If you’ve ever seen a cigar box that’s specially designed to keep cigars fresh, you’ve seen a humidor! Humidors are like homes for cigars, keeping them at the right temperature and humidity to make sure they don’t dry out. But how exactly are humidors made? Let’s find out!
Starting with the Wood: Choosing the Right Kind
Humidors start with picking the right type of wood. Wood is very important because it helps keep the air inside humid. The most popular type of wood for humidors is Spanish cedar. This wood is special because it keeps water really well and has a strong smell that helps protect the cigars from tiny bugs that might want to eat the tobacco. Some humidors are also made with mahogany or maple wood, which also work well but don’t have the same smell as Spanish cedar.
Once the wood is chosen, it gets cut into panels. These panels are usually very smooth and straight because they need to fit together perfectly. The wood pieces are sanded, or smoothed out, so they can hold moisture but don’t have any rough patches.
Building the Humidor Box
The next step is to build the humidor box itself. This is when the wood pieces are glued together to create a strong, tight box. Most humidors are box-shaped, but some are built as cabinets or even small rooms. Each side of the box has to fit perfectly with the others so that when the lid is closed, no air can get in or out. This keeps the humidity level inside just right.
The box also needs strong hinges. These are the metal pieces that let the lid open and close. Good hinges will keep the lid tightly shut. Some fancy humidors even have locks on the lid, so only the owner can open them.
Adding the Humidifier and Hygrometer
Humidors have a device called a humidifier that makes sure the air inside stays moist. Think of it like a mini water bottle inside the humidor that keeps it just humid enough. The humidifier is often filled with distilled water or a special liquid. The distilled water doesn’t have any minerals or other things that regular water has, so it won’t mess up the cigars.
Next, they add a small tool called a hygrometer inside the humidor. This tool tells you the humidity level inside the box. If the humidity goes too low, cigars can dry out and become too crumbly. But if it’s too high, the cigars can get moldy. The perfect humidity level for cigars is usually between 65% and 75%.
Putting on the Finishing Touches
Now the humidor box is almost ready, but it still needs a nice finish! This is where workers add stain or polish to make the wood look extra beautiful and shiny. Stain changes the color of the wood and makes it look darker or richer. After the stain is added, they usually put on a layer of varnish. Varnish is a clear coat that protects the wood from scratches and keeps it looking new for longer.
Testing the Humidor
Before the humidor is ready to go to the store, it has to be tested to make sure it can really keep cigars fresh. The company will often put a small hygrometer inside and check to make sure the humidity stays in the right range. This can take a couple of days because they want to make sure it’s working well before someone buys it.
Why Humidors Are Important
Cigars are made of tobacco leaves, which are very sensitive to humidity and temperature. If cigars are kept in a place that’s too dry, they will dry out, become brittle, and won’t taste as good. If they’re kept somewhere too moist, they can grow mold or get too soft. A humidor keeps cigars in a perfect environment so they stay fresh for a long time and taste the best when someone is ready to enjoy them.
Fun Facts About Humidors!
- Big Humidors: Some cigar stores have huge humidors called “walk-in humidors.” These are large rooms where the air is kept at the right humidity to store thousands of cigars!
- Personalized Designs: Some people get humidors custom-made with their initials or even their favorite sports team!
- Travel Humidors: For people who like to carry cigars with them, there are small, portable humidors. These are usually waterproof and made of tough materials like plastic.
And that’s how a humidor is made! From choosing the right wood to adding the humidifier and testing it out, making a humidor is all about creating the perfect environment for cigars. Next time you see one, you’ll know just what goes into making sure it keeps cigars fresh and tasty!
