Humidification is what distinguishes a humidor from any other sealed container. Otherwise, a desk drawer would suffice. But because cigar tobacco must maintain a certain amount of moisture in order to combust correctly, it must be stored in a space filled withed an adequate amount of humidity.

Creating consistent humidification in your humidor not only prevents those stogies from drying out and cracking, but it also prevents them from prematurely losing their flavor. However, too much humidification can run the risk of mold forming or cigars not burning properly.

Since cigars are hygroscopic, they absorb moisture easily. This means a lot rests on you and your humidifier, as together you strive to create a "Goldilocks zone" for your cigars. So just how do you do that, you might ask? Well, having the right humidifier in play is a great place to start...  

Components of a Humidor

Before we get to discussing the ins and outs humidor humidifiers, we should probably cover the primary components within the average humidor. Although there are many humidor types out there, the rise in popularity of cigars at the turn of the 20th century in America has caused some standardized design elements to be implemented in most humidors. 

The Hygrometer

A hygrometer is a device that measures the relative humidity (RH) of an enclosed space. In order to register the dew point in the air, hygrometers measure how close the air is to creating condensation. An accurate hygrometer reading is crucial, so whether you have an analog or digital hygrometer, making sure that it is working correctly is vital to your cigar collection's longevity.

Although digital hygrometers can register both temperature and humidity and are easy to read, smart hygrometers like the Klaro Valet offer even more detailed readings and can be observed remotely via any connected smart device. And while analog hygrometers use a more antiquated technology to achieve their readings, they too can be incredibly accurate when properly calibrated. That said, you will also find humidors without a hygrometer, like travel humidors for instance, so having a spare hygrometer handy is never a bad idea if you plan on keeping cigars inside for a prolonged period of time.

The Humidifier

The humidifier in a humidor serves a single purpose: Control the humidity levels by acting as the source and receptor of hydration. 

When there is a low amount of humidity in the air, the humidifier releases moisture. As humidity levels grow high, it absorbs moisture to lower the relative humidity. Often, water or a propylene glycol solution is used as the humidifier’s primary source of hydration. More on this a bit later... 

The Frame

The frame is the outer shell of the humidor. Walls, base, and any component that is permanently affixed qualifies. It's the standing structure that holds your smokes, and yes, it does usually have a specialized lining as you shall soon see.

The Interior

Similar to the humidifier, the materials that make up the inside of your humidor's lining should absorb and release humidity as required. And nothing is better than some good old Spanish cedar. Of course, there are other types of wood you can use to make a humidor, but Spanish cedar is best reserved for the interior, or at least, parts of the interior, as it breathes beautifully, smells sensational, and repels rot.

The Lid

The key to humidors is containing that trapped moisture, so the weaker that lid's seal, the harder it is going to be for that humidor to control the humidification levels inside. 

While a solid seal is crucial, opening the humidor too often can also adversely influence RH levels. So if you are prone to staring longingly at your smokes, consider a glass top humidor to reduce the urge to unnecessarily open that lid. 

Types of Humidor Humidifiers

Being that the humidor's humidifier is the primary source of humidity, having the right setup is crucial to your success. Not all humidifiers are created equal, with the following options being the most common.

Floral Foam

Floral foam, or "oasis foam" as it is sometimes called, is an old school humidifier that you do still come across on occasion in humidors. Often encased in a plastic container with ventilation ports to allow moisture to escape, this was the standard humidification device for the longest time. While the material is excellent at absorbing a high amount of moisture, it can cause mold to form and will need to be replenished with water once every week or two, and should be replaced every 6–12 months.

Crystal Gels

Crystal gels can absorb and release moisture easily and often come in a jar or cylinder container of some sort. To activate, simply pour distilled water over the gels so they can absorb the moisture and expand. When placed in a humidor these humidifiers will release and absorb moisture as needed. However, they are prone to releasing a high amount of moisture, so it’s imperative you monitor your humidity levels with a good hygrometer to prevent over-saturating your cigars. On the upside, you only have to add water once every 2–4 weeks on average, and replacement doesn't occur until after a year or two. 

