great video. just got my first desktop humidor yesterday and ordered the hydrometer and humidor solution so i can season it and start using it. until those items come, i will purchase the distilled water so i am ready to go when the other items arrive. thank you for sharing
Thank you, I was stuck at 40% and after following your instructions, it jumped to 55% very quickly, i will get the humidity beads, to maintain it. Thanks again.
I love how relaxed your approach is about it..it makes me feel at ease and not so intimidated by getting into cigar smoking Would it hurt to mix different flavors if I keep them in the separate compartments? and How often do I season it?
*gasp* You mean, I can do it all without that 24 hour waiting crap? Awesome! I just bought my first humidor on Tuesday, and I've seasoned it twice with a clean rag and distilled water, and let it sit with the rag on a plastic bag both times for 12 hours a piece. Now, I've got the Xikar 2 oz. bottle in there, settling. But I might just go ahead and put my cigars in now. Thanks for the video!
Bought one yesterday and I seasoned it like how you did. Using a bovada pack and closed it going to wait 24hrs to see what’s up.. right now it’s reading 80-82 is that to much should I open it or will it go down
This way is effective but you have to be careful as to NOT wet the wood too much as it can crack. I use an oasis ac/dc humidifier in my desktop humidor and it works awesome. Keeps it at what you set it at and has a hygrometer built in.
After you season your humidor and it is ready for your cigars is it ok to take your cigars out of the plastic wrappers?...and how ofter do have to season your humidor after the first time it's done??
Great Video....Is it true that you have to have your humidor half full to full for your humidification device to work properly. I have a humidor and that same xikar jar that you have in my humidor which holds about 50-75 cigars. Granted I don't have many cigars in it at all and the humidity drops all the time!!! HELP...........Thanks
But you should have a hygrometer in there all the same just to make sure. Spending cash on good cigars and not spending cash on a ways to ensure their well being doesn't make a whole lotta sense, why risk it?
You don't need to take them out of the cellophane, it's nicely protective to the cigar, yet still breathable. I love when cigars come without them, but they store perfectly in the cellophane.
How much water do you put in the humidifier? Or are you supposed to put water in the humidifier. I have a glass humidor so I ended up sticking the humidifier in the top center of the humidor. Im on my first day of prepping it so really excited to put my cigars in there. Also how could I nurse a cigar back to normal. It feels really firm n I dont want it to go to waste.
Hey man great vid just a couple questions....what was exactly that second humidifier that you had? And second my instruction guide says NOT to saturate the wood with water any advice? Thanks so much!
Question for ya buddy--I just received my first humidor from my wife for christmas. I have a clean cloth and distilled water to season, but my question was regarding the cloth I am planning to use. Do you think the cloth would be ok to use if it has been machine washed with regular tap water a few times? I will be using distilled to season, but was curious if the cloth being previously washed in tap water would cause any harm? Thanks in advance. Jeremy
Good video, I'm a beginner and I have a group I started on FB, I'm going to post your video and I'm giving away a humidor, so this will come in handy!!! Look to see more from you! Best
Would this process work for a humidor that is long dried out ?? I'm having some trouble telling the humidity with my hygrometer, which typically works fine. It keeps reading 54%, then bottoms down to 50%.
Rag should be a new or clean one right? They attract bacteria when wet and could cause mold, no? I just got my first Humidor so I'm a newbie to all this. :P
I agree. When you wipe down the wood you run the risk if the wood sweeling especially around the seals where this guy again put more water increasing the risk,especially on cheaper humidors with thinner sheets of cedar. Secondly it takes longer than a few hours to season a NEW humidor. That might work on an old one you are reseasoning but not a new one. It could take 3 days or longer to properly season a new humidor.Also this guy seems to think that the amount of distilled water you use on the green humidifier affects the humidity it puts out. False. You can overfill it,just turn it upside down on a paper towel to drain excess so it doesn't drip on cigars. . The foam puts out 70%till it starts to dry out. This guy is not very accurate in a lot of areas.
