No matter how nice or how expensive it may be, properly seasoning your humidor is a crucial and necessary step to ensure it functions correctly. You may have already started collecting your favorite cigars to give out to friends, take golfing, share during special times or for yourself and no one else. If so, you’ve come to realize you have a hefty investment in those stogies. You need to be able to care for them so they can be stored and (if you want) properly aged.

The inside of a humidor is usually lined with Spanish cedar or, in some rare cases, mahogany. These woods are preferred  because they hold humidity well and contain a natural anti-fungal agent that resists mold. In any case, the wood has been kiln dried and, if you simply filled up the humidification device without seasoning, the dried wood would suck up all the moisture, not your desired result.

In order to properly season a humidor, you need distilled water and a brand new sponge. Distilled water should always be used in the humidification device to prevent mineral buildup. Saturate the sponge and wipe down all the interior wood. Don’t be shy. Wipe all exposed interior wood generously, then fill the humidification device according to the directions. Saturate the sponge once more and place it inside the humidor, close the lid, and let it sit for 24 hours. Next day, remove the sponge, wipe down the interior wood one more time, close the lid and let it sit for another 24 hours. Finally, refill the humidification device. Your humidor is now fully seasoned and ready to house your stogie collection.

This is how a desktop humidor that contains a passive humidification device works: the wood retains the humidity and the humidification device replenishes the moisture in the wood. Simple, yes? So be sure you properly season your humidor to make sure it protects your cigar investment!

Till next time, keep Herfin’!