Buying A Humidor - A Basic Buying Guide

[n2advnture]

Buying a humidor is a serious step, so having the best knowledge possible is essential in choosing a humidor that not only fits your needs but doesn't break your bank.

The keys points in choosing a quality humidor:

1.) Size. This is tricky because most places list the size by "Cigar Count". The estimates on how many cigars the humidor they are selling varies greatly. IGNORE the "Cigar Count" and look at the actual dimensions. When comparing two humidors, multiply the L x W x H to get the cubic inches and then compare them.

2.) Gauging quality is tough when viewing humidors online but there are a couple of things you can look for.

A.) The first thing to watch out for is using any wood other than Spanish Cedar for the inside lining. You'll be amazed at how many places don't!

B.) The second is the use of acrylic instead of glass for glass top models or screen printing a "wood inlay" instead actually using wood. If the manufacturer skimps on the glass or inlay, they probably skimped somewhere else as well.


C.) Joinery. The best quality humidors use dove tails or splines and are made of exotic woods. An affordable humidor should have at least mitred corners "butt joints" are no good and should be avoided.


D.) The pictures. Look closely at the pictures, you can often tell how "cheap" a humidor is if you look closely at the finish and hardware shown in the pics.

3.) Beware of inflated shipping! Humidors can be pricey to ship depending on the size but a humidor that costs $20 shouldn't have shipping cost of $35. An average desktop humidor (13"x10"x6") shouldn't run more than about $15 shipped within the US via Priority Mail. If someone won't openly list their shipping prices, keep looking. This particularly is important when buying off of Ebay.

4.) Check their return policy! Avoid "no returns if box is open" or "all sale are final".

5.) Also, go bigger! Everyone who gets into cigars eventually ends up buy a larger humidor down the road. You have done the research and are finally making a decision to buy a quality humidor, you might as well buy one that you can "grow into" instead of starting over a few months from now.

If in doubt, ask questions! And don't forget about the coolerdor! It's simply the most cost effective way to get started in the hobby!

It's a weird phenomenon that occurs with we cigar smokers. We will spend a fortune on cigars but when it comes to the two most important aspects of properly maintaining their collection (humidors & humidification, they suddenly turn thrifty. This is DEFINITELY not the time to sacrifice quality for a deal if you intend on storing cigars for any period of time, whether a month, months or years….don't cheap out on your humidor or it's humidification!

Happy smoking my friends and hope this helps!

~Mark

[RockyP]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

Buying a humidor is a serious step, so having the best knowledge possible is essential in choosing a humidor that not only fits your needs but doesn't break your bank.

The keys points in choosing a quality humidor:

1.) Size. This is tricky because most places list the size by "Cigar Count". The estimates on how many cigars the humidor they are selling varies greatly. IGNORE the "Cigar Count" and look at the actual dimensions. When comparing two humidors, multiply the L x W x H to get the cubic inches and then compare them.

2.) Gauging quality is tough when viewing humidors online but there are a couple of things you can look for.

A.) The first thing to watch out for is using any wood other than Spanish Cedar for the inside lining. You'll be amazed at how many places don't!

B.) The second is the use of acrylic instead of glass for glass top models or screen printing a "wood inlay" instead actually using wood. If the manufacturer skimps on the glass or inlay, they probably skimped somewhere else as well.


C.) Joinery. The best quality humidors use dove tails or splines and are made of exotic woods. An affordable humidor should have at least mitred corners "butt joints" are no good and should be avoided.


D.) The pictures. Look closely at the pictures, you can often tell how "cheap" a humidor is if you look closely at the finish and hardware shown in the pics.

3.) Beware of inflated shipping! Humidors can be pricey to ship depending on the size but a humidor that costs $20 shouldn't have shipping cost of $35. An average desktop humidor (13"x10"x6") shouldn't run more than about $15 shipped within the US via Priority Mail. If someone won't openly list their shipping prices, keep looking. This particularly is important when buying off of Ebay.

4.) Check their return policy! Avoid "no returns if box is open" or "all sale are final".

5.) Also, go bigger! Everyone who gets into cigars eventually ends up buy a larger humidor down the road. You have done the research and are finally making a decision to buy a quality humidor, you might as well buy one that you can "grow into" instead of starting over a few months from now.

If in doubt, ask questions! And don't forget about the coolerdor! It's simply the most cost effective way to get started in the hobby!

