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How to Season an Electric Humidor: Easy Steps
Electric humidors deliver a superior level of temperature and humidity management compared to their non-electric counterparts. They allow you to fine-tune the thermostat and humidifier with precision, giving you full command over the internal climate without relying on extra accessories.
But once you bring your electric humidor home, what should you tackle first? Before anything else, seasoning your humidor is absolutely essential. As you will discover, this step is critical for conditioning the unit and establishing the ideal storage environment for your cigars.
In this guide, we walk you through how to season an electric humidor from start to finish, how to keep humidity levels steady afterward, and the most frequent pitfalls you should steer clear of.
Why Season an Electric Humidor?
When we mention seasoning, it often draws a chuckle because many folks picture tossing salt, pepper, and herbs into their humidor โ rest assured, that is not what we mean! Seasoning is the practice of ensuring your humidor maintains the perfect conditions for cigar preservation, not for adding flavor to a meal.
Why is this necessary? When you first purchase an electric humidor, the internal temperature and humidity levels can be unpredictable. The unit has not yet been used or calibrated, which means the wood inside has not absorbed any moisture.
As a result, if you place your prized cigars into an unseasoned humidor, you risk them drying out, losing their oils, and deteriorating in flavor far more quickly than they should.
The Seasoning Process
There are a handful of seasoning techniques out there, such as wiping the interior wood with distilled water, but we recommend the sponge method because it is the most effective at drawing moisture evenly into the wood. Before you begin, always consult the manufacturer's instructions for any specific guidance and important do's and don'ts. Once you are ready, follow these steps:
Unpack your electric humidor and position it in its designated location.
Take a clean sponge and soak it thoroughly in distilled water or a propylene glycol solution.
Once the sponge is fully saturated, wring out the excess liquid.
Set the sponge inside the electric humidor on top of a plastic bag to protect the wood.
Calibrate the humidification device and place it inside the humidor.
Seal the door and allow the humidor to sit undisturbed for a full 24 hours.
After 24 hours, open the door and inspect the humidity levels.
If humidity has not reached the target range of 65โ70%, close the door and let it rest for an additional 24 hours.
Once the desired humidity level is achieved, remove the sponge and plastic bag.
Pro Tip
When seasoning an electric humidor, keep in mind that the entire process can take anywhere from 2 to 7 days. Patience is key โ avoid rushing or taking impulsive shortcuts that you believe will speed things up, as they can compromise the results.
Maintaining Proper Humidity Levels
Once the initial seasoning is complete, you can confidently load your finest cigars into the humidor and let them rest in optimal storage conditions. The heavy lifting is behind you, but keeping humidity levels consistent does require a bit of ongoing attention. Here is what you should do:
Monitor humidity and temperature readings on a regular basis.
Top off the humidification device whenever it runs low.
Keep the humidor door firmly sealed at all times unless you are retrieving or checking on your cigars.
The humidification unit will need periodic refilling as the propylene glycol solution gradually evaporates. You can conveniently track humidity and temperature levels at any time by checking the digital control panel on your electric humidor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
By now you should have a solid understanding of how to properly season an electric humidor. Before we wrap up, here are some common errors that people frequently make โ and that you should be sure to avoid:
Never place your sponge directly on the bare wooden floor of the humidor.
Never store cigars inside the humidor before seasoning is complete.
Resist the urge to leave the door open or repeatedly crack it during the process.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Setting a wet sponge directly on cedar wood can lead to warping and long-term damage. Likewise, placing cigars into a humidor that has not been properly seasoned is the fastest way to ruin their flavor. Above all else, read the instructions thoroughly and never skip the seasoning process without first reviewing what the manufacturer recommends for your specific device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should an electric humidor be set at?
The optimal temperature for storing cigars is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This closely replicates the tropical climate in which tobacco leaves were originally cultivated and cured.
How long does it take to season an electric humidor?
Depending on the size of the electric humidor, seasoning typically requires between 24 and 48 hours to complete correctly. By that point, humidity should have climbed to the desired 65โ70% range, and the temperature should also be hovering around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
What happens if you don't season an electric humidor?
If you simply toss your cigars into an unseasoned humidor, the dry wood will strip moisture from them instead of preserving it. This is the exact opposite of what a humidor is supposed to do. Proper seasoning conditions the interior to retain humidity and creates the stable environment your cigars need to age gracefully.
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