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Cigars/Freezing Cigars

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Expert: - 8/17/2011


Question
How does freezing cigars affect their humidity? My freezer stays at 20% RH...

Answer
Hi Bill,

Freezing your cigars will cause them to lose their moisture content.  Cigars require approximately 70% humidity on a regular basis to keep them at an ideal smoking condition (67-73% is acceptable and 70% is considered optimal.)  Since your freezer only generates 20% humidity, your cigars will eventually dry out if you freeze them for a prolonged amount of time.  Because of this, it's always important that you freeze your cigars only when you need to treat them for tobacco beetle infestations.  Lengthy or repeated freezing of your cigars can damage them so be sure that you only freeze your cigars to treat tobacco beetles.  Do not freeze your cigars needlessly or for any other reason.  

If you do need to freeze your cigars to kill tobacco beetle eggs, 72 hours in your freezer is more than enough time to kill all the beetles.  After 72 hours in the freezer, let your cigars sit at room temperature for 24 hours before returning them to your humidor.  Your cigars should then sit in your humidor for at least 2-3 weeks before you smoke them.  This will allow your cigars to properly re-humidify.

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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