Storing Cigars in Arizona

M93 · January 20

Hello all,

I’m new here, and new to cigars. Had a few when I was younger and just recently started smoking cigars last month. I purchased a few from a store to celebrate a major milestone in my life and after a few online orders I now own over nice sticks.

My first online order was from Famous, my second from Thompson, and most recently Cigar Page.

I’ve been storing them in Rubbermaid brilliance containers, and I’ve also purchased a few Sistema containers from Amazon. I also purchased a few traditional wooden humidors that I am currently setting up.

My question: how do I store my cigars living in Arizona, in this desert, dry and hot climate? I’ve done extensive research on how to store cigars and I’ve quickly learned that I appreciate cigars store at lower RH levels of 65-68.

I would ideally like to keep my humidors/ tupperdores in a closet however it can be difficult to keep my temp in my home at that ideal 70 range. Even right now in these cooler months I’m usually at about 72-74 degrees, and in the summer it’s common for my home to be anywhere from 73-76/77. It’s expensive cooling my home in the summer time.
I’d like to know from the experience of others how to store cigars to avoid cigar beetles, etc.

I use boveda 65% packs in my plastic tupperdores, and will be using boveda 69% in my wooden humidors.
A lot of the cigars I purchased are high quality and all handmade premium sticks. Mainly Oliva, Cohiba, My Father, a few R y J’s, and I’ve been leaning towards Maduro type sticks.

Understanding the importance of stable humidity I am committed to keeping the RH stable and somewhere between 65-70, however the temperature is more of a concern, or should it be?

Would I be better off freezing my sticks to potentially avoid any cigar beetle outbreaks? I’ve been resting my cigars for a few weeks- a month now, because I’ve placed multiple separate orders.

I would greatly appreciate any help from as many people who live in similar climates and I would like to be assured that I am not being overly worried about my precious sticks so I can sleep better at night. I’ve definitely lost sleep over my concerns because I do appreciate a nice cigar store properly and I’ve experienced it when they’re not in optimal condition.

Thank you

M

Itsfine · January 20

Welcome brother! You're on the right track. There's a few desert guys on this forum. I live in Vegas. @dirtdude lives in Arizona. There are a few others also. We all understand.

Rubbermaid brilliance containers or other plastic with boveda is the place to go.

The temperature is another challenge all together for you. You're also still on the right track. I would just keep them in the coolest place in my house. If you're using this system, then the RH inside of your box is going to be in the '60s somewhere. In my experience, you don't get a lot of mold or beetles unless your cigars are both warm and moist, like 75/75.

Temperatures in the mid 70s never hurt anything that I've ever seen. If you're going to go long stretches with temperatures in the 80s, might be a different story.

My old lady keeps my house at igloo temperatures, and I don't get much of a vote, so temperature is not an issue for me.

ShawnOL · January 20

Hello @m93. You seem to have a pretty good handle on things. Two things: dump the wooden humidor (unless you like to worry) and use boveda 60g packs. Problems solved. Dont worry about beetles at your temps. Freeze your sticks if you want to, but not really necessary. The big names often freeze them before shipping.

Rdp77 · January 20

I have to agree with both of these guys. Beetles in new world cigars is pretty rare. Nearly every manufacturer freezes cigars before shipping. Just check your new sticks before putting them with the rest of them. As far as mold goes, leave the cello on any cigars that come with it. Most mold spores will come from the air or your hands. The cello helps protect from it.

Sealed containers like Rubbermaid brilliance are great to use. If the temp where you store them stays stable you don’t really have anything to worry about. It’s big fluctuations that can cause problems with the way your cigars smoke. Coolers are also good for long term storage because they slow any fluctuations that can take place.

Main thing is, this is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby. Get it set…trust your system…and don’t fret over it.

silvermouse · January 20

Keep an eye on cigars wrapped in a cedar veneer or remove it. For some reason they are more likely to develop mold.

dirtdude · January 20

It sounds like you about have it figured, I don't know anything about insulating capabilities of Rubbermaid brilliance, I use a heavy 55 qt cooler with a few of the big boveda 65 and I am set. If you can get by with a 20 qt great. I throw cigars, wooden humidors, pipe tobacco, weed, whatever in there and never have to worry. If you have guest just drag the wooden humi out and throw it on the table, it will be fine til morning then back in the cooler

Itsfine · January 20

One quick aside. Don't think that because you live in the desert you can't have wood boxes. You can. And they can be just as easy as long as you have active humidification. Doesn't need to be two-way because you'll lose enough that you'll never need to absorb.

M93 · January 22

Thank you all for responses. I greatly appreciate all the support and advice. I couldn’t find a way to reply to responses individually, so I’m making this one reply LOL. I’m going to stick with the tubberdors for the time being, and I’m going to keep an eye on the wooden humidors I purchased because I like them and if they hold RH steady, I’ll give it a shot and see how it goes. The weather is much nicer right now so I might have to wait another month or two to really see how the summer is with a wooden humidor. I also purchased a modern acrylic humidor that has a Spanish cedar tray in it so it’s kind of like a tubberdor but it looks like a modern humidor. It’s the Felix and Felix pro from case elegance. Gonna give it a shot when it gets in.

