Cigar collecting may seem like a simple hobby: Put the cigars on a shelf or in your refrigerator until you are ready to smoke them. However, cigars are hygroscopic, which means that they dry out over time when in a dry environment or absorb too much moisture when in too much humidity. Either of these effects can ruin the taste and texture of even the best cigars. To prevent drying or moistening, cigar aficionados keep their collectors' items in humidors to control the humidity. While professional solution, also called humidor juice, is available, many collectors decide to make their own.
Choose a small container to hold your humidor solution. Cigar Box online humidor guide recommends a travel soap dish or a film tube. Make sure there is proper airflow through the container; you may need to cut or drill a few holes to allow air to flow through the container.
Cut your wet Oasis foam so that it fits into your container loosely. Oasis foam comes in blocks; it is often used in floral arrangements to hold flowers upright. There must be enough room for air to flow around the container and across the surface of the Oasis foam or the humidor solution will not properly regulate humidity.
Mix equal parts propylene glycol and distilled water in a small bowl. The amount needed will vary depending on the size of your Oasis foam; you will need enough to moisten the piece of foam.
Dip the foam into the propylene glycol/water solution to dampen it. Do not soak the foam, as this will cause a dramatic increase in humidity. Just dampen it enough so that it is moist to the touch.
Place the dampened foam in the container. Add the container to your humidor to allow it to start regulating humidity.
Things You'll Need:
- Small container
- Scissors
- Oasis wet foam
- Propylene glycol
- Distilled water
- Bowl
Tip
You can find wet Oasis foam at florists and craft scores; do not use dry Oasis foam, or the solution will not help maintain your humidor. You can find propylene glycol at pharmacies; you may need to talk directly to a pharmacist to get this chemical.
Use distilled water from a grocery store. Do not use tap water; the chemicals in the water can cause mold growth or contaminate your cigars.
Depending on the size of your humidor, it can take the solution up to a week to properly regulate the humidity.
Tips
- You can find wet Oasis foam at florists and craft scores; do not use dry Oasis foam, or the solution will not help maintain your humidor. You can find propylene glycol at pharmacies; you may need to talk directly to a pharmacist to get this chemical.
- Use distilled water from a grocery store. Do not use tap water; the chemicals in the water can cause mold growth or contaminate your cigars.
- Depending on the size of your humidor, it can take the solution up to a week to properly regulate the humidity.
Writer Bio
Samantha Volz has been involved in journalistic and informative writing for over eight years. She holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with a minor in European history. In college she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper and completed a professional internship with the "Williamsport Sun-Gazette," serving as a full-time reporter. She resides in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
Related Articles
