So you just scored yourself a brand-new desktop humidor? Congrats — you’ve joined the club of people who care enough about cigars not to let them dry out like beef jerky. But here’s the thing: if you skip seasoning it, your expensive sticks will age about as well as milk in a sauna. We’re not doing that.
We’re going to season this baby right, so it holds humidity like a champ and keeps your cigars in prime smoking condition. No guessing. No myths. Just the real deal, Jeff-style.
TL;DR: Wipe, wait, and watch your humidity. Prep your humidor before loading cigars, or you’ll regret it in the first puff.
Why Seasoning a Desktop Humidor Actually Matters
A desktop humidor isn’t just a box — it’s a mini climate-controlled home for your cigars. The Spanish cedar lining is like a sponge; it needs to absorb moisture first, so it doesn’t steal it from your cigars later. Skip this step, and your precious smokes will dry out faster than a bad joke at a funeral.
Step-by-Step: How to Season Your Humidor Like a Pro
1. Gather Your Gear
You’ll need:
Distilled water (don’t get fancy — just avoid tap water)
A clean sponge or lint-free cloth
A digital hygrometer (ditch the analog toy it came with)
Your humidor’s humidification device or Boveda seasoning packs
2. Wipe Down the Cedar
Lightly dampen your sponge with distilled water — not dripping wet, just enough to make the cedar feel cool. Wipe the interior surfaces: walls, bottom, and underside of the lid. Don’t soak it like a Thanksgiving turkey brine; we’re going for “kiss of moisture,” not “mini swamp.”
3. Load the Humidification Device
Charge your humidifier with distilled water (or propylene glycol mix if that’s your jam). Or better yet, use a seasoning-specific Boveda pack. Pop it inside the humidor, close the lid, and resist the urge to peek every five minutes.
4. Wait It Out
Seasoning takes time — usually 72 hours to a full week. Check your hygrometer: you’re aiming for around 70% humidity. If it’s climbing steadily, you’re on the right track.
5. Load Your Cigars
Once the humidity stabilizes at 65–70%, it’s go-time. Load in your cigars, arrange them like the proud curator you are, and enjoy the peace of knowing you did it right.
Common Screw-Ups to Avoid
Using tap water: Minerals + mold = sad cigars.
Skipping the wipe-down: Cedar will suck your cigars dry.
Rushing it: Patience here means better flavor later.
If you’re not sure how many sticks your humidor can handle, check out our Cigar Size Chart before overstuffing it. And if you’re stocking up, our Cigar Samplers are a no-brainer way to fill it up fast.
FAQ
How often do I need to season my humidor?
Once when it’s new, then maybe once a year if it’s been sitting empty or your humidity keeps dropping.
Can I put cigars in during seasoning?
Nope. Unless you like dry cigars, wait until humidity is stable before loading.
Is propylene glycol necessary?
Not for seasoning — it’s more for maintaining stable humidity afterward.
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How to Season Your Desktop Humidor (Without Screwing It Up)
So you just scored yourself a brand-new desktop humidor? Congrats — you’ve joined the club of people who care enough about cigars not to let them dry out like beef jerky. But here’s the thing: if you skip seasoning it, your expensive sticks will age about as well as milk in a sauna. We’re not doing that.
We’re going to season this baby right, so it holds humidity like a champ and keeps your cigars in prime smoking condition. No guessing. No myths. Just the real deal, Jeff-style.
TL;DR: Wipe, wait, and watch your humidity. Prep your humidor before loading cigars, or you’ll regret it in the first puff.
Why Seasoning a Desktop Humidor Actually Matters
A desktop humidor isn’t just a box — it’s a mini climate-controlled home for your cigars. The Spanish cedar lining is like a sponge; it needs to absorb moisture first, so it doesn’t steal it from your cigars later. Skip this step, and your precious smokes will dry out faster than a bad joke at a funeral.
Step-by-Step: How to Season Your Humidor Like a Pro
1. Gather Your Gear
- Distilled water
- A clean sponge or lint-free cloth
- A digital hygrometer
- Your humidor’s humidification device or Boveda seasoning packs
2. Wipe Down the Cedar
Lightly dampen your sponge with distilled water — not dripping wet, just enough to make the cedar feel cool. Wipe the interior surfaces: walls, bottom, and underside of the lid. Don’t soak it like a Thanksgiving turkey brine; we’re going for “kiss of moisture,” not “mini swamp.”
3. Load the Humidification Device
Charge your humidifier with distilled water (or propylene glycol mix if that’s your jam). Or better yet, use a seasoning-specific Boveda pack. Pop it inside the humidor, close the lid, and resist the urge to peek every five minutes.
4. Wait It Out
Seasoning takes time — usually 72 hours to a full week. Check your hygrometer: you’re aiming for around 70% humidity. If it’s climbing steadily, you’re on the right track.
5. Load Your Cigars
Once the humidity stabilizes at 65–70%, it’s go-time. Load in your cigars, arrange them like the proud curator you are, and enjoy the peace of knowing you did it right.
Common Screw-Ups to Avoid
- Using tap water: Minerals + mold = sad cigars.
- Skipping the wipe-down: Cedar will suck your cigars dry.
- Rushing it: Patience here means better flavor later.
If you’re not sure how many sticks your humidor can handle, check out our Cigar Size Chart before overstuffing it. And if you’re stocking up, our Cigar Samplers are a no-brainer way to fill it up fast.
FAQ
How often do I need to season my humidor?
Once when it’s new, then maybe once a year if it’s been sitting empty or your humidity keeps dropping.
Can I put cigars in during seasoning?
Nope. Unless you like dry cigars, wait until humidity is stable before loading.
Is propylene glycol necessary?
Not for seasoning — it’s more for maintaining stable humidity afterward.