Expert: James Yee - 3/12/2011

Question
Hi James,

I live in Singapore where outdoor temperatures range from 72F-87F and it is not uncommon for RH to exceed 85% on most days (>90% at night) and would like some advice on storing Cuban cigars at home specifically on the below

I have just acquired a small Adorini humidor (75 sticks) and Boveda packs 69% / 72% as a test case (intend to ultimately acquire more/larger humidors once I get these right)

Humidity has not been an issue so far - keeping consistently in the 70-72% range in my humidor with no humidifier after seasoning

I am concerned however with the temperature which can range between 75F - 79F in my room, it's around 75F in the humidor - believe this encourage tobacco bugs if any to hatch

Do you have any advice on creating a more stable environment for my cigars? Some people I know keep their humidors in a wine fridge/cellar for long term storage - is this advisable?


Thanks in advance for the advice
Jonathan

Answer
Hi Jonathan,

What you'll want to do is keep your humidor in the coolest room possible.  Take a digital thermometer and measure the temperature in each room to determine which room is the coolest.  Heat rises so if you live in a house, the main floor and basement would be the coolest areas to keep your humidor.  If you live in an apartment or condo, try to keep your humidor in an air-conditioned room.  Closets are usually cooler than the rest of the home so you may want to keep your humidor there.

Do not keep your humidor near direct/natural sunlight, hot light sources (such as lamps) or near electrical appliances that emit heat (such as a television or computer).  If you need to keep the humidor near lighting, use LED or compact flourescent lightbulbs as they operate at a much cooler temperature than other types of lightbulbs.

You can definitely keep your cigars in a wine fridge retrofitted with Spanish cedar and an electronic humidifier.  This is ideal if you're having trouble finding a stable temperature in your home.  As an alternative, there are also thermo-electric humidors that maintains both temperature and humidity at ideal levels.  Vinotemp is one company that manufactures these humidors.

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

Regards,
James