They even make seasoning wipes as you have to get the wood wet just don't SOAK it. The cedar will naturally absorb it and once you're running around 75% consistently then put your cigars in. I've done this tons of times and never has an issue with cracking the wood.
Just use boveda 84%,and leave it in for2 weeks..than put in the packs which you like..basta..the wood is now full of moisture and the humidity wil be balanced
ChuckSchuldinerisGod incorrect info. Never take them out until your going to smoke them. The cellophane wrapper is there to protect the cigars from physical damage. When you buy them at the cigar store there in the wrapper aren't they???? If leaving them in the wrapper would cause them to dry out no reputable cigar manufacturer would ever use them. The cellophane wrapper can breath.
I would never wipe down the interior of my humidor. Slow and steady with Boveda packs to get it started then it's up to the HF beads to keep it regulated.
You don't want to use tap water because it has a high mineral quantity. It's best to not introduce those type of molecules and to use just plain water, the distilled version, being only H2O. It's cleaner and better for the cigars!
From what i know you arent supposed to wet directly the walls because you will leave in the corners more wet areas, better will be to put a damp sponge inside on top of a sandwich bag for couple days and the walls will absorb the water necessary, i know this video is to show u in how to do it quickly.
Productions KF this is incorrect information as well. Wetting the walls of the humidor can cause the wood to swell and crack. Wetting the walls is the lazy man's way
beetle eggs are a normal part of the tobacco plant.some companies freeze their cigars to kill it before shipped to retailers (like Perdomo) eggs will come to life if humidity levels are 75% and up and also hot temperatures above 70F.
This has been a discussion for ever, take them out, leave them in it doesn't make a difference. Some argue that the cigar flavours will mix. An open wrapper is not going to keep your cigar flavours from jumping to other cigars. If you think the flavours mix then segregate your sticks. I take the wrappers off if I have time, if not I just toss them in. Twenty years of smoking and my sticks are never dry.
I'm not spending money on those dumb packs when I can purchase a gallon of distilled water for 3 bucks. The bead jars, sticks etc. need to be saturated for at least 20 minutes to allow for absortion.
your numbers may be dropping cause you're using the xikar as well as what came with it. stick to the xikar by itself and you'll get better results. let it work alone..
It's okay, too. However, the humidifier unit will probably give off moisture a bit quicker and on higher levels, so you want to season your humidor first, then add the humidifier unit and check the humidity level for a week or so. Once it reaches 70% you can stack your cigars in it.
Yeah that's what I'm gonna do I screwed up and literally opened it everyday so my sticks dried on me now I'm just keeping it shut and waiting what happens
Only use distilled water, I only use a small dish in the bottom of the humidor. If you wipe, just wipe lightly with a clean cloth and not paper towels.
Just for clarity if anyone reads this, it was because the cigars were out of the humidor for a while, so naturally they lost some humidity and by putting them in at a little high %, they absorbed that extra moisture quickly.
Over-humidify before the cigars come in, then as they settle in, the moisture will adapt and should maintain around that 68-70%. It's just a balancing act in the beginning as you humidify the box and the cigars for the first time.
You have cigars still with the plastic wrapper. The whole point of the humidor is to get your cigara aclimated to the environment inside the humidor. Got to take em out.
I do take my cellophane off my cigars, BUT cellophane breaths, allowing the cigar to take on the surrounding climate, so you are incorrect in your thinking, about cellophane, it boils down to personal preference really. I don't handle my cigars after they have been put in my humidor, so I take the cellophane off, just for appearance purpose, I just find it looks better without. So store your cigars how you like, either cellophane on or off, it really is a personal choice period.
That is the worst and longest way to do it. Just put boveda packs 1 for 25cigars, if you have humidor capqcity of 100, put 4 of 84% for two weeks inside your humidor without cigars and after two weeks the 69% and thats it
Another great method! Boveda wasn't as popular back then when this vid was made. Plus this method only took a few days compared to multiple weeks. Right now in my wineador I'm actually re-seasoning it with 84% packs from Bevenda :)
Michael Pelligrini True, I'd say outdated advice. I've been reading everything I possibly can and have deduced that water should never touch my cedar. I do the shot glass technique, and just wait a week or so until the humidity gets to about 80.
