How-To
In short
A new humidor has to take up moisture before its first use. Place a dish of distilled water inside the empty, closed humidor and leave it for three to seven days. Once the hygrometer reads 70 per cent, remove the dish and fit the activated humidifier.
A new humidor arrives dry. The cedar inside is absorbent — put cigars into a dry box and the wood will draw moisture out of them instead of preserving it. Seasoning saturates the wood first, so that afterwards it only regulates.
Tap water contains limescale and germs. Both stay behind in the wood and the humidifier, clog pores and can encourage mould. Distilled water costs very little at any drugstore — it is the one ingredient not to economise on.
The most common mistake is impatience: fill the box after a single day and you will wonder about dry wrappers weeks later. The second is too much water — wiping the humidor out means wiping, not watering. Standing water in the wood leaves stains and, at worst, mould.
Just as common: placing the humidifier right next to the cigars. It releases a lot of moisture locally, and direct contact softens the wrapper.
Once seasoned, a short routine is enough. Check the hygrometer about once a week and recharge the humidifier as soon as it rattles slightly when shaken. Every three months, wipe the interior surfaces with a lightly dampened lint-free cloth. That is all it takes.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-21
Step by step
Wipe the interior with a dry or lightly dampened lint-free cloth. Use distilled water only, and do not soak the wood.
Put a shallow dish of distilled water into the empty humidor and close the lid. The cedar now takes up moisture slowly, through the air.
Check the hygrometer daily. How long the wood needs depends on your room climate — three to seven days is normal. Top up the dish if needed.
Once the hygrometer reads around 70 per cent, the humidor is seasoned. Take out the dish and wipe away any droplets.
Soak the humidifier in distilled water for about 15 minutes, let it drip off and wipe it dry on the outside. Fit it so that it does not touch the cigars — the divider works well as a spacer. Now you can fill the humidor.
Handcrafted, lined with Spanish cedar, room for around 20 to 25 cigars. With hygrometer, humidifier, stainless steel cutter and gift box.
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Usually three to seven days. Wood is a natural material, so the time varies with room climate. What counts is not the calendar but the hygrometer: at around 70 per cent the humidor is ready.
No. Tap water brings limescale and germs into the wood and the humidifier. The limescale clogs the pores of the humidifier and the germs can encourage mould. Use distilled water only.
Normally not. Re-seasoning is only needed if the humidor stood empty and open for a long time, or if humidity dropped well below 60 per cent for weeks.
By weight and sound: a light rattle when shaken shows the polymer crystals have given up their water. Soak the humidifier in distilled water again for about 15 minutes.
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Buying Guide
Buying a Humidor
A good humidor is lined with Spanish cedar, closes tightly and already includes a hygrometer and a humidifier.
Fundamentals
Humidity in a Humidor
Cigars keep best at 65 to 70 per cent relative humidity and 18 to 21 °C.
Gift Guide
A Humidor as a Gift
A humidor is a gift that stays.