For chemists: Why do glass humidors use clear glass?

[Aaron]

Good wine and good beer is NEVER sold in clear glass bottles. The dark glass helps to prevent oxidation and a beer becoming skunky or wine becoming vinegar.

Wouldn't it make sense for a humidor to have some kind of glass that would inhibit light decay?

Or is light not that much of a factor?

I just think that if the wood floors of my house where the rug ISN'T gets bleached due to sunlignt, wouldn't cigars also benefit from minimal light?

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Well, I'm no chemist, though I have taken my share of chemistry classes. But, I never miss an opportunity to express my humble opinion.

First of all, not all glass humidors use clear glass, some use opaque glass, frosted glass or etched glass. I have also seen tinted glass used for humidors.

However, your question is really two questions in one: the first is, "Is direct sunlight bad for cigars?" I think the answer is yes, not only would the ultraviolet rays produce some unwanted changes but direct sunlight would change the temperature of the humidor, it would proabably create wide variations of temperature, which would be bad.

Your second question is implied: "Is indirect light or artificial light bad for cigars?" This is probably a continuum type question. That is, the closer the cigars are to the light source, and the more direct the light source is, the worse for the smokes. The further away and less direct the source, the better. However, artificial light probably doesn't have the same levels of ultraviolet rays, which I think would make it less harmful than exposure to sunlight.

As a general rule of thumb, ALL humidors, with or without glass, should be kept out of direct sunlight. Best place would be a part of your home or office that has a relatively stable temperature and where the light will not be intense and direct.

The Doc

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by Dr. Stogie Fresh

Well, I'm no chemist, though I have taken my share of chemistry classes. But, I never miss an opportunity to express my humble opinion.

First of all, not all glass humidors use clear glass, some use opaque glass, frosted glass or etched glass. I have also seen tinted glass used for humidors.

However, your question is really two questions in one: the first is, "Is direct sunlight bad for cigars?" I think the answer is yes, not only would the ultraviolet rays produce some unwanted changes but direct sunlight would change the temperature of the humidor, it would proabably create wide variations of temperature, which would be bad.

Your second question is implied: "Is indirect light or artificial light bad for cigars?" This is probably a continuum type question. That is, the closer the cigars are to the light source, and the more direct the light source is, the worse for the smokes. The further away and less direct the source, the better. However, artificial light probably doesn't have the same levels of ultraviolet rays, which I think would make it less harmful than exposure to sunlight.

As a general rule of thumb, ALL humidors, with or without glass, should be kept out of direct sunlight. Best place would be a part of your home or office that has a relatively stable temperature and where the light will not be intense and direct.

The Doc

Thanks. That's what I thought. Any difference between flourescent (cool) versus incandescent light? My one-room detached home office is flourescent with daylight-spectrum bulbs. I have A/C for my computing equipment so it rarely hits 80 degrees but in the winter it can get cool, in the mid to low 60's.

Am I correct in assuming that if the humidity on my digital hygrometer is reading 70% +/- 2%, I'm in pretty good shape even if the interior humidor temp drops to a low of 65%?

Good point about frosted glass. I currently have a newbie 50ct wood humidor and was interested in upgrading so I'd have room if/when I started buying a few boxes to age properly. What I'd like about glass is the ability to check the digital hygrometer without having to OPEN the humidor.

I know a little about homebrewing and have a LOT of experience with good beer and I wouldn't go NEAR a beer that came in a clear bottle unless I had to have fluid and all other alternatives were gone. I'd sooner drink Los Angeles tap water than Miller or most American "suds". Gimme a good hoppy ale (OK, 3) and a strong stogie and I'm a happy camper.

[rumballs]

The glass is so the owner can drool over the cigars without opening the top. If one is worried about light (or about other eyes being able to see the contents of the humi), one should get a humi without glass.

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by Aaron

Thanks. That's what I thought. Any difference between flourescent (cool) versus incandescent light? My one-room detached home office is flourescent with daylight-spectrum bulbs. I have A/C for my computing equipment so it rarely hits 80 degrees but in the winter it can get cool, in the mid to low 60's.

Am I correct in assuming that if the humidity on my digital hygrometer is reading 70% +/- 2%, I'm in pretty good shape even if the interior humidor temp drops to a low of 65%?

Good point about frosted glass. I currently have a newbie 50ct wood humidor and was interested in upgrading so I'd have room if/when I started buying a few boxes to age properly. What I'd like about glass is the ability to check the digital hygrometer without having to OPEN the humidor.

Well I keep my glass top out of the sun light and it keeps good readings. I do not think that any kind of indoor lighting would cause a huge temp change. And your right glass means looking in on the top tray and Hydro without opening the Humi all the time.

As far as your RH most people like either 65 or 70%. I would not personally go over 65-68% for myself but if 70 is what you like then by all means. Just watch going over 70% because your smokes could get way to damp.

