CCOM temp and humidity Q&A

pilot711

This is from the latest CCOM newsletter: Q & A: Humidor Temperature? Q: I just received a new humidor to store my cigars. What is the recommended temperature to keep my sticks in good shape? A: The standard rule, regarding temperature and humidity, is referred to as the ’70-70’ rule. For the most part, cigars prefer 70 percent humidity along with a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures each cigar has the moisture and heat needed to age properly. Since some cigars, like maduros for example, are fermented longer than others and utilize stronger, thicker leaves, a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit is also acceptable. Maduro wrappers do not need as much humidity or heat as Connecticut wrappers due to the amount of oils in the leaves. However, no humidor should be kept at a temperature lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. At a lower temperature, the aging process is drastically impaired and the cigars will begin to lose their unique flavors. If the temperature is kept above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the combination between heat and moisture may not only lead to the decomposition of the tobacco, but also to an infestation of tobacco beetles, which is never a pleasant experience. To remain on the safe side and to guarantee the cigars in your humidor are aging properly in addition to being kept in the best condition possible, keep the humidity in each humidor at 70 percent with a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

madurofan

Here's another case of "Hey they might be watching". I think most would agree with this for AGING. 70/70 is optimal for aging. Its the SMOKING that people vary at ... a lot of people like it lower bc it smokes better but I personally agree that less than 65 is scary.

kuzi16

in europe they have their humidors lower. ive heard as low as 55%

madurofan

This is what I've heard too but when I was in both England and Italy this not what I saw. The B&Ms I went into were set at 70/70 or there abouts. What I did get from the couple of smokers I spoke with is that generally they aren't as obsessive as we are about this, as long as its somewhere near 70 they're happy. They typically don't hold as many cigars as we do either. Like I said this is just a couple of people not a proper pole by any stretch but still.

kuzi16

madurofan

Good question. I wish someone would elaborate on that more than just "its best for aging".

dutyje

madurofan:

This is what I've heard too but when I was in both England and Italy this not what I saw. The B&Ms I went into were set at 70/70 or there abouts. What I did get from the couple of smokers I spoke with is that generally they aren't as obsessive as we are about this, as long as its somewhere near 70 they're happy. They typically don't hold as many cigars as we do either. Like I said this is just a couple of people not a proper pole by any stretch but still.

70/70 in England?? Dang, those are some hot cigars! What's that convert to in Fahrenheit?

kuzi16

madurofan:

Good question. I wish someone would elaborate on that more than just "its best for aging".

i wanna say that Capt did somewhere. im sure i could find it if i looked.... lemme look

kuzi16

madurofan:

Good question. I wish someone would elaborate on that more than just "its best for aging".

i wanna say that Capt did somewhere. im sure i could find it if i looked.... lemme look

kuzi16

this thread should help at least a little. it kind of explains why I keep it at 65% but nowhere does it explain why 70/70 is accepted as "the best"

madurofan

jaytothen

I think the reason 70/70 is the accepted norm is because at 70%RH, the natural oils in the tobacco start to release from the leaf. This allows the marriage of the different types of flavors from the different fillers over time. I've read on Oliva's website that when aging a cigar, proper RH should be as high as 79%! I'm not sure about storing cigars at that high, but in my aging humidor i keep at 69-71% but my everyday smokes I keep at 64-66%, mainly because I have a lot of maduro's and I don't feel like dry boxing for days b/c they are too wet.

kuzi16

madurofan

Thats cool I wanna know the science behind it.

madurofan

jaytothen:

I think the reason 70/70 is the accepted norm is because at 70%RH, the natural oils in the tobacco start to release from the leaf. This allows the marriage of the different types of flavors from the different fillers over time. I've read on Oliva's website that when aging a cigar, proper RH should be as high as 79%! I'm not sure about storing cigars at that high, but in my aging humidor i keep at 69-71% but my everyday smokes I keep at 64-66%, mainly because I have a lot of maduro's and I don't feel like dry boxing for days b/c they are too wet.

See there you go, jay thats the impression I'm getting a lot more is that more people store at misd 60's and age at 70 but idk.

dutyje

madurofan

I like it duty and there is probably more truth to this than anythign else.

urbino

My humi is at 66%. I like it. That's all I have to say about that.

madurofan

urbino:

My humi is at 66%. I like it. That's all I have to say about that.

Thats all that needs to be said.

urbino

pilot711

I store all mine at 70%. I travel with cigars a lot and find this works best. I might be on the road 3 to 6 days and they seem to do better out of the humi for that period with the higher rh. I still use a travel humi though.

j0z3r

madurofan

j0z3r:

I would bet dollars to donuts that most cigar makes would laugh at how obsessive and anal retentive a lot of cigar smokers are.

I agree. I have read and heard repeatedly that most cigars in cuba are stored in rooms that have water flowing through them, a stream or something, and thats it.

kuzi16

well theres the problem. I dont have a stream running through my second story bedroom.

j0z3r

kuzi16:

well theres the problem. I dont have a stream running through my second story bedroom.

Well why not dammit? This is the 21st century here kuzi, get with the times already.

urbino

Yeah, we thought you were serious about this hobby. Now I have to question everything I've ever learned from you. (Also, your 2nd-story bedroom is in Cuba, right?)

bocards

I have only been here at CCOM for a few weeks reading, and only smoking for a couple of months my question is this (I hope it has not been covered somewhere and I missed it).... What is the absolute high or low your humidor should reach for both temp and humidity ? Thanks, Bo

kuzi16

madurofan

kuzi16:

urbino:

Yeah, we thought you were serious about this hobby. Now I have to question everything I've ever learned from you. (Also, your 2nd-story bedroom is in Cuba, right?)

yes, that part ive got down. it feels kinda strange walking through the rift in the space time continuem. Every time i walk through my bedroom door my fingernails are 1/4 inch longer. but its worth it.

I think the harder part would be when they are a 1/4 inch shorter when you walk out of the bedroom, or am I misunderstanding the space time continuem.