Humidity in the Cigar Humidor: Why is a 5% difference normal?

A common question among cigar aficionados is whether humidity differences in humidors are normal or a sign of a malfunction. In this in-depth article, we'll explore why it's common to see a difference of around 5% in humidity between different levels in the same humidor and how to optimize this situation to ensure optimal preservation of your precious cigars.

Understanding Humidity in a Cigar Humidor

Storing cigars requires a specific environment, ideally between 65% and 70% relative humidity.

This beach allows you to:

• Maintain the flexibility of the leaves,
• Maintain aromas without excessive fermentation,
• Ensure easy ignition and even combustion.

📌 Too low humidity dries out cigars; too high humidity makes them spongy, difficult to draw, and can cause mold.

But what happens when you notice a difference of a few points between different areas of your cellar? Is it serious? The short answer is no, but let's examine why in detail.

Why do we observe differences in humidity?

1. Natural circulation of warm, humid air

Air physics plays a crucial role. Warm, moisture-laden air tends to naturally rise in the cellar. This phenomenon, called natural convection, explains why the top of your cellar may have a slightly different humidity level than the middle or bottom.

2. Placement of the humidifier

Most humidors have a humidifier, usually located at the bottom. The humidity generated therefore needs time to diffuse evenly throughout the entire humidor. Depending on the size and internal design, this distribution may not be perfectly even.

3. Spacing of shelves and cigars

Closely spaced shelves or tightly packed cigars can restrict air circulation, exacerbating humidity variations. Proper spacing is therefore essential.

4. Absorbent materials like cedar wood

Spanish cedar wood, often used in humidors for its aromatic and absorbent properties, can also influence humidity levels. If this wood is not pre-conditioned, it will initially absorb a lot of moisture, contributing to noticeable differences.

Should you aim for absolute stability in your cigar humidor? No, and here's why.

It's tempting to believe that a perfectly regulated cellar, with a constant humidity of 70% in every corner, represents the absolute ideal. In reality, this idea is more of a technical fantasy than a realistic goal. And above all: it's neither necessary nor desirable .

1. The cigar: a living and reactive product

A cigar is not a frozen product. It is made from long-fermented tobacco leaves, rolled by hand, and then stored in a controlled environment. These leaves are organic , porous , and reactive to their environment. They "breathe": they absorb and release moisture according to the internal microclimate of the humidor.

So, even with a high-performance humidifier, it is perfectly normal to observe fluctuations:

• A cigar placed near the humidity source will easily display 70%,
• While a cigar further away, or placed high up in a cabinet, can go down to 65%,
• And even a perfectly calibrated hygrometer can show variations depending on its positioning.

2. Why this 3-5% variation is not only normal… but beneficial

A gentle oscillation of humidity in a cigar humidor is not a defect , but a natural behavior . It allows:

✅ To avoid excessive stagnation of humidity,
✅ To air the cigars without drying them out,
✅ To promote "controlled breathing" of the tobacco (better development of aromas),
✅ To simulate the natural behavior of traditional cