their large cigar collection in wine fridges that has been modified to accomodate cigars.  Wine fridges are excellent because they also allow you to custom set the temperature level.  Simply line a wine fridge with Spanish cedar paneling and add an electronic humidification device such as a Cigar Oasis and it's ready to store your cigars.

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

Cigars

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.