Because of their natural oils, cigars can be difficult to store and maintain.If you don't have a humidor, you may find yourself with dry, brittle cigars that have lost their smoothness and complex flavors.It can be difficult to get a dry cigar back from the brink, but there are a few tricks you can use.
Step 1: To store cigars, find a humid environment.
The cigars should be stored in a place with abundant natural humidity.If you want to expose dried out cigars to constant, steady levels of humidity, cellars and greenhouses are ideal.You should only choose a place that is slightly warmer or cooler.Don't leave cigars in places with direct sunlight or heat sources.
Step 2: The cigars should be left inside the box with the lid open.
The cigars should be evenly distributed inside the cigar box if the lid is cracked open.Leaving the top of the box open will allow the moist air to get in and penetrate the tobacco inside the cigars.If the cigars aren't completely dried out, leaving the lid open will allow the box to be moist.Leave the lid off for cigars that have been desiccated.A warm, damp towel can be folded and placed beneath the cigar box to provide an extra boost of humidity.It is advisable to change the towel out frequently.
Step 3: Allow cigars to sit for a while.
The cigars should be left in the humid location for a couple weeks to a month.Make sure the cigars are not knocked over, wet or exposed to direct heat or cold.The simplest method of rehydrating dry cigars is this one.Slow rehydration works best as it takes time for the cigars to get rehydrated.It is difficult to keep a cigar lit because of overhydration, which can result in deadening the cigar's flavor, and even cause mold to grow on the tobacco.
Step 4: Take the cigars out of rotation every few days.
Stay up to date on the progress of the cigars.The entire outer edge of the cigar should receive the same amount of water so that they are hydrated evenly.
Step 5: Place the cigar box inside of a large bag.
Take a large bag and poke small holes in it to let the cigar box in.Put the cigar box inside the bag.A quart-sized bag is sufficient for most cigar boxes; anything bigger will likely need a gallon bag.The cigars may become over saturated if the holes are too large.The point of a knife or a paperclip is fine for poking small holes.
Step 6: Put a damp sponge inside the second bag.
Ring out the excess water with a sponge.The sponge should be placed at the bottom of the larger bag.The cigars can be revived from this artificial source of water.If possible, wet the sponge with bottled or distilled water.There are chemicals in tap water and sponges that can cause cigars to mold.When you rotation the cigars, you should re-wet the sponge every couple of days.
Step 7: The second bag should be sealed with cigars.
The second bag contains the sponge and the open cigar box.The moist sponge will slowly diffuse through the ventilated bag and into the dry cigars if the second bag is sealed.It will probably take a week or more.Don't let the cigars get wet.There is a problem with a wet cigar.
Step 8: The two bags should be left in an out of the way place.
To see if the cigars are absorbing water, take a look at the bags every couple of days to re-wet the sponge.Change the positions of the cigars inside the box if necessary.
Step 9: You can leave the box in the bathroom.
You can keep the cigar box in the bathroom where you take the shower.During the rehydration process, the cigars will become a fixture in your bathroom.You can keep the box of cigars out of sight.While the cigar boxes are being salvaged, they will look like eye-catching decorative pieces.
Step 10: You can open the box while you shower.
Before showering, take the cigars box out and open it.You can put the box on the sink or toilet seat near the shower.When you are done showering, close the lid of the box and return it to where it is being stored.The humidity from the shower will get trapped inside the box and start leaking into the cigars.Don't let the cigars get wet.The hotter the shower, the higher the concentration of steam in the water.
Step 11: The cigars should be turned intermittently.
You should rotation the cigars every other day when you bring the cigar box out.Take into account the appearance and feel of the cigars.They should be shuffled around in the box every 3-4 days to make sure no one gets more or less water than others.Most cigars will feel supple and sticky to the touch, and may be a bit dark in color.
Step 12: Don't overhydrate the cigars.
It is important not to allow them to stay in the humid bathroom environment for a long time, as an overhydrated cigar is an equally difficult and time-Consuming fix.To see how the cigars are coming along, inspect them regularly.You can leave the cigars open in a damp cellar if you store them near your shower.You should keep an eye on the cigars and their rehydration environment to make sure they don't change suddenly.Once cigars are rehydrated, they should be smoked immediately.