Less and 2 minutes in and I can already tell you don't know what you're doing. Wiping your humidor with a wet rag is an easy way to destroy your humidor.
How do you destroy the humidor? I have never seen a destroyed humidor from wiping it down, maybe if you saturate the wood. I've started at least ten humidors this way and have never had a problem with warping.
Ive time traveled to December of 2023 and you are still helping us out
Same 😂
I've time traveled from 2024 and you will definitely still be helping people with this video.
@@NextStopConsciousness glad to hear it’s been helpful so you can enjoy more fantastic cigars! 🍂🙌
Thanks bro. 2020 and you vid is still helping people
2023
2024 and still helping. Thx
@@unknowntrucker7010 🍂🙌
11 years later I finally give a thumbs up.
@@bogey19018 🤟
I'm just getting into cigars and needed help with seasoning my humidor and your video helped a lot , thanks !!
Glad it was helpful, enjoy those cigars!
Pretty good video. I just bought my first bundle of cigars and my own humidor. Thanks for the simple instructions.
great video. just got my first desktop humidor yesterday and ordered the hydrometer and humidor solution so i can season it and start using it. until those items come, i will purchase the distilled water so i am ready to go when the other items arrive. thank you for sharing
I use a large glass food container lined with cedar strips with a sealable lid and a bodeva pack. No leaks. Works perfect
Thank you, I was stuck at 40% and after following your instructions, it jumped to 55% very quickly, i will get the humidity beads, to maintain it. Thanks again.
Bovida
Old video I know, but great info. I followed the instructions and my new humidor is tight. Thanks!
Thank you exactly what I was looking for!
Glad it worked for you Mark!
I love how relaxed your approach is about it..it makes me feel at ease and not so intimidated by getting into cigar smoking
Would it hurt to mix different flavors if I keep them in the separate compartments? and How often do I season it?
Lots of people mix different brands of cigars for a unique flavor! God bless!
Thanks for the helpful video ❗💯🔥👍
Glad it helped!
Nice simple and perfect.
Glad you like it!
Great video, great tips
Thanks Eric, glad it helped!
*gasp* You mean, I can do it all without that 24 hour waiting crap? Awesome!
I just bought my first humidor on Tuesday, and I've seasoned it twice with a clean rag and distilled water, and let it sit with the rag on a plastic bag both times for 12 hours a piece. Now, I've got the Xikar 2 oz. bottle in there, settling. But I might just go ahead and put my cigars in now.
Thanks for the video!
Bought one yesterday and I seasoned it like how you did. Using a bovada pack and closed it going to wait 24hrs to see what’s up.. right now it’s reading 80-82 is that to much should I open it or will it go down
Great Vid Kyle, helped me out a lot.
This way is effective but you have to be careful as to NOT wet the wood too much as it can crack. I use an oasis ac/dc humidifier in my desktop humidor and it works awesome. Keeps it at what you set it at and has a hygrometer built in.
I just got the same humidor today from the smokers den in akron ohio.
Solid! I gave this one to a friend many years ago, but it's a solid first humidor!
Pretty sure I saw an Alec Bradley Prensado in that humidor, that's one of my favourites
I still enjoy the Prensado, it's a great cigar!
Can i use PG to rub the inside instead of distilled water? Its all i have on hand right now
No please don't. Only distilled water.
Just out of curiosity. How often do you recommend seasoning the humidor? Obviously when it's low. But how often should you have to do it?
84% boveda seasoning pack. Let sit for 14 days. Done.
That's the easy method we have these days! I'm actually doing that right now to re-season my wineador.
Thank you - good video - have a great New Year...
Dude! Thanks! How did you stick those accessories to the lid? Is it double-sided tape or magnets?
Double sided tape :)
Where did you get those adhesives where you can stick your humidor and thermometer on them
They actually came with the hygrometer. I recommend Xikar.
