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【Cigar 101】 How to Season an Electric Humidor
Introduction
For anyone passionate about cigars, a quality humidor is an indispensable companion. It maintains the ideal humidity and temperature levels that keep your cigars tasting rich and full-bodied. Yet one of the most commonly overlooked steps—especially among newcomers—is properly seasoning the humidor before use. In this guide, we will walk you through all the essential steps, practical insights, and expert-level advice so you can season your electric humidor efficiently and with confidence.
Why Is Seasoning Your Humidor So Important?
A brand-new electric humidor arrives with a dry interior. Loading cigars straight into an unseasoned unit can cause them to dry out, crack, lose their natural oils, and ultimately lose all the flavor you paid for. That's a fast track to ruined sticks.
The core purpose of a humidor is to keep your cigars in a consistently moist environment. Before it can do that, the interior wood needs to absorb enough moisture to reach and sustain the right humidity balance—typically between 68%–72% RH. This conditioning process is what cigar enthusiasts call "seasoning."
What You'll Need
✔ Distilled water
✔ Boveda humidity packs (optional — more on this below)
✔ A fresh, unused sponge or soft cloth
✔ A glass bowl or stainless steel dish
✘ Hygrometer — not required for electric models with built-in sensors, though needed for traditional humidors
✘ External humidification device — also unnecessary for electric humidors, but essential for manual ones
Note: Many modern electric cigar humidors come equipped with a built-in water tank and humidity probe, which means you won't need to set up any separate humidification devices or hygrometers.
How to Season an Electric Humidor
Inspect and Plug In
Start by examining your humidor to confirm it's in good working order. Set it up in a stable spot that stays out of direct sunlight. Read through the user manual, then allow the unit to rest for about half a day before you power it on. This gives the internal components time to acclimate.
Wipe Down the Interior and Cedar Shelves
Take a fresh, clean cloth and gently wipe down all interior wooden surfaces and cedar shelves using a small amount of distilled water. This removes any dust, residue, or subtle odors. Be careful not to over-saturate the wood—excessive moisture can lead to warping.
Begin Humidifying the Interior
Soak your sponge or cloth in cool distilled water. Wring it gently—leave it damp, not dripping. Place the sponge on a glass dish or inside the water tank, then set it on one of the cedar shelves.
Close the humidor door and wait 7 days—or up to 2 full weeks for best results. For smaller humidors (under 26L), 5–7 days is usually sufficient. Larger units (26L and above) benefit from a longer 7–14 day period. We suggest erring on the side of patience to guarantee thorough humidification.
Set the humidity on the LED display to around 75%–80% RH. This is intentionally about 5% above the normal operating range. The reason? Once you add your cigars, they'll absorb a noticeable amount of moisture on their own, so starting higher ensures a stable environment. Keep the temperature set to 68–70°F.
Important Notes:
① Always use distilled water—never tap water, as minerals in tap water encourage mold growth.
② Never lay the sponge directly on cedar shelves. This can pool water and warp the wood.
③ Check the sponge periodically. If it has dried out, re-soak it and place it back.
④ Early humidity readings may be inaccurate—give it time for the wood to absorb enough moisture before judging.
⑤ Resist the temptation to open the door frequently. Every opening lets moisture escape.
【Tip】 Consider Boveda Humidity Packs Instead of Distilled Water
Boveda humidity packs offer a convenient, low-effort alternative for achieving consistent moisture levels. For the seasoning phase, we recommend 84% RH packs. Simply remove the pack from its wrapper and place it inside the humidor—it will immediately begin releasing moisture into the environment.
Choose the right quantity based on the size of your humidor. For a 50-cigar capacity unit, two 84% RH Boveda packs will do. Larger humidors can hold more packs—distribute them evenly across multiple shelves for uniform coverage.
Allow 3–7 days, or up to 2 weeks, for full seasoning. Boveda packs typically last around 2 months, so you won't need to replace them during the initial seasoning process.
