If you’re serious about cigars, then knowing what humidity for cigars is best is a key factor in keeping them in prime condition. Humidity is an important factor when it comes to cigars.
Too much humidity and your cigars will be soggy, while too little humidity and your cigars will be dry. Either way, they will not smoke well, and different cigars require different humidity levels.
This is why it’s important to know what works best for the type of cigar you’re smoking. In this blog post, we discuss what humidity for cigars is best and recommend a level that is perfect for your needs.
Types Of Cigars With Their Humidity Level
Different types of cigars require different levels of humidity. For most cigars, the ideal relative humidity is between 68-72%.
This humidity level will keep your cigars moist and pliable while allowing them to burn evenly.
However, some cigars do better in a slightly drier or more humid environment.
This is why it’s important to know what humidity for cigars is best depending on what type of cigar you smoke.
Cuban Cigars: 65-70%
Cuban cigars are some of the most renowned in the world. They are known for their smooth, creamy smoke and complex flavor profiles.
To keep your Cuban cigars in optimal condition, they should be stored at 65-70% relative humidity.
Dominican Cigars: 68-72%
Dominican cigars are some of the most popular cigars on the market. They are known for their complex flavor profiles and good burning properties.
To keep your Dominican cigars in optimal condition, they should be stored at 68-72% relative humidity.
Honduran Cigars: 70-74%
Honduran cigars are beloved by many cigar smokers for their rich and bold flavors.
To keep your Honduran cigars in optimal condition, they should be stored at 70-74% relative humidity.
Nicaraguan Cigars: 65-70%
Nicaraguan cigars are known for their robust and full-bodied flavors.
To keep your Nicaraguan cigars in optimal condition, they should be stored at 65-70% relative humidity.
Connecticut Shade Cigars: 60-65%
Connecticut Shade cigars are some of the mildest cigars on the market. They are known for their smooth and creamy smoke.
To keep your Connecticut Shade cigars in optimal condition, they should be stored at 60-65% relative humidity.
Maduro Cigars: 60-65%
Maduro cigars are known for their rich and full-bodied flavors.
To keep your Maduro cigars in optimal condition, they should be stored at 60-65% relative humidity.
Flavored Cigars: 62-66%
Flavored cigars are a popular choice among many cigar smokers. They are known for their sweet and aromatic flavors.
To keep your flavored cigars in optimal condition, they should be stored at 62-66% relative humidity.
Cigarillos: 70-74%
Cigarillos are small cigars that are usually smoked for a shorter period than traditional cigars. They are known for their bold and intense flavors.
To keep your cigarillos in optimal condition, they should be stored at 70-74% relative humidity.
How Can You Tell If Your Cigars Are Too Dry Or Too Humid?
There are a few ways to tell if your cigars are too dry or too humid.
If your cigars are too dry, they will be brittle and may crack or break when you try to smoke them. If your cigars are too humid, they will be soggy and may not burn evenly.
Using a hygrometer is one of the the best ways to tell if your cigars are at the ideal humidity level. A hygrometer is a tool that measures the amount of moisture in the air.
The video below shows you how to calibrate your hygrometer so that it’s keeping your cigars in the near perfect environment:
By using a hygrometer, you can ensure that you are identifying what humidity for cigars is best so that your cigars are stored at the perfect humidity level.
What Are Some Of The Consequences Of Storing Cigars At The Wrong Humidity Level?
If your cigars are too dry, they will be brittle and may crack or break when you try to smoke them.
If your cigars are too humid, they will be soggy and may not burn evenly.
Storing cigars at the wrong humidity level can also cause them to lose their flavor or become musty.
what humidity for cigars: How To Measure
Now we will discuss the steps to measure what humidity for cigars is best:
Step 1: Get A Humidity Gauge
The first step is to get a humidity gauge.
This can be a simple device that attaches to the lid of your humidor or a more sophisticated unit that mounts inside the humidor.
Step 2: Calibrate The Humidity Gauge
The next step is to calibrate the humidity gauge. This simply means adjusting the reading on the gauge to match the humidity in your humidor.
There are several ways to do this, but one of the most common methods is to use a salt solution.
To make a salt solution, dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water. Then, pour this mixture into a small dish and place it in your humidor.
The humidity in your humidor should now be around 75%. Adjust the calibration on your humidity gauge accordingly.
Step 3: Measure The Humidity
Now that your humidity gauge is calibrated, you can use it to measure the humidity in your humidor.
Place the gauge in a location where it will get an accurate reading and wait a few minutes for it to stabilize.
The reading on the gauge is the actual humidity level in your humidor.
How to Adjust the Humidity in Your Humidor To Reach the Desired Level
There are a couple of ways to adjust the humidity in your humidor.
One is to use distilled water and a humidifier. Another is to use a Humidipak.
Using Distilled Water
To adjust the humidity using distilled water and a humidifier, first find out how much water your humidifier needs to hold to bring the humidity up to the desired level.
Then, fill the humidifier with distilled water and place it in your humidor. The humidity should start to rise within a few hours.
Using Humidipaks
To adjust the humidity using Humidipaks, first find out how many Humidipaks you need to reach the desired level.
Then, place the appropriate number of Humidipaks in your humidor. The humidity should start to rise within a few hours.
How Often Should You Check The Humidity In Your Cigar Humidor?
You should check the relative humidity in your cigar humidor at least once a week.
By doing so, you can ensure that your cigars are being stored at the ideal humidity level.