Do you keep your cigars in the wrapper inside the humidifier or take the wrapper off?
If it comes in it, I leave it. They are breathable and protective to the cigar!
After you season your humidor and it is ready for your cigars is it ok to take your cigars out of the plastic wrappers?...and how ofter do have to season your humidor after the first time it's done??
Great Video....Is it true that you have to have your humidor half full to full for your humidification device to work properly. I have a humidor and that same xikar jar that you have in my humidor which holds about 50-75 cigars. Granted I don't have many cigars in it at all and the humidity drops all the time!!! HELP...........Thanks
If my humidor won't has hygrometer, with what material I can put inside,like the video. Thanks.
But you should have a hygrometer in there all the same just to make sure.
Spending cash on good cigars and not spending cash on a ways to ensure their well being doesn't make a whole lotta sense, why risk it?
I thought I read somewhere you're supposed to take your cigars out of the plastic wrapper. Why did you not do this?
You don't need to take them out of the cellophane, it's nicely protective to the cigar, yet still breathable. I love when cigars come without them, but they store perfectly in the cellophane.
How much water do you put in the humidifier? Or are you supposed to put water in the humidifier. I have a glass humidor so I ended up sticking the humidifier in the top center of the humidor. Im on my first day of prepping it so really excited to put my cigars in there. Also how could I nurse a cigar back to normal. It feels really firm n I dont want it to go to waste.
Hey man great vid just a couple questions....what was exactly that second humidifier that you had? And second my instruction guide says NOT to saturate the wood with water any advice? Thanks so much!
Question for ya buddy--I just received my first humidor from my wife for christmas. I have a clean cloth and distilled water to season, but my question was regarding the cloth I am planning to use. Do you think the cloth would be ok to use if it has been machine washed with regular tap water a few times? I will be using distilled to season, but was curious if the cloth being previously washed in tap water would cause any harm? Thanks in advance.
Jeremy
Very good job you the guy I'm talking to if I have any problems
Hi, how often do you clean your humidor? cheers
Great Information Kyle. Keep up the good work
When you put your cigars in the Humidor does it matter if the plastic is still on or off the cigars ?
Thanks for the fast response!
Walker Spradley
When filling the humidifier, is the solution mixture required or can i just use the distilled water?
nice tutorial! but what would happen if one soak the cedar whith 50%d.water/50%PG?
Any thoughts on hold prevention guys?
sweet!!
Good video, I'm a beginner and I have a group I started on FB, I'm going to post your video and I'm giving away a humidor, so this will come in handy!!!
Look to see more from you!
Best
a lot of folks say to let it all sit in there for 7 days or so before you add cigars. whats your take on this?
thanks, I'll load it up because I'm sick of waiting anyway.
Would this process work for a humidor that is long dried out ?? I'm having some trouble telling the humidity with my hygrometer, which typically works fine. It keeps reading 54%, then bottoms down to 50%.
Yeah I'm using the caliber 3
How long can you use the same container of beads and isn't traditional rule of thumb 70/70?
Good explanation KCCO!
After its done seasoning and after i put the cigars in should I leave it closed for a few weeks to let everything acclimate?
Rag should be a new or clean one right? They attract bacteria when wet and could cause mold, no?
I just got my first Humidor so I'm a newbie to all this. :P
cant you put abowl of water in it instead of a wet rag?
Thank you for a great video, it help me a lot
I was taught to not get wood wet, keep water in shot glass or something
I agree. When you wipe down the wood you run the risk if the wood sweeling especially around the seals where this guy again put more water increasing the risk,especially on cheaper humidors with thinner sheets of cedar. Secondly it takes longer than a few hours to season a NEW humidor. That might work on an old one you are reseasoning but not a new one. It could take 3 days or longer to properly season a new humidor.Also this guy seems to think that the amount of distilled water you use on the green humidifier affects the humidity it puts out. False. You can overfill it,just turn it upside down on a paper towel to drain excess so it doesn't drip on cigars. . The foam puts out 70%till it starts to dry out. This guy is not very accurate in a lot of areas.
seasoning causes wood to expand therefore sealing in humidity.
