Editing Humidor (section)

==Maintenance==
A humidor needs to be seasoned when new or having been out of use for a while.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-season-a-new-humidor-719691|title=How to Season a New Humidor|last=Manelski|first=Gary|website=liveabout.com|date=November 11, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2020}}</ref> Wood in an unseasoned humidor will absorb moisture from within, drying stored cigars out. The preferred technique for bringing the wood close to an optimal relative humidity level where it will buffer moisture is placing a small container of distilled water inside the humidor for 1 to 3 days.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

===Humidity===
Some humidors contain a permanent humidifying system which keeps the air moist, which in turn keeps the cigars moist. Without a humidor, within two to three days, cigars will quickly lose moisture and level up with the general humidity around them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.galanocigars.com/en/ask/cigars-without-humidor|title=How long do cigars last without a humidor?|access-date=25 March 2017|archive-date=15 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315091715/https://www.galanocigars.com/en/ask/cigars-without-humidor|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ideal [[relative humidity]] in a humidor is around 68–72%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cigars.about.com/od/humidors/qt/humidor101.htm|title=How to Correct the Humidity Level in a Humidor|website=about.com|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=17 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217004307/http://cigars.about.com/od/humidors/qt/humidor101.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Though it can vary slightly depending on the cigar smoker's preferences, it should never go higher than 75%{{Citation needed|reason=conflicting numbers with construction section|date=August 2012}} due to the possibility of hatching [[Lasioderma serricorne|tobacco beetles]]. The more empty space, the more readily the humidity level of the box will fluctuate.

Most humidifying elements are passive, releasing stored humidity through evaporation and diffusion. The use of a 50/50 solution of [[propylene glycol]] and [[distilled water]] is recommended for replenishing the passive humidifying element, as it has a buffering effect on air humidity, maintaining it at approximately 70%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ourpastimes.com/keep-fresh-rolling-own-cigarettes-8174501.html|title=How to Make Your Own Humidor Solution|last=Volz|first=Samantha|website=ourpastimes.com|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=August 26, 2020}}</ref> Retailers and manufacturers claim propylene glycol also has mild antifungal and antibacterial properties; distilled water should always be used, due to its lack of minerals, additives, or bacteria.

Electronic humidifiers are also available, although usually reserved for very large humidors.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} A sensor measures the outside humidity and then activates a ventilator, which blows air over a humid sponge or water tank into the humidor. Once the preset humidity level has been reached the ventilator stops. This way electronic humidifiers can maintain a much more stable humidity level than passive humidifiers. Also they typically will activate an alarm to notify when the moisture supply needs refilling, to prevent humidity drops. The accuracy of electronic humidifiers depends primarily on the integrated type of sensor; the capacitive type are preferred.

[[Silica gel]] beads, familiar for removing moisture from packaging containers, are a third alternative.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xy2CDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT286|title=The Ultimate Cigar Book|edition=4th|last=Carleton Hacker|first=Richard|date=2 June 2015|page=286|publisher=Skyhourse|isbn=978-1-63220-657-2}}</ref> These are "calibrated" with a coating of mineral salts to absorb or release humidity in various RH ranges (including 65%, 68%, 70%, and 72%), providing a buffering effect on relative humidity. They require only distilled water when necessary, and can be ruined by propylene glycol.

Most humidors contain a hygrometer which is a device that can measure the humidity of the environment. Whether analogue or digital, these hygrometers can be used to measure the levels of humidity inside the humidor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cigarlounge.crownhumidors.com/humidor-guide/what-is-a-hygrometer/|title=Regardless, digital hygrometers|website=crownhumidors.com|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> Regardless, digital hygrometers tend to be more accurate when compared to the analogue ones.

===Temperature===
A humidor should never be exposed to direct sunlight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humidor-guide.com/storing-cigars/optimum-temperature|title=Optimum temperature for cigar storage|website=humidor-guide.com|access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref> To discourage eggs of tobacco beetles from hatching and to prevent cigar rot, its internal temperature should be kept below {{convert|25|C}}{{Citation needed|reason=same numbers questioned above|date=August 2012}}, as well as below 75%{{Citation needed|reason=science|date=August 2012}} relative humidity. At temperatures below {{convert|12|C}}, the desired ageing process of the cigars is impaired, making storage in wine cellars problematic.