Notes on Boveda Packs:
① Opt for the 75% RH or 84% RH packs during seasoning—the elevated humidity speeds up the conditioning process.
② Once seasoning is complete, swap them out for 69% or 72% RH packs. Keeping humidity too high long-term can interfere with cigar aging and may cause wrapper splitting.
How to Tell If Seasoning Was Successful
After at least 7 days, check the LED display. If the humidity reads between 75%–80% RH, you can test for stability. Open the humidor door for 2–3 minutes—the readings will naturally drop. Then close the door and wait about 10 minutes. If the humidity bounces back to its previous level, your seasoning is a success. If not, keep it sealed for another day and test again. Once you're satisfied, remove the sponge and glass dish, then top off the water tank with fresh distilled water.
Placing Your Cigars
We suggest stocking your humidor to at least half its capacity and maintaining that level over time. Avoid overpacking—leaving around 20% of the interior space empty allows air and moisture to circulate freely, reaching every cigar evenly.
For humidors 48L or larger, the lower shelves tend to hold the most consistent humidity and temperature. The middle and upper shelves may vary slightly. A good rule of thumb: place box-aged cigars on the bottom and unwrapped (naked) cigars—those without cellophane—on the middle and upper tiers.
Once loaded, fine-tune the humidity and temperature to match your personal preferences. As a general benchmark, aim for around 68–70% RH and a temperature between 68°F–70°F.
Regular Maintenance
Make it a daily habit to glance at the temperature and humidity readings on the LED screen. If the temperature dips below 60°F, it's time to refill the water tank with distilled water.
Top off the distilled water supply every 2–4 weeks as a standard practice.
If you're using Boveda packs for ongoing humidity control, choose either 69% or 72% RH versions depending on your preference. Replace them when they harden—this is a sign the moisture has been fully spent. Boveda packs typically last about 2 months, though your cigar count and storage conditions can shorten or extend that lifespan.
Notes:
① Don't mix Boveda packs of different humidity levels in the same humidor—this compromises accuracy.
② Stick with distilled water. Tap water introduces minerals that promote mold.
③ Keep the door sealed at all times except when retrieving cigars or checking conditions inside.
Adjusting for Climate and Seasonal Changes
Living in a dry or arid region? You'll need to replenish your humidification source more frequently. If your area experiences dramatic seasonal shifts, keep a close watch on humidity levels during winter—especially if you're running a heater, which pulls moisture from the air. In hot, humid summer months, indoor humidity tends to climb, which can push your humidor above the ideal range. If the reading stays consistently above 72% RH, it's time to take steps to lower it. The sweet spot to aim for remains 68%–70% RH.
How to Bring Humidity Down
Reduce humidity gradually—never leave the humidor door wide open all day, as sudden drops in moisture can harm both your cigars and the interior wood. Instead, temporarily remove the water from the tank or pull out the Boveda packs. Give it a few hours or a full day. Once the humidity has dropped to a comfortable level, return the water supply or packs. This slow-and-steady approach may take a day or two, but it protects your collection.
The Smart Choice for Effortless Cigar Storage
Seasoning a new electric humidor is the first and most critical step toward properly aging your cigars. If you're just starting out, we hope this guide gives you the confidence to take that step. While maintaining a humidor is an ongoing commitment, busy schedules and daily life can make it challenging to stay on top of every detail. That's exactly why electric cigar humidors have become the go-to solution—they simplify the care process and make cigar storage almost effortless.
The latest generation of smart electric humidors can independently regulate both temperature and humidity. They feature built-in water tanks and precision sensors (±1°F, ±3% RH) that automatically adjust conditions to keep your humidor between 54°F–74°F and 60%–75% RH. Rain or shine, summer or winter—your cigars stay protected in a perfectly controlled environment. With upgraded water circulation systems, maintenance intervals are even longer, meaning less hands-on work for you.
These advanced humidors come in a range of capacities—from compact personal units holding around 100 cigars up to large-format cabinets that store 1,200 or more, perfect for hosting friends and family or building an impressive collection.