They even make seasoning wipes as you have to get the wood wet just don't SOAK it. The cedar will naturally absorb it and once you're running around 75% consistently then put your cigars in. I've done this tons of times and never has an issue with cracking the wood.
I seasoned my new humidor and all but the humidity is in the 59-60% range. It is a 50 count and I'm using a jar of beads. Any advice? Thanks.
Just use boveda 84%,and leave it in for2 weeks..than put in the packs which you like..basta..the wood is now full of moisture and the humidity wil be balanced
Will it work with the cellophane on the cigars?
mark hatherillo no
ChuckSchuldinerisGod incorrect info. Never take them out until your going to smoke them. The cellophane wrapper is there to protect the cigars from physical damage. When you buy them at the cigar store there in the wrapper aren't they???? If leaving them in the wrapper would cause them to dry out no reputable cigar manufacturer would ever use them. The cellophane wrapper can breath.
Hey man thanks for the video...are we suppose to put the Humi Beads inside the humidor during the seasoning process or after?
If it is A New dry Box Dont Wet it too mutch the Cider Can Swell And Crack so Be CARFUL
I would never wipe down the interior of my humidor. Slow and steady with Boveda packs to get it started then it's up to the HF beads to keep it regulated.
Why that how you are supposed to do it, boveda hasn’t always been around, wiping down has been the process for decades upon decades, i
@direct contact with water can damage the wood grain.
This video was long before Boveda what it is today. Adding a light coat of distilled water can still work just fine.
Why can you not use tap water?
You don't want to use tap water because it has a high mineral quantity. It's best to not introduce those type of molecules and to use just plain water, the distilled version, being only H2O. It's cleaner and better for the cigars!
From what i know you arent supposed to wet directly the walls because you will leave in the corners more wet areas, better will be to put a damp sponge inside on top of a sandwich bag for couple days and the walls will absorb the water necessary, i know this video is to show u in how to do it quickly.
Productions KF this is incorrect information as well. Wetting the walls of the humidor can cause the wood to swell and crack. Wetting the walls is the lazy man's way
Thanks!
perfectly fine to dampen the wood, it wont warp unless you're soaking the hell out of it
thanks
What are the beads for?
You leave them in the plastic?
If it comes in it, I leave it. They are breathable and protective to the cigar!
How exactly do you get beetles?? Are they already in my cigars?? This has confused me for so long and I can't find an answer
flatpicker15 Some cigars have beetle eggs, its luck of the draw wether you get bugs or not
beetle eggs are a normal part of the tobacco plant.some companies freeze their cigars to kill it before shipped to retailers (like Perdomo) eggs will come to life if humidity levels are 75% and up and also hot temperatures above 70F.
shit man we have the same humidor and humidifier good stuff
Green foam gets mold in a minute..never use that stuff..beads and sachets are where its at..
RIP in peace
If you got two weeks to spare use the boveda 84 season pack that's what I used and my cigars are old (aged) and fresh.
how sad your cigars got evicted
aren't you supposed to take the cigars out the wrapper, if your using a humidor??
Daniel Jaquez correct
Daniel Jaquez no!!!!! You never take them out until you smoke them!!!!!!
This has been a discussion for ever, take them out, leave them in it doesn't make a difference. Some argue that the cigar flavours will mix. An open wrapper is not going to keep your cigar flavours from jumping to other cigars. If you think the flavours mix then segregate your sticks. I take the wrappers off if I have time, if not I just toss them in. Twenty years of smoking and my sticks are never dry.
If u keep them in the celophan... cigar beetles cant get out and into the other sticks ;)
( if u did the mistake to put a larva infected one in)
Boveda packets work best I had 2 of those dumb bead jars at once didn't do squat
I'm not spending money on those dumb packs when I can purchase a gallon of distilled water for 3 bucks. The bead jars, sticks etc. need to be saturated for at least 20 minutes to allow for absortion.