It's a weird phenomenon that occurs with we cigar smokers. We will spend a fortune on cigars but when it comes to the two most important aspects of properly maintaining their collection (humidors & humidification, they suddenly turn thrifty. This is DEFINITELY not the time to sacrifice quality for a deal if you intend on storing cigars for any period of time, whether a month, months or years….don't cheap out on your humidor or it's humidification!

Happy smoking my friends and hope this helps!

~Mark

excellent job. i wish you did this about 2 months ago. i have bought 4 humis in the last 2 months because i kept looking at the cigar count

[Malik23]

Nice writeup. I wish I'd read this before I got my current humi a few months ago. Took a good look at it last night, and it's sadly lacking quite a few things.

[jcruz1027]

All HAIL MARK! You the man bro!

Great ending on not cheaping out on storage and humidification...someone should sticky this and your palette post.

[Sturat]

Well done!!

[n2advnture]

People seem to be digging these threads as well, in case you're interested.

Smoking in your car
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...light=refining

Refining Your Palette
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...light=refining

Lighter Problems?
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...hlight=lighter

Buying A Humidor - A Basic Buying Guide
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=33488

Have a great weekend you all!

~Mark

[Simon Templar]

Man am I wishing I read suggestion number 5 before buying my first 20 count. im already overflowing. I am talking about buying bigger humis and more gars and the wife is getting pissed. This place is ruining me I tell ya!!!!!!!!!

[n2advnture]

Thanks for the kinds words everyone, glad to help out

~Mark

[luckybandit]

wonderful post just be forwarned bigger is really better otherwise you will have a cave full of tooooooooo small humi's

[Blaylock]

Thanks Mark, for posting this thread list. I've added a few to my favorites. I especially found the "Refining Your Palate" thread very helpful.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[JohnnyFlake]

Very well done Mark!

For those of you who wish take the cigar count factor into consideration, you should know, that cigar count, when referring to humidors, is based on a Corona size cigar, which is 42 x 5 5/8".

JohnnyFlake

[Baric]

WTG Mark, some great cigeducation there!

[omowasu]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

2.) Gauging quality is tough when viewing humidors online but there are a couple of things you can look for.

A.) The first thing to watch out for is using any wood other than Spanish Cedar for the inside lining. You'll be amazed at how many places don't!

C.) Joinery. The best quality humidors use dove tails or splines and are made of exotic woods. An affordable humidor should have at least mitred corners "butt joints" are no good and should be avoided.

3.) Beware of inflated shipping! Humidors can be pricey to ship depending on the size but a humidor that costs $20 shouldn't have shipping cost of $35. An average desktop humidor (13"x10"x6") shouldn't run more than about $15 shipped within the US via Priority Mail. If someone won't openly list their shipping prices, keep looking. This particularly is important when buying off of Ebay.

If in doubt, ask questions! And don't forget about the coolerdor! It's simply the most cost effective way to get started in the hobby!

Mark, this is probably one of the best humi write-ups I have seen. I agree with everything you have discussed except one item partially - the joint construction. I have seen biscuit joints on larger humidors which I feel are acceptable - they look like a butt joint from the outside but are held together by several small "biscuits" milled into the joints. Smaller humi's rarely use biscuit joints as they are just too small... Indeed, true butt-joints are a no-no, the moisture will eventually cause them to split.

I agree thoroughly with your requirement of spanish cedar. Most of the cheaperdors are lined with pine or other pressed woods. Pine oils can impart a funny taste to a stogie. 99% of cigar manufacturers use spanish cedar in their aging rooms and presses. There is a reason for this.

Also, yes, many sellers on eBay pad their costs with egregious shipping charges. Many are non-negotiable, but an easy way to tell would be to ask the seller how much the item weighs, and look up the shipping costs on FedEx, etc. Add 2.00 or so for packaging and a fair shipping price is determined.

That said, I do have one cheap eBay humi for dog rockets and yard gars. My good smokes go in a cedar-lined humi if I want to smoke them soon, or reside in a coolerdor filled with unvarnished cedar boxes if they are going to be around for a while.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

An excellent post Mark. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with the BOTLs.

Here's another source for info on buying your own humidor.

Doc

[scotth]

Excellent post Mark!

Unfortunately I think the hardest part of buying a humidor is convincing yourself you need a big humi. I bought a 150 count thinking I would never fill it up....I outgrew it in 3 months. At least I can say I'm happy being broke because I have a wine cooler full of smokes I drool over on a daily basis.

Scott