Rdp77 · January 22

@Itsfine said:
One quick aside. Don't think that because you live in the desert you can't have wood boxes. You can. And they can be just as easy as long as you have active humidification. Doesn't need to be two-way because you'll lose enough that you'll never need to absorb.

You got too much dead space in there Frank 🤣
@M93 it the “quote” tab at the bottom of comments.

Itsfine · January 23

@Rdp77 said:

@Itsfine said:
One quick aside. Don't think that because you live in the desert you can't have wood boxes. You can. And they can be just as easy as long as you have active humidification. Doesn't need to be two-way because you'll lose enough that you'll never need to absorb.

You got too much dead space in there Frank 🤣
@M93 it the “quote” tab at the bottom of comments.

Nah. I have the right amount of space in each one buddy.

M93 · January 27

Okay great thank you, now I’ll know how to reply to individual replies

Has anyone had or known anyone that has experience with storing cigars in clear acrylic humidors? I purchased a few which are really nice and have some questions and maybe concerns.

M93 · January 27

I will also be using my desktop 100 count wood humidors and I’ll updated with how they hold. I’m still using my Rubbermaid brilliance container, and Sistema tupperdors. I purchased a few clear acrylic humidors which are really nice but they have a smell to them, don’t know if it’s the acrylic itself or the glue that was used to assemble them. All the acrylic humidors I purchased have very nice Spanish cedar trays in them which are nice. I have yet to test the seal on them and will be doing so this week.

Rdp77 · January 27

@M93 said:
I will also be using my desktop 100 count wood humidors and I’ll updated with how they hold. I’m still using my Rubbermaid brilliance container, and Sistema tupperdors. I purchased a few clear acrylic humidors which are really nice but they have a smell to them, don’t know if it’s the acrylic itself or the glue that was used to assemble them. All the acrylic humidors I purchased have very nice Spanish cedar trays in them which are nice. I have yet to test the seal on them and will be doing so this week.

Serious question. Why go from Rubbermaid brilliance to acrylic humidors?

Itsfine · January 27

Probably for the aesthetic? ↑

If they have a chemical smell to them, air them out for a few days. If that doesn't work, wash them out with soap and water. If that still doesn't do it, crinkle up some newspaper into some loose balls (settle down @memento_mori) and stick them in there with the lid closed for a few days. If that doesn't work, put a little ramekin of baking soda in there for a few days.

If that doesn't work, store your lighters and cutters in there.

Yakster · January 27

Frank pretty much covered it, you can have the same sort of issues with coolers and wine fridges. Sometimes vinegar can help, but it leaves it's own scent.

I find a cotton ball with some vanilla added and placed on something inside the container can help cover stubborn smells.

M93 · January 29

These are the two acrylic humidors I purchased that have a smell to them. The acrylic itself does not smell but maybe it’s the glue that was used to construct them they are very nice and I figured it would look nicer than a tupperdor, and living in Arizona it would eliminate problems with traditional wooden humidors.

M93 · January 29

This is the second acrylic humidor I purchased: more basic with only one Spanish cedar wooden tray.

M93 · January 29

I also purchased a case elegance black military humidor with an additional top tray to have two top trays total:

M93 · January 29

And I purchased two of these Quality Importers Milano II black humidors:

M93 · January 29

I would really like to used the Acrylic humidors I purchased versus my tupperdors if I can remove the smell from them. I will try those tips. I thought to use baking soda in them, would I leave it in there in a dish or try to rub it in/ clean it with the BS? Both the acrylic humidors I purchased have removable Spanish cedar trays so I can completely clean the inside/outside of the acrylic box itself. I have a 30 day return window on these acrylic humidors…

M93 · January 29

The (2) Milano wooden humidors I have are very nice i seasoned one of them but have not placed anything inside yet I’ve just been watching it to see if the RH will remain stable.

silvermouse · January 29

After airing them out and washing them do they still smell? They are mini greenhouses so keep them away from bright light, especially if the room is sunny or illuminated with fluorescent lights.
https://biologyinsights.com/does-fluorescent-light-emit-uv-radiation/

Itsfine · January 29

@M93 said:
I would really like to used the Acrylic humidors I purchased versus my tupperdors if I can remove the smell from them. I will try those tips. I thought to use baking soda in them, would I leave it in there in a dish or try to rub it in/ clean it with the BS? Both the acrylic humidors I purchased have removable Spanish cedar trays so I can completely clean the inside/outside of the acrylic box itself. I have a 30 day return window on these acrylic humidors…

Yeah don't rub it in. Could scratch the acrylic or make it hazy. Just dry baking soda and the dish will do. From what I've heard, the newspaper trick works the best.

