Humidor Seasoning: Boveda Review

[ctom87]

Hey y'all. I'm starting to really get into cigars, and even more, pipes. I decided to invest in a new humidor. While I was at the local shop, I saw seasoning kits. I decided to pick up a 100 count seasoning kit. My humidor holds 75, so this should be plenty adequate.

I figured I would measure the beginning weight and the final weight of the humidor and each packet (there are 4).

Opening the humidor for the first time, I'm at 61% humidity and it's 69.4*. That is on par with the current temp in the house. I'll post the stats up on that as well.

I'm supposed to leave these four packets in there for 14 days. So in 2 weeks I'll come back with an update. I won't do any "traditional" seasoning...only the Boveda seasoning kit.

[ctom87]

To Start...
Packet 1, 62.38g
packet 2, 62.45g
packet 3, 62.34g
packet 4, 61.28g

Humidor: 1,898g

[ctom87]

Already up to 78% in 24 hours. Humidity in the house has been steady 64%.

[Jon B]

I used the seasoning pack from boveda. I have a glass top that struggles to hold the humidity.

First friendly cigar recommendation....Deadwood Tobacco Company Fat bottomed Betty. I prefer the Gordo.

[ctom87]

I used the seasoning pack from boveda. I have a glass top that struggles to hold the humidity.

First friendly cigar recommendation....Deadwood Tobacco Company Fat bottomed Betty. I prefer the Gordo.

Good deal, going to have to try this!

I'm wondering if a little silicone around the edges would help keep moisture in. I, too, have a glass top.

[Jon B]

Good deal, going to have to try this!

I'm wondering if a little silicone around the edges would help keep moisture in. I, too, have a glass top.

A bunch of the YT channels recommend it. I just don't want to taste it on my cigars.

[ctom87]

I hear you on that Jon.

So, a quick update for the curious. Been at 82% since this morning. There is a visible difference in the grain of the wood, also.

For the woodworkers, you know how when you are sanding and you have 1 grit left, say, 320? If you are like me, you spray the wood down with water to "pop the grain." The extra moisture makes the wood "fuzzy," for lack of a better term. You then sand with your final grit, and you basically guarantee a smoother finish that won't ever "pop" again, because you already took care of every grain that would have popped.

Any, all that to say that the moisture has caused the wood to pop, just like if I were wiping it down with water to make it pop. To me, there has clearly been a transfer of moisture to the wood as that has been a visual indicator.

[kd350]

So excuse my ignorance… but what level of humidity you want? I was given a cigar box and never messed with it, sits in the liquor cabinet. I just go buy a cigar a day or 2 before I smoke it and don’t store them

[Gummi Bear]

Humidor Seasoning: Boveda Review

Seasoning a humidor isn’t all that tough. You’ll want to find one made with spanish cedar.

It does take a few days to do

Day 1:

Toss the “classy looking “ analog hygrometer, and pick up a digital one that is adjustable. Also add a calibration kit to your cart. Follow the instructions on setting and calibrating your hygrometer. This is an important step.

Day 2:

Use a small sponge dampened with distilled water, wring it out. Dampen, but do not soak the wood interior. Close the lid and let it rest for a day or two

Day 3:

Take out the stupid sponge, and toss it. Get some 65% Relative Humidity beads (RH). You can get a tube, or a container that fits where the sponge went. Mist them with distilled water, per the instructions.

Install the beads and new hygrometer. Let the humidor sit for a day or two, and stabilize. When your RH is between 65 and 70%, that’s close enough. Toss in your sticks.


The old advice was to store them at 70* and 70% humidity.

I don’t worry as much about the temp (household temp is fine). I prefer my smoke at 65%, they draw better.

Check in on your humidor at least once a week. Make adjustments as necessary.



Higher humidity will lead to mold / fungus growth on your cigars. Also - stick new cigars in a ziploc and freeze them for a day or so before putting them in your humidor. This will kill any tobacco beetles.

[ctom87]

Good info Gummi Bear! Appreciate the response sir.

Kd350, I am still a rookie but I believe the goal is to achieve about 70%.

The packets I am using say they will go up to 84%. The reason being, I am trying to season the wood so that the wood is at capacity with moisture and doesn't take any moisture present from the cigars or anything else in there. Currently there is no visible moisture, just vapor in the air. And the wood is soaking it up well, but is not wet.

[ctom87]

Today is the day. It's been left untouched for two weeks. The humidity was between 81% and 83% for about the last 10 days or so. The wood should have absorbed all that moisture during that time.

Final results...
Day 0 Day 14 Amt lost
Packet 1, 62.38g - 53.75g = 8.63g
packet 2, 62.45g - 53.63g = 8.82g
packet 3, 62.34g - 54.14g = 8.20g
packet 4, 61.28g - 53.38g = 7.90g

Humidor: 1,898g 1,921g = 23g

So based on this, we can assume that roughly 70% of the moisture released by the packets was absorbed by the wood.

Overall, I think this'll work!

[TxMedic]

Hey y'all. I'm starting to really get into cigars, and even more, pipes. I decided to invest in a new humidor. While I was at the local shop, I saw seasoning kits. I decided to pick up a 100 count seasoning kit. My humidor holds 75, so this should be plenty adequate.

I figured I would measure the beginning weight and the final weight of the humidor and each packet (there are 4).

Opening the humidor for the first time, I'm at 61% humidity and it's 69.4*. That is on par with the current temp in the house. I'll post the stats up on that as well.

I'm supposed to leave these four packets in there for 14 days. So in 2 weeks I'll come back with an update. I won't do any "traditional" seasoning...only the Boveda seasoning kit.

I see you are in Ft Worth…check out Underground Cigar Shop…best group of guys and boutique cigar selection you will find.

[ctom87]

I see you are in Ft Worth…check out Underground Cigar Shop…best group of guys and boutique cigar selection you will find.

Thank you for the recommendation. They are about 10 minutes south of me. Will check them out for sure!

[kmack]

I've got nothing fancy for my humidor, it's just a Scotte Portable Humidor:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725SF3DB/ref=emc_bcc_2_i

I use the small Boveda 69% packs that I pick up from my local shop, Club Humidor. They're about $1 a piece. They work well for me, but I typically smoke my cigars before they can sit too long!

Good luck on the cigar collection!

[dbaio1]

I have had a custom hand made humidor for 25 years. The outer shell is Louisiana Cypress and the internal is Spanish cedar from Brazil. After about 10 years I have zeroed in on the best levels of humidity are 65-70%.