Temperature and Humidity

[Kukla]

I'm a beginning cigar smoker, so I have a question about temperature and humidity. If you don't store your cigars in the proper temperature and humidity how much will that affect the taste of your cigars?

[JCK]

Hi Kukla. You're biggest concern I believe with temperature, that as your rise above 70F, the possibility of tobacco beetles hatching increases. With that said in the summertime, it's definately difficult to keep the temperatures close to 70F without really increasing power consumption for some. I've been okay in the mid 70's but that's taking a risk.

Some people prefer to freeze all their cigars when they receive them. Search on cigar freezing for the various threads discussing the pros and cons.

Humidity wise. That is a preference. You'll read alot of 70/70 for optimal storage conditions, but I do not like to smoke my cigars at 70 RH. Mid to lower 60's work better for me in RH in terms of burning and flavors tasted.

When you have a few moments, why don't you stop into the New Gorilla Forum and introduce yourself. Tell us a little about yourself. The gorillas in here like to welcome new folk!

Happy smoking

[Footbag]

Originally Posted by Kukla

I'm a beginning cigar smoker, so I have a question about temperature and humidity. If you don't store your cigars in the proper temperature and humidity how much will that affect the taste of your cigars?

Temperature above 70 increases the chances of beetle infestations, and temperature and humidity swings can cause swelling of cigars and cracking of wrappers.

Too high of a humidity can cause mold and unpleasant flavors. Too low of a humidity dries out the oils and causes cigars to lose their flavor.

[Nurse_Maduro]

Originally Posted by Footbag

Temperature above 70 increases the chances of beetle infestations, and temperature and humidity swings can cause swelling of cigars and cracking of wrappers.

Too high of a humidity can cause mold and unpleasant flavors. Too low of a humidity dries out the oils and causes cigars to lose their flavor.

Yep. Taste may actually be the least of your problems if your sticks aren't stored properly.

[mosesbotbol]

Both matter. As temp's go down, more water is needed to keep the humidity at the same levels. As temp's get too high, beetles and bursted heads are more likely.

Over humidified cigars smoke like crap, under-humidified cigars burn really hot and harsh.

Low 60's % RH is where you want to be.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by Nurse_Maduro

Yep. Taste may actually be the least of your problems if your sticks aren't stored properly.

Good point, I prefer mine at 65-70 degrees and 63-65% RH.

[mrreindeer]

Originally Posted by scottw

Good point, I prefer mine at 65-70 degrees and 63-65% RH.

I'm with Scott.

And when these gorillas say too humid cigars smoke smoke like crap...they mean they're too moist, too hard to stay lit, go out on you, you have to purge, relight, etc. I just thought I'd clarify because I didn't get it when I started.

[ucla695]

I prefer mine around 63ish RH and store them around 65 F. If the sticks are too moist, you'll run into burn issues. The cigar will either be really hard to keep lit, it will tunnel or start to run on one side. These will contribute to taste/draw issues and will diminish your enjoyment of the cigar. I've wasted many cigars due to high humidity levels before I lowered my RH and started dry boxing.

Not to mention mold and beetles.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

I'm with Scott.

And when these gorillas say too humid cigars smoke smoke like crap...they mean they're too moist, too hard to stay lit, go out on you, you have to purge, relight, etc. I just thought I'd clarify because I didn't get it when I started.

Also when they are too wet, flavors can be quite muted. That's my main problem.

[Yoda!]

Personally I have found that some cigars should be a little on the dry side (60 to 62%), and some should be a little wet (68 to as high as 72%). Unfortunately only you can decide which is which. Because of this, I keep three small humidors filled. As far as temp, I've kept cigars in a tent, and in my truck sleeper, while I was in Iraq, without problems.

[madurolover]

High temps. greatly increase the risk of beetles.

[Yoda!]

Originally Posted by madurolover

High temps. greatly increase the risk of beetles.

Yes, assuming that beetles are present, and are alive...

[Totemic]

These days, I pay more attention to the RH than the temperature. My cabinet routinely hits 70+ degrees, and during the summer months was often near the 80 degree mark.

I haven't had any beetle issues and I've never frozen any of my cigars.

What I have experienced is cigars that got too moist. When I used to try and keep my humidor at the 70% RH mark, the cigars not only had a lot of burn/draw issues, the taste also got really metallic.

Dropping the RH to 63% to 65% (with 65% being the absolute upper limit for me), my cigars are a lot easier to smoke and simply taste a lot better.

Also given that I live in the Pacific Northwest (aka., Moldsville USA), I'm always worried about getting too much moisture in the humidor and triggering a mold outbreak. So that's actually my biggest concern these days.

[singlguy9]

My humi's have been between 62-65 Rh for years........no worries here

I've never had beetles either.......I try to keep the temp below 70 at all times; sometimes that's hard in the summer time.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Yoda!

Yes, assuming that beetles are present, and are alive...

All tobacco has microscopic dormant beetle eggs on the leaves. When the right condtions happen, those eggs begin will produce larvae that will then grow into a beetle.