And it seems that someone has CAS. Not cigar acquisition syndrome, but container acquisition syndrome! 😂

Itsfine · January 29

@M93 said:
The (2) Milano wooden humidors I have are very nice i seasoned one of them but have not placed anything inside yet I’ve just been watching it to see if the RH will remain stable.

If you bought the brand new they'll probably be pretty good. They will probably lose a lot of humidity for a gradual amount of time, so you'll have to keep them hydrated. I have many desktops here that I have used successfully in Vegas. You just have to pay attention to them.

ShawnOL · January 29

Those analog hygrometers are useless. They're just for looks. The built in digital ones that came with those humidor are almost as inaccurate. I say that because often times the hole they're in blocks the holes in the hygrometers that they sense humidity through. If you want an accurate hygrometer, buy a zederkoff hygrometer. $43 on Amazon, can be found for $30 on sale elsewhere.

ShawnOL · January 30

Also, throw away the sponge humidifier things that come with the humidor. Prone to mold. Stick with boveda.

M93 · January 31

@silvermouse said:
After airing them out and washing them do they still smell? They are mini greenhouses so keep them away from bright light, especially if the room is sunny or illuminated with fluorescent lights.
https://biologyinsights.com/does-fluorescent-light-emit-uv-radiation/

I have not washed them out yet, because I did not want to scratch them or ruin them, however I will be washing them with a non scented dish soap after my current experiment. Right now I have three large activated charcoal packs in the acrylic humidors, they’ve only been in there for 24 hours however opening them the odor is completely gone, the true test is when I remove them if the odor remains gone or not. I will also try baking soda as well, and i will probably wash them with the non scented dish soap prior to placing a dish of baking soda in them.

I haven’t even tested the seal yet of these acrylic humidors because I don’t want to put my boveda packs inside and have them absorb a plastic/ glue smell.

I will update with my results after trying these methods. If I could get my hands on some newspapers I totally would try that method as well. I’d only wanna stick brand new news papers in there

M93 · January 31

@Itsfine said:

@M93 said:
I would really like to used the Acrylic humidors I purchased versus my tupperdors if I can remove the smell from them. I will try those tips. I thought to use baking soda in them, would I leave it in there in a dish or try to rub it in/ clean it with the BS? Both the acrylic humidors I purchased have removable Spanish cedar trays so I can completely clean the inside/outside of the acrylic box itself. I have a 30 day return window on these acrylic humidors…

Yeah don't rub it in. Could scratch the acrylic or make it hazy. Just dry baking soda and the dish will do. From what I've heard, the newspaper trick works the best.

And it seems that someone has CAS. Not cigar acquisition syndrome, but container acquisition syndrome! 😂

Haha yes I have both of the CAS right now..

I’m going to try using baking soda after my activated charcoal packets. I’ve had three large activated charcoal packets in each acrylic humidor for 24 hours and want to try to keep them in there for 3 days or so before I remove them and see the results.

Have any ideas where I can get some brand new news papers? I live in a rural area and most of my shopping in online with shipping. Carriers probably hate me.

M93 · January 31

@Itsfine said:

@M93 said:
The (2) Milano wooden humidors I have are very nice i seasoned one of them but have not placed anything inside yet I’ve just been watching it to see if the RH will remain stable.

If you bought the brand new they'll probably be pretty good. They will probably lose a lot of humidity for a gradual amount of time, so you'll have to keep them hydrated. I have many desktops here that I have used successfully in Vegas. You just have to pay attention to them.

Yes I have purchased all my humidors brand new. I have so many now and I just bought three more today so I have more on the way because they were on sale so I’ve just been collecting humidors. Good news is I won’t ever need another humidor, I’m set for life. I’ve also probably got a cigar collection that could last me or the next decade.

M93 · January 31

@Itsfine said:

@M93 said:
The (2) Milano wooden humidors I have are very nice i seasoned one of them but have not placed anything inside yet I’ve just been watching it to see if the RH will remain stable.

If you bought the brand new they'll probably be pretty good. They will probably lose a lot of humidity for a gradual amount of time, so you'll have to keep them hydrated. I have many desktops here that I have used successfully in Vegas. You just have to pay attention to them.

I did also purchase some of the humi care black ice pies that break into 4 corner wedges to use in my wooden humidors because I think the boveda packs might get drained too quickly. I recharge my boveda packs and they last forever in my tupperdors, I’ve actually never had to replace one I’ve only swapped them out to get a higher/ lower RH.

M93 · January 31

@ShawnOL said:
Those analog hygrometers are useless. They're just for looks. The built in digital ones that came with those humidor are almost as inaccurate. I say that because often times the hole they're in blocks the holes in the hygrometers that they sense humidity through. If you want an accurate hygrometer, buy a zederkoff hygrometer. $43 on Amazon, can be found for $30 on sale elsewhere.

Yes thank you. I am going to be using my ThermoPro Bluetooth hygrometers and also my Govee wifi hygrometer along with some smaller hygrometers to have at least 3 hygrometers in each humidor, and I’ll be able to monitor them remotely from anywhere.

Storing Cigars in Arizona

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