Proper cigar storage is crucial. If you do not store your cigars properly you may encounter some of the following problems: uneven or too rapid burn, harsh or bitter taste, broken wrapper, difficulty lighting or keeping the cigar lit, mold, and tiny holes in your cigars, a sign of tobacco beetle infestation.

The humidor, in its simplest form, is just a storage medium for cigars. Cigars are perishable products. If not stored properly, cigars will dry out, become brittle, and lose their ability to provide their wonderful smoking pleasure. Cigars could not simply be stored in a box, because to keep them at their peak freshness and flavor, they require a critical element: humidity. It is commonly agreed that a 70% humidity factor is the norm.

Almost all humidors have three features in common:

• Spanish Cedar: This type of cedar is considered the finest. It will not absorb the flavor of the cigars, nor will it act as a "sponge" and remove the moisture.
• Humidification Unit: A humidification unit is a device attached to the inner lid of the humidor that includes a housing and a substance to hold the moisture. The most common type uses a sponge.
• Hydrometer: A hydrometer is a gauge which indicates the humidity in the humidor.

The proper moisture conditions of the humidor wood (usually Spanish Cedar) should be created before using it to store your Cigars. Follow the following simple instructions to set it up after purchase:

1. Submerge the humidifiers in distilled water until well saturated. Dry off the surface of the humidifier and place on a towel for approximately one hour to make sure that no dripping occurs.
2. Fill a plastic cup or dish with distilled water and place it inside the humidor.
3. Some humidor manufacturers will advise you to dampen the humidor with a water filled sponge, but we've been advised against this by people who work with wood. If you subject raw wood to water it may swell, crack or otherwise become compromised. The sponge may contain particles that can contaminate the humidor. If anyway you will wipe your humidor's interior, use a clean cloth and take care not to leave the surfaces with excess of water.
4. Attach the humidifiers and the hygrometer to the inside of the lid. Also, place the humidifiers in the bottom holders of the humidor if applicable.
5. Close the empty humidor for 3 to 7 days depending on the size of the humidor. If you note that the water in the plastic cup is reduced in a considerable amount after this period just refill it with water and wait for a couple of days. If after these period the water level is the same then your humidor is ready to use.
6. Open the humidor and remove the plastic cup or dish with water.

Your humidor is now ready to store cigars. But we will advice that you should check frequently the humidity level in the humidor for the first weeks of use.

Once the humidor has been properly setup, make sure the humidity and temperature stay at 70% and 70 degrees F. A degree or two off will not affect the cigars. If you live in a hot and humid area (Florida, for example), you might want to maintain the humidor at 68/68. If you live in the mountains of Colorado, where the humidity and temperatures are low, 72/72 might work a little better.

Just remember to check your cigars by pinching them occasionally. "The pros" can tell freshness by this method better than any hydrometer! Since most people keep their homes between 68 and 72 degrees, it is actually easy to maintain the proper temperature. In fact, very little needs to be done. Accordingly, humidors rarely come with a device that measures temperature.

Since most people who have a humidor will be using it on a daily basis, it is very easy to check the cigars for freshness and the hydrometer for the proper humidity. If the humidity falls below 70%, add a little distilled waster to the humidification device. In the average home, this might have to be done weekly.

If you live in a dry climate you may have to do this more often. If you live in a wet climate, you may get away with doing this a bit less often. If the humidity becomes too high, leave the lid open for a short time and watch the hydrometer. Once it falls back to the proper level, close the lid. You can also add additional cigars which will, of course, absorb some of the excess moisture. After a short while, you will become adept at maintaining the humidor at the proper humidity level.