Cigars/keeping cigars safe
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Question
hello james, i just got into cigars big, i was just wondering 2 things? is it possible to use a humidor correctly without a hygrometer and am i safe from cigar beetles if i leave the cigars in the original cigar tubes??
thanks. joshua
Hi Joshua,
Yes, it is possible to use a humidor without a hygrometer but it's recommended that you have a hygrometer in your humidor. A hygrometer will allow you to monitor the humidity level and catch any problems that may occur such as your humidor having an overly-high or low humidity level. Even if you use an electronic humidifier that precisely maintains an ideal humidity level, it's still best to have a hygrometer in your humidor.
In regards to tobacco beetles, keeping your cigars in their original cigar tubes will indeed help prevent beetles from attacking your cigars. Tobacco beetle eggs are actually embedded inside the cigars (the beetle eggs may be laid on the tobacco leaves before cigar production) but the cigar tubes will keep your cigars isolated and safe from cross-contamination.
To help prevent tobacco beetles from appearing, do not let your humidor's internal temperature exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature level for cigars is 70 degrees. Once the temperature exceeds 75 degrees, tobacco beetle eggs (potentially hidden in your cigars) will begin to incubate and hatch.
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
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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
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