How to Store Cigars in Summer Without Losing Flavour or Freshness

In Eau Claire, summertime offers sunshine, outdoor activities and frequently the ideal setting for sipping a good cigar on a balmy evening. However, your priceless cigar collection may be quietly suffering while we enjoy the heat and humidity. 

High temperatures and varying moisture content can cause irreversible damage or worse, make your beloved smokes a bitter disappointment. The goal of knowing how to store cigars properly in the summer is to maintain flavour and enjoyment.

Let's explore how to preserve your cigars' quality and protect them from the summer weather.

Why Summer Changes Everything for Your Cigars?

Assuming their setup will last all year, many cigar enthusiasts take great care of their humidors during the cooler months. They do not realise though that summer poses special difficulties that can majorly change a humidor internal environment. Your cigars are near to problems like excessive moisture, drying out or even damaging pests if you don't follow certain summertime cigar care tips.

Summer Nightmares: Common Cigar Catastrophes

·       When your cigars lose too much moisture, they become brittle, crack easily, burn hot and their complex flavors turn harsh and one-dimensional. This is a common consequence of under-humidified cigars during dry summer spells.

·       Conversely, too much humidity (especially above 75% RH) combined with warmth creates the perfect breeding ground for cigar mold. This fuzzy, often bluish-green growth ruins cigars and can spread rapidly through your entire collection.

·       Perhaps the most terrifying threat. Cigar beetles are microscopic eggs naturally present in tobacco. Temperatures consistently above 73°F (or 77°F) with high humidity can cause these larvae to hatch, boring tiny pinholes through your cigars.

·       Even without visible damage, improper temperature and cigar humidity can degrade the delicate oils and aromatics in your cigars, leading to a dull, muted and unsatisfying smoking experience.

The Pillars of Proper Storage

The good news is that, with the correct strategy, it is completely possible to avoid these summer nightmares. At Smoke Claire, the reputable cigar store that Eau Claire depends on, we place a strong emphasis on taking preventative measures to store cigars properly during the summer. Keeping your smoking environment steady and perfect is the answer.

The Essential Strategies for Summer Cigar Care

1. Temperature Control

·       Your cigars thrive in temperatures between 65-70°F (18-21°C). Critically, keeping the temperature below 73°F (or 75°F) is paramount to prevent cigar beetle hatching.

·       Never place your cigar humidor in direct sunlight, near windows or close to heating/cooling vents. Find the coolest, most stable spot in your home.
 

·       Air Circulation: Ensure your humidor isn't overpacked. Leave about 20-25% space for air to circulate, which helps maintain even temperature and humidity.

2. Humidity Management

·       Maintain a relative humidity (RH) between 65-72%. While the classic "70/70 rule" is a good starting point, many connoisseurs find that slightly lower RH (65-69%) works better in hotter, helping prevent mold and ensuring a better burn.

·       A digital hygrometer is an absolute must. Unlike less accurate analogy versions, a calibrated digital hygrometer provides precise readings of your humidor's internal RH and temperature, allowing you to make informed adjustments.

·       Rotate your cigars weekly or bi-weekly. This ensures all cigars receive even humidity and allows you to inspect them for any early signs of cigar mold or cigar beetles.

3. Humidor Maintenance

·       Keep your humidor clean. Wipe it down periodically with distilled water.

·       Re-seasoning your humidor (using an 84% Boveda seasoning pack or distilled water with a sponge for a few weeks without cigars) can help the wood absorb moisture and stabilise if you have a new wooden humidor or notice your cigars are drying out quickly.

Visit Smoke Claire for Summer Cigar Solutions

Keep your priceless cigar collection safe from the Eau Claire summer. From a large assortment of high-quality cigar humidors to accurate digital hygrometers, Smoke Claire has everything you need for summertime cigar storage.

Our knowledgeable staff is always available to offer tailored guidance and point you in the direction of the best cigar care products.

Protect your passion this summer!