Mike F Well those "dumb" packs can be rehumidified with distilled water.
brandon greenwood i dont know why anyone would waste their time with all this mess when the Boveda packs are avno brainer
brandon greenwood also you dont have to keep checking the humidity levels the packs always maintain it for 3months
True my friend and they last longer.
your numbers may be dropping cause you're using the xikar as well as what came with it. stick to the xikar by itself and you'll get better results. let it work alone..
Hi
what happens if you only use distilled water on the sponge and no propylene??
It's okay, too. However, the humidifier unit will probably give off moisture a bit quicker and on higher levels, so you want to season your humidor first, then add the humidifier unit and check the humidity level for a week or so. Once it reaches 70% you can stack your cigars in it.
Well, aside of the humidification spike, PG solution helps to protect against mold.
Yeah that's what I'm gonna do I screwed up and literally opened it everyday so my sticks dried on me now I'm just keeping it shut and waiting what happens
You can rehydrate your cigars, so no worries
I've read your not suppose to wet the inside of your humidor it cause the wood to mold and ruin the humidor
Only use distilled water, I only use a small dish in the bottom of the humidor. If you wipe, just wipe lightly with a clean cloth and not paper towels.
You put your sticks in at 79%, shouldn't you wait until its at like 73?
Just for clarity if anyone reads this, it was because the cigars were out of the humidor for a while, so naturally they lost some humidity and by putting them in at a little high %, they absorbed that extra moisture quickly.
Did u say 79% humidity? Your cigars are going to feel like sponges in a few days.
Over-humidify before the cigars come in, then as they settle in, the moisture will adapt and should maintain around that 68-70%. It's just a balancing act in the beginning as you humidify the box and the cigars for the first time.
61% is perfectly fine.
2022
Lets go!
You have cigars still with the plastic wrapper. The whole point of the humidor is to get your cigara aclimated to the environment inside the humidor. Got to take em out.
No you don't. With that logic why would they sell them in cigar shop humidors still in the cellophane?
ChuckSchuldinerisGod incorrect. Cellophane breaths
i keep my wraps on to protect them
I do take my cellophane off my cigars, BUT cellophane breaths, allowing the cigar to take on the surrounding climate, so you are incorrect in your thinking, about cellophane, it boils down to personal preference really. I don't handle my cigars after they have been put in my humidor, so I take the cellophane off, just for appearance purpose, I just find it looks better without. So store your cigars how you like, either cellophane on or off, it really is a personal choice period.
Couldn't you get by using heated tap water ??
MOLD!!!
is that a chive shirt I spy
That is the worst and longest way to do it. Just put boveda packs 1 for 25cigars, if you have humidor capqcity of 100, put 4 of 84% for two weeks inside your humidor without cigars and after two weeks the 69% and thats it
Another great method! Boveda wasn't as popular back then when this vid was made. Plus this method only took a few days compared to multiple weeks. Right now in my wineador I'm actually re-seasoning it with 84% packs from Bevenda :)
After two weeks take the 84% out and put in 4 69% ??
Not hold but mould prevention? Bloody auto spell😀
Hahahahahah😂😂😂😂😂
I'd stick to distilled water. Propelyne Glycol is not all that great for you.
You're eventually going To ruin your humidor By wiping down the entire Box. If you knew anything about cigars and humidors you would know this.
@kkh369 hahaha, if you say so kind sir. Its his right to destroy his own things.
Never ruined a single humidor with a light application of distilled water. You just can't be in a hurry and apply too much. Light coats is the key.
All wrong bad advise
Michael Pelligrini True, I'd say outdated advice. I've been reading everything I possibly can and have deduced that water should never touch my cedar. I do the shot glass technique, and just wait a week or so until the humidity gets to about 80.
Less and 2 minutes in and I can already tell you don't know what you're doing.
Wiping your humidor with a wet rag is an easy way to destroy your humidor.
How do you destroy the humidor? I have never seen a destroyed humidor from wiping it down, maybe if you saturate the wood. I've started at least ten humidors this way and have never had a problem with warping.