Humidor Solution

For many years the high tech world of humidification was a simple sponge; and humidor solution consisted of plain old water. As cigar smoking progressed into a gentleman's hobby, new technology was invented to improve the experience. That cold and moldy cellar was replaced with a lovely wooden humidor. We learned that Spanish Cedar makes an ideal lining to maintain moisture in our tobacco and prevent mold and beetles. We also learned that a chemical common in food additives and and products such as shampoo can be beneficial for our cigars. Propylene glycol, or PG allows you to maintain that all important 70% humidity in your cigar box without having to resort constant monitoring. So how do you make use of this in your desktop humidor? Simple- just set it up right from the get go. To begin with you want to season you humidor.

You want to begin with distilled water. Moisten a paper towel, then wipe down your humidor on the inside thoroughly. Leave about a cup full of water in the humidor overnight. Why season you ask? Because if you don't then the cedar may pull the moisture out of your cigars, rather than the humidification element. Once you've season the humidor you can add the humidor solution (you may also hear it called 50/50 solution as well). Now it's time to load up your humidification sponge. You may hear it referred to as a Credo sponge- as the brand name has become synonymous with humidification elements. Soak the sponge thoroughly, then turn it upside down on a paper towel, so any excess humidor solution ends up on the towel, and not dripping directly on your cigars.

Propylene glycol will adsorb humidity in excess of 70%, and release humidity when the relative humidity of your humidor drops below that perfect level of 70%. It will also inhibit mold and bacterial growth- which makes it ideal as a humidor solution. You maintenance consists of remembering to keep the sponge moist with the solution. The distilled water assists in keeping mold at bay as well. As a side benefit, even if you don't use PG you should use distilled water in your humidor, as it will prevent the buildup of minerals in your sponge which may affect it's ability to humidify that humidor. The use of humidor solution makes caring for your cigar humidor about as pain free as it can be- and you can focus the best part of the hobby, smoking cigars!