Silica Beads

You’ve likely seen a packet of silica beads included in packaged goods like internationally imported items. The reason they are used is because silica can adsorb and release moisture. Adsorption takes place when the water molecules collect on the surface of the beads, as opposed to cystal gels, which absorb the humidity  directly into the bead. While they may be durable and can last 3–6 years, reliable humidity levels are not always easily achievable with this kind of humidifier.

Humidity Packs

Humidity packs help regulate humidity in a similar fashion to beads and gels, but instead rely upon a solution of salt and water, or a plant-based formula contained within a pouch. Depending on the needs of the solution contained within, the soft membrane that creates the pouch allows for humidity to be released or absorbed. Since they typically come in various strengths, humidity packs also allow you to make a purchase with a specific humidity in mind. 

Over time, salt-based humidity packs will dry out and require replacement when they begin to feel brittle and hard. While replacement time frames vary based upon relative humidity levels within a humidor, an average of every 2–3 months tends to be the norm with these products. In contrast, plant-based humidity packs do not dry out, and therefore require a notification card with a color-changing dot to let you know when it is time to swap them out. 

Tobacco Nerd Note: At Klaro, we have seen great success with Integra Boost Packs, which explains why we only use their products in humidity pack applications. Not only do they hold solid humidity levels year-round, but they also are not prone to imparting aromas or flavors into the cigars around them like saline-based packs can sometimes do.

Electronic Humidifiers

Electronic humidifiers are the most proactive in responding to dips in humidity levels. These units electronically monitor humidity and will automatically turn on when an RH reading drops to a predesignated point. While they may be more expensive, electronic humidifiers allow you the flexibility of having tighter controls and a relatively hassle-free humidifying setup that is self-monitoring. However, electronic humidifiers do require a steady supply of clean water, so if you don't have a unit that relies upon a hard line with an integrated filter you are going to need to routinely refill that tank with H2O.

Hydro Systems

As for Klaro humidors, the majority of our products rely upon our own in-house engineered humidifier: The Hydro System. Available in both a large, underfloor mounted Hydro Tray configuration, and a slim, vertically standing Hydro Channel setup, these patented designs are the heartbeat of every Klaro humidor. Utilizing a proprietary propylene glycol solution and a gel compound, our Hydro Systems humidify the surrounding environment cleanly and efficiently. Since no water is used, this also helps you effectively prevent humidor mold from forming.

Refill schedules vary depending upon the climate or humidity levels of the room in which the humidor has been placed, but in winter it is common to have to refill the unit once every month or so with our Winter + Dry Climate Solution. That said, excessively humid environments sometimes do not require the usage of this kind of humidifier, with certain Klaro customers removing their Hydro System in summer, and then reinstalling it in autumn when the humidity drops!

Parting Puffs

So if you have a properly functioning humidifier and a good hygrometer in a well-built humidor, what are the ideal parameters for humidity? Opinions on this topic may vary a bit, but generally speaking the following tips will help ensure those cigars are resting in an ideal environment. 

• Keep cigars stored as close to 70°F as possible. Lower temps will prevent the solution from evaporating properly and can dry out the humidor's interior. In contrast, higher temps may cause humidity levels to spike, so maintaining a temperature-controlled equilibrium is very important.

• Winter months and dry climates require some due diligence and a bit more maintenance. Frequently check your humidifiers to see if they require solution or water, for you must maintain a high enough of a humidity level when that mercury drops and dry heat starts blowing through those furnace vents. If you have a Klaro humidor, be sure to switch over to the aforementioned Winter + Dry Climate Solution, as it will add an extra bump in humidity to that Hydro System. 
  
  
• Rotate your cigars once every week or two. Remember, tobacco absorbs and releases moisture, so routinely moving those sticks around inside your humidor is only going to help balance those RH levels.