I am not sure how I would feel about frosted or tinted glass for my humi. I kind of like the clear.

Anyway just my

[Nely]

I have to agree with the Dr. Direct sunlight will increase your humi temp and also dry out your sticks. There is a nearby store that keep their cigars very close to the entry door in a glass humidor and the sun beats on them everyday for a few hours in the afternoon. I have never seen uglier cigars...well, may be in Jamaica.
Glass is very cool cause you can check out your precious stogies and keep an eye on your hygro without having to open the humidor. But it is not a very good insulator compared to wood, you may have temp fluctuations in a glasstop humi, where as in a solid top the temp will be more stable.
I say get a glasstop humi for your soon-to-be smoked cigars, and a solid top for your aging stash.

[joed]

So, why don't I just come right out and say it - stay away from the glass top humidor - the possibility of solar gain changing the temp inside the box and damaging your cigar is a real thing. The insulating qualities of glass are also an issue as one of the other Gorillas pointed out. I believe that the solid wood humidor is better in all aspects.

I mean - if the idea is to create an environment that promotes the preservation and aging of your cigars - why select a humidor that comes with all of the caveats that have been mentioned for the glass top?

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by joed

So, why don't I just come right out and say it - stay away from the glass top humidor - the possibility of solar gain changing the temp inside the box and damaging your cigar is a real thing. The insulating qualities of glass are also an issue as one of the other Gorillas pointed out. I believe that the solid wood humidor is better in all aspects.

I mean - if the idea is to create an environment that promotes the preservation and aging of your cigars - why select a humidor that comes with all of the caveats that have been mentioned for the glass top?

Or just keep your glass top out of sunlight. As I said above my glass top is not in the sun and RH and temp are always stable.

[opus]

No glass for me. I like to smell the inventory when I open them up to check the humidity and temp. If you don't want to open them you can get remote sensors for some hygrometers, I think Radioshack is one source.

[PadronMe]

Thanks. I never have quite grasped chemistry and here you go trying to confuse me more.

[MikeZ]

I understand the attraction to glass top humis although mine is solid wood. In order to stop myself from opening it all the time to check the temp and humidity, I recently purchased the following item from Radio Shack:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2102585

It works great and is relatively accurate. This item comes with one wireless remote sensor, but you can add two more. I've got one in my main humi and one in my coolidor. I can't tell you how happy I am with this product.

[Jkbd33]

I concurr that direct sunlight would be bad.

[SeanGAR]

We use glass because it is cheap. For some plastics we add UV absorbing chemicals that retain the clear color (they don't absorb in VIS) which decreases harmful (i.e., UV) light exposure. You can make the plastic colored (yellow for example) and get this effect cheaper. For clear glass, there will be some negative effects on oxidation due to UV light ... milk in glass under fluorescent display cabinet bulbs quickly develops a burnt feathers or light induced oxidation flavor. The cigars are not likely to be placed under that intensity of light exposure. If they were, and the glass did not absorb UV, I might expect negative effects on flavor due to oxidation. OTOH, as oxidation reactions may be involved in ageing of cigars, they might just age faster.

As far as beer is concerned, clear and green glass allow UV light to produce oxidation, leading to skunky flavors. The Heinekin aroma is skunky to me because of this. Beer in clear glass often uses reduced hop extracts rather than whole flowers or plugs .. the reduction of =O to OH in an iso-α-acid side chain increases light-stability and reduces skunky aroma (prenyl mercaptin). So Miller uses reduced hop extracts and avoids the problem so they can get decent enough beer (no flames) in clear bottles. Corona used to be skunky as hell ... I dont drink it often but last time it was OK ... perhaps they licensed Miller's Patented technology?

There are big differences in the UV absorption of PETE (PET) and LDPE plastics that relate to their chemical sturcture.

[cls515]

Ooohh I have a minor in that stuff! I think clear glass is used to show off cigars.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by Aaron

Any difference between flourescent (cool) versus incandescent light?

Flourescent lights are more efficient than incandescents when it comes to converting energy into light. That is, they are cooler, cheaper to run, and last longer. They also produce less UV light than incandescents. Finally, flourescents come in different flavors, the "cool" one's emit less harmful UV rays.

Originally Posted by Aaron

Am I correct in assuming that if the humidity on my digital hygrometer is reading 70% +/- 2%, I'm in pretty good shape even if the interior humidor temp drops to a low of 65%?

I am assuming you meant 65 degrees (F), not 65%. Anyway, some digital hygrometers can be up to +5% error factor but most are generally lower. A temperature of 65 degrees (F) will not be a problem, cooler is better than too hot. But since tobacco is grown in tropical environments, the stogies typically prefer a warm temp around 70 degrees. However, it's best to keep the temp as stable as possible, even if it's at 65-70 degrees (F).

The Doc