Cigars 101
How to Season a Humidor
Whether you are choosing your first cigar or comparing familiar favorites, understanding size makes it easier to know what you are getting. Cigar size is defined by length and ring gauge, and those measurements can influence smoking time, draw, burn, and how the blend develops as you smoke. Cigar Sizes Explained is about understanding how length, ring gauge, and shape can change your smoking experience. Prep your humidor the right way.
Cigars
101
How to Season a Humidor
Whether you are choosing your first cigar or comparing familiar favorites, understanding size makes it easier to know what you are getting. Cigar size is defined by length and ring gauge, and those measurements can influence smoking time, draw, burn, and how the blend develops as you smoke. Cigar Sizes Explained is about understanding how length, ring gauge, and shape can change your smoking experience. Prep your humidor the right way.
Why Seasoning a Humidor Matters
Before you store a single cigar, your humidor needs to be properly seasoned. This process prepares the wood inside your humidor to hold humidity evenly, so it doesn’t pull moisture from your cigars. Skipping this step can dry out cigars, damage flavor, and lead to inconsistent burns. The good news: seasoning a humidor is simple when done correctly.
Most humidors are lined with Spanish cedar, a wood that naturally absorbs and releases moisture. When brand new, that wood is dry.
If you add cigars too soon:
The wood pulls moisture from the cigars.
Cigars dry out and lose flavor.
Humidity becomes unstable and difficult to manager.
Seasoning allows the interior wood to absorb moisture first, creating a balanced environment for proper cigar storage.
Why Seasoning a Humidor Matters
Before you store a single cigar, your humidor needs to be properly seasoned. This process prepares the wood inside your humidor to hold humidity evenly, so it doesn’t pull moisture from your cigars. Skipping this step can dry out cigars, damage flavor, and lead to inconsistent burns. The good news: seasoning a humidor is simple when done correctly.
Most humidors are lined with Spanish cedar, a wood that naturally absorbs and releases moisture. When brand new, that wood is dry.
If you add cigars too soon:
The wood pulls moisture from the cigars.
Cigars dry out and lose flavor.
Humidity becomes unstable and difficult to manager.
Seasoning allows the interior wood to absorb moisture first, creating a balanced environment for proper cigar storage.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather the basics
HUMIDOR
HUMIDITY SOURCE
DISTILLED WATER
HYGROMETER
What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather the basics:
DISTILLED WATER
HUMIDITY SOURCE
HUMIDOR
HYGROMETER
Method 1:
How to Season with Humidity Packs (recommended)
This is the simplest and safest method, especially for beginners.
Step 1:
Place Seasoning Packs Inside
Use high-humidity packs (typically 84%) and place them inside your empty humidor.
Need humidity packs? Shop Boveda Packs
Step 2:
Close the Lid & Wait
Seal the humidor and leave it undisturbed. Allow the humidor to sit closed for 10–14 days. Avoid opening it during this time.
Step 3:
Check Humidity
After the waiting period, your hygrometer should read around 68–72% RH. Once stable, your humidor is ready for cigars. After seasoning, replace the high-humidity pack with a lower RH pack designed for long-term cigar storage.
Method 2:
Traditional Seasoning Method
This method requires more attention but works faster.
Step 1:
Lightly Wipe the Interior
Using a clean cloth and distilled water, gently wipe the Spanish cedar interior. Important: Do not soak the wood, only a light wipe is needed.
Step 2:
Prepare the Humidifier
If your humidor uses a refillable humidifier, fill it with distilled water or a manufacturer-approved solution. Some people use a lightly damp sponge instead.
Avoid tap water, as it can introduce minerals and bacteria that affect performance and cleanliness.
Step 3:
Let It Stabilize
Wait 3–5 days, checking humidity levels as they rise. If your humidor does not have a built in humidifier, add a humidity pack designed for long-term cigar storage.
Method 1:
How to Season with Humidity Packs (recommended)
This is the simplest and safest method, especially for beginners.
Step 1:
Place Seasoning Packs Inside
Use high-humidity packs (typically 84%) and place them inside your empty humidor.
Need humidity packs? Shop Boveda Packs
Step 2:
Close the Lid & Wait
Seal the humidor and leave it undisturbed. Allow the humidor to sit closed for 10–14 days. Avoid opening it during this time.
Step 3:
Check Humidity
After the waiting period, your hygrometer should read around 68–72% RH. Once stable, your humidor is ready for cigars. After seasoning, replace the high-humidity pack with a lower RH pack designed for long-term cigar storage.
Method 2:
Traditional Seasoning Method
This method requires more attention but works faster.
Step 1:
Lightly Wipe the Interior
Using a clean cloth and distilled water, gently wipe the Spanish cedar interior. Important: Do not soak the wood, only a light wipe is needed.
Step 2:
Prepare the Humidifier
If your humidor uses a refillable humidifier, fill it with distilled water or a manufacturer-approved solution. Some people use a lightly damp sponge instead.
Avoid tap water, as it can introduce minerals and bacteria that affect performance and cleanliness.
Step 3:
Let It Stabilize
Wait 3–5 days, checking humidity levels as they rise. If your humidor does not have a built in humidifier, add a humidity pack designed for long-term cigar storage.
Common Seasoning Mistakes to Avoid
Easy things that can ruin the setup:
Adding cigars too early
Opening the humidor too frequently during seasoning
Using tap water instead of distilled water
Over-wetting the wood interior
Mixing different humidity methods too soon
Taking your time during this step prevents long-term storage issues.
What to Do After Seasoning
Once your humidor is ready:
Switch to your long-term humidity setup (typically 69–72%)
Avoid overcrowding to maintain airflow
Add cigars gradually
Now your humidor is ready to properly store and preserve cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to season a humidor?
Anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on the method used.
Can I speed up the process?
Faster methods exist, but rushing increases the risk of damaging the humidor or creating unstable humidity.
Do I need to re-season my humidor?
Only if it dries out completely or hasn’t been used for an extended period.
What humidity level should I aim for?
68–72% relative humidity is the standard range for most cigars.
Next Steps
Now that your humidor is seasoned, it’s time to store your cigars the right way.
Learn how to maintain proper humidity and airflow
Keep your cigars fresh and ready to smoke
Avoid common storage mistakes
Common Seasoning Mistakes to Avoid
Easy things that can ruin the setup:
Adding cigars too early
Opening the humidor too
frequently during seasoning
Using tap water instead of
distilled water
Over-wetting the wood interior
Mixing different humidity
methods too soon
Taking your time during this step prevents long-term storage issues.
What to Do After Seasoning
Once your humidor is ready:
Switch to your long-term humidity setup (typically 69–72%)
Avoid overcrowding to maintain airflow
Add cigars gradually
Now your humidor is ready to properly store and preserve cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to season a humidor?
Anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on the method used.
Can I speed up the process?
Faster methods exist, but rushing increases the risk of damaging the humidor or creating unstable humidity.
Do I need to re-season my humidor?
Only if it dries out completely or hasn’t been used for an extended period.
What humidity level should I aim for?
68–72% relative humidity is the standard range for most cigars.
Next Steps
Now that your humidor is seasoned, it’s time to store your cigars the right way.
Learn how to maintain proper
humidity and airflow
Keep your cigars fresh and
ready to smoke
Avoid common storage mistakes