mason jars for cigar storage?

[Titus13]

I use mason jars for my pipe tobacco anybody use them for cigar storage?

[Herf N Turf]

CIgars have been stored in jars for centuries (well, two anyway). Providing the sticks are at propper humidity and the jar offers a good seal and is clean, you should be ok.

[fiddlegrin]

Yasssir!

I used to do that years ago. Totally worked. If you put in some cedar sheets that helps too!

I used to roll the cedar sheets into a cylinder with a slightly moist paper towel in the middle and a rubber band to hold it stable...

[e-man]

No different than a cigar jar. It will do the job, but it won't protect as well as a desktop humidor. The humidor will offer more consistent humidity, and offers more physical protection.

Cigar jars are notorious for damage, especially to the foot of the cigar. Anytime you handle a cigar, you risk damaging it. People tend to drop cigars into jars and it smashes/cracks the foot. You'll see people rolling, bumping or shaking the jar to align the sticks or get to the ones in the middle. When you set the jar down, all the sticks settle/fall into place. With a jar, every time you handle a cigar, you're pretty much handling all of the cigars. Whereas, with a humidor you can lift entire trays without disturbing the sticks or bumping them into each other. Jars are more likely to be knocked over as they are tall and thin. They are also more likely to break apart in the event of an accident.

Then there is humidity. Since humidity rises, it is possible for the top of the cigar to be more humid than the bottom. When was the last time you walked into a humidor and saw sticks stored vertically? A cigar on it's side will have more consistent humidity as the entire stick is at the same height. Most humidors are short and wide, which allows passive humidification to be fairly consistent throughout. Jars on the other hand tend to be tall and thin. Of course, cabinet humidors are tall and thin, but usually have active humidification systems with fans to smooth out the differences.

Finally, there is light. Plain glass does not block much UV light. If you use a glass jar, then it is best to keep it in darker locations. Darker colored glass gives more protection...that's why beer bottles are brown.


With all that said, there's nothing wrong with using a jar, you just need to be more careful than with a conventional humidor. However, if you want to make a cheap makeshift humidor, I would suggest a short/wide Tupperware or Rubbermaid container instead. If you can find one that isn't clear, that would be even better.

[Phantom57]

Don't do it for long term storage. Ok for ready service, ie desktop use only. Jars do not breathe, which cigars need. I have kept pipe tobacco in mason jars for years with no ill effect, but cigars I tried for one year, and they were ruined. Also do not use a jar with a pure rubber gasket, the smell with permeate the tobacco.