Do humidors improve with age?

[veteranvmb]

Hello to all:
Just wondering. Do humidors improve with age or because they are wood, are best when they are first seasoned.
Physically, all I can see is that wood and the seals will eventually go out of shape and not keep rh as effective.
Conversely, does the wood over time absord all the oils, and scents of the cigars and sort of become like an old friend to the cigars?
Or do the pores of the wood eventually sort of seal or clog up and become less effective, and maybee need a new sanding to freshen up and open up the pores of the cedar.?
Never heard anything about this issue, so I am listening.
Muchr regards Jerry

[guy g]

In my opinion, yes. It took my humi probably 6months before it would hold a decent RH . Now it is really a pleasure to be around.

[Yoda!]

Everything improves with age, except me, I just got old.

[dj1340]

I believe they do get better with age. I've had a Thompsons (before I learned) for 6 years and it has always been spot on for humidity and smells great when I open it. I think they season in well with age. I better add this is just my humble opinion of course.

[ca21455]

I agree, the desktop ones start to take on a charactor of thier own after about 6 months. I have not seen much change in my cabinet which I have had for a couple of years. I guess that is because of the larger volume and I store a lot of smokes in boxes.

[eyesack]

Funny, I was wondering the same thing when I was reorganizing mine tonight!. Yes, mine (as well as my heartfelt beads) have most certainly taken on an aroma all of their own. I suppose if you think that the wood's pores ever become 'clogged' you could sand the lining with some 1.5k grit or 2k grit paper if you have it. In theory at least.

[danmcmartin]

Not sure, but mine has been filled for about a month and it still sucks my beads dry about once a week. That process is slowing a little so I think it could be settling in. Either that or it is the dry air here or the glass ins't sealed well. I guess we will find out as it gets older.

Or it could just be me opening it all the time to admire my cigars

[Pugsley]

Interesting question, I wonder if anyone has a definitive answer. Personally, I think everything gets better with age ...... except maybe ground beef.

[eyesack]

Mmmm. Nice "Marbled" look...!

[smelvis]

I think they do? I built my first one about 54" high X 48" wide X 15" deep. I used Spanish cedar and lined the whole interior, not realizing I didn't need that much.

I used 3/4 " maple plywood as a core and refurbished oak trim with a regular cedar siding all sanded and finished in a satin sheen.

I have two upright glass doors and automatic led lights to show it off when friends come over. I didn't do a great job on the door sealing just right and this mistake turned out to be a good thing because completely airtight is not good, so I have air circulation and am using an automatic moist air for humidity.

I have others but this one was my first real one and it holds humidity so well. I am in the process of building a similar one for a friend.

So I guess the answer is if it is a good one it will only stay the same or get better if we take car of them as we should.

[DaReallyPoGigolo]

I'm building myself a humidor right now, 16 x 11 x 6, and I'm hoping it won't take too long to break in, but even if it does, it should all pay off in what I know understand to be about six months.

[Drkold]

I think my humidor has gotten better over time, I also do agree that the oils and do begin to clogs the wood pores but I think that is a good thing for imparting natural cigar flavors in addition to the cedar spice flavor.

[Herf N Turf]

This is a great question, Jerry, but like many answers, "it depends". While there are a lot of "vintage" humidors, which still hold a great seal, modern woods are far less stabile. 99% of woods now are kiln dried. The world no longer takes the time to air dry woods, since it takes years to do. The humidor you bought this week, could easily have been a tree last month. Just go to a lumber store and try to find five straight studs. Cant do it. What this means is, modern woods are likely to keep moving for a long time. This may, or may not be a bad thing. If the humidor is well made and uses thicker sections of cedar, it's less likely to move to the point where your seal will be disturbed.

This is one of the biggest reasons I advocate not wiping down a new humi and only allow it to season passively.

As far as aromas, yes, the wood will definitely absorb oils from the tobaccos and release them back into other sticks, which again, may or may not be a good thing. I therefore like to keep my sticks segregated by strength and wrapper type. Maduros go together with the occasional oscuro. Lighter wrappers go together. Stronger sticks like Camachos and LGC maduros also lay together. Lighter, milder sticks like Don Carlos, La Aroma, etc, get along well too.

[bdw1984]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

This is a great question, Jerry, but like many answers, "it depends". While there are a lot of "vintage" humidors, which still hold a great seal, modern woods are far less stabile. 99% of woods now are kiln dried. The world no longer takes the time to air dry woods, since it takes years to do. The humidor you bought this week, could easily have been a tree last month. Just go to a lumber store and try to find five straight studs. Cant do it. What this means is, modern woods are likely to keep moving for a long time. This may, or may not be a bad thing. If the humidor is well made and uses thicker sections of cedar, it's less likely to move to the point where your seal will be disturbed.

This is one of the biggest reasons I advocate not wiping down a new humi and only allow it to season passively.

As far as aromas, yes, the wood will definitely absorb oils from the tobaccos and release them back into other sticks, which again, may or may not be a good thing. I therefore like to keep my sticks segregated by strength and wrapper type. Maduros go together with the occasional oscuro. Lighter wrappers go together. Stronger sticks like Camachos and LGC maduros also lay together. Lighter, milder sticks like Don Carlos, La Aroma, etc, get along well too.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Herf N Turf again." you are a wealth of humi info and this site wouldn't be the same without u!
ben

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by bdw1984

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Herf N Turf again." you are a wealth of humi info and this site wouldn't be the same without u!
ben

Why thanks, Ben. Points or no points, that feels warm and fuzzy