How to Fill a Cigar Humidor Without Trays or Dividers

Having a humidor is essential for any cigar lover who wants to preserve the quality, freshness and aromas of their precious cigars. But what if your humidor doesn’t have trays or dividers?

Don’t panic! In this article, we’ll explain how to organize and fill your humidor without trays or dividers , while optimizing the conservation of your cigars.

Why is organization important in a cigar humidor?

Cigars are natural products that require special attention. They are sensitive to humidity and temperature variations, and their flavor can be influenced by their environment. Good organization in the humidor is crucial for:

• Maintain constant humidity : Ensure good humidity circulation to prevent some cigars from being too dry or too humid.
• Preserve flavors : Prevent cigars with different flavors from mixing.
• Protect the physical integrity of cigars : Prevent them from being damaged by being packed too tightly or stacked carelessly.

Without shelves or dividers, careful organization and a few tricks can help you get the most out of your cellar.

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Step 1: Prepare your cigar humidor

1.1 Season the cellar

Before you even think about storing your cigars, it’s crucial to season your humidor . This means preparing the inside of the humidor to reach an optimal humidity level of 65% to 72% and preventing the wood (often Spanish cedar) from absorbing moisture from the cigars.

• Clean the interior with a slightly damp cloth (distilled water only) to remove any dust.
• Place a humidifier filled with distilled water in the cellar and let it sit for 24 to 48 hours.
• Use a calibrated hygrometer to monitor humidity.

1.2 Check your cigars

Before storing your cigars, inspect them to make sure they are in good condition, free of mold and damage. If you have cigars with very strong flavors, such as flavored cigars, consider storing them separately to prevent them from contaminating others.

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Step 2: Organize Cigars in a Humidor Without Trays or Dividers

Organizing cigars in a humidor is a crucial step to ensure their optimal conservation. In a humidor without trays or dividers, you must pay particular attention to the layout to preserve the aromas, avoid mixing flavors and allow good circulation of humidity. Here is how to do it in detail.

2.1 Remove or keep the ferrules?

Ferrules , the decorative rings around cigars, are not just aesthetic. They also play a role in preserving flavors and identifying cigars.

• Keep the ferrules :
  Keeping the ferrules in place is recommended if you own cigars of different brands or strengths. This allows you to:
  • Easily identify each cigar without mixing them up.
  • Reduce flavor transfer between cigars with very distinct flavors.
• Remove the ferrules :
  Some purists prefer to remove the ferrules to allow the cigars to "breathe" fully. If you choose this option, be sure to organize your cigars well so as not to mix them up and avoid olfactory contamination.

Tip: If you remove the ferrules, you can keep them in a pouch or notebook, noting the position of each cigar in the humidor.

2.2 Group by type and intensity

To prevent cigar flavors from mixing, it is essential to group similar cigars together .

Here is an effective method:

• Separate by intensity :
  • Place the soft cigars to one side.
  • Group the full-bodied cigars together.
• Organize by flavor type :
  Flavored cigars (e.g., rum or vanilla infused) should be stored separately. These cigars have strong flavors that could contaminate regular cigars.

Why is this separation important?
Cigars are made from tobacco leaves that continue to evolve and absorb surrounding aromas. Improper grouping can alter the tasting experience.

2.3 Arrangement of cigars : crossed and spaced

In a humidor without trays or dividers, the arrangement of the cigars plays a key role in ensuring uniform humidity.

• Cross-Layered Arrangement :
  • First layer : Place a first row of cigars parallel to each other, directly on the bottom of the humidor.
  • Second layer : Arrange the second layer perpendicular to the first, as if you were building a stack of bricks.
  • Third layer (if necessary) : Continue with a crisscross arrangement to maximize space while allowing good moisture circulation.

Advantages of this arrangement :

• Allows air and moisture to circulate between cigars.
• Avoid compression, which could damage the cigars or alter their structure.

2.4 Using improvised props

Even if your humidor doesn't have dividers or trays, you can improvise with simple materials to better organize your cigars:

• Spanish Cedar Wood Pieces :
  If you have cedar cigar boxes, salvage the slats or boards to use as makeshift dividers. Cedar also has the benefit of helping to preserve cigars by regulating humidity.

• Acid-free paper :
  Use acid-free paper to separate different varieties of cigars. This material protects the cigars without altering their preservation.

• Storage bags :
  If you have flavored cigars, you can store them in airtight bags inside the humidor, while maintaining controlled humidity.

2.5 Avoiding Common Mistakes

When organizing your cigars in a humidor without dividers or trays, here are some mistakes to avoid:

• Cellar overload :
  Don't fill your humidor to the brim. Air must be able to circulate freely around the cigars to maintain constant humidity.

• Mix of cigars with different aromas :
  Even with ferrules, highly flavored cigars can influence the flavors of regular cigars if they are too close.

• Direct contact with the humidifier :
  Do not place cigars too close to the humidor, as excess humidity could cause them to deteriorate.

By following these organizational tips, you guarantee:

• Uniform humidity for all your cigars.
• Optimal preservation of aromas.
• A practical and elegant presentation, even without a tray or dividers.

Organization is the key to fully enjoying your cigars, and good arrangement will allow you to preserve their quality, structure and taste for a perfect tasting experience.

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Step 3: Maintain the ideal environment for your cigars

3.1 Control humidity

In a cellar without a tray, the humidity may be less uniform. Check regularly that the humidity level remains between 65% and 72% :

• Place a central humidifier in the cellar.
• Calibrate the hygrometer regularly for accurate measurements.

3.2 Cigar Rotation

To ensure uniform humidity, rotate cigars monthly :

• Move the bottom ones to the top.
• Swap the cigars on the sides with the ones in the center.

3.3 Monitor the temperature

Maintain a stable temperature around 21°C . Too high a temperature can encourage the proliferation of parasites such as tobacco beetles .

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Step 4: Why is it essential to organize your cigars well?

Optimal storage in a cellar without shelves or dividers offers several advantages:

• Uniform preservation : All cigars benefit from uniform humidity and temperature.
• Preservation of flavors : Cigars with mild flavors are not contaminated by those with full-bodied flavors.
• Ease of access : Good organization allows you to quickly find your favorite cigars.

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Step 5: Tips for optimizing your cigar humidor

• Adopt a cigar journal : Note the position of each cigar in the humidor and their characteristics for easy tracking.
• Avoid overloading : Do not fill your cellar to the brim to allow good air circulation.
• Maintain your cellar regularly : Clean the interior with a slightly damp cloth (distilled water only) every 3 to 6 months.

Organizing a humidor without trays or dividers may seem complex at first, but with the right practices, you can maximize the preservation and flavor of your cigars. By following these steps, you will ensure uniform humidity, preserve the unique flavors of each cigar, and prevent physical damage.

Take care of your cigars, and they will reward you with an exceptional tasting experience. Whether you are an amateur or an avid collector, organizing your humidor is an art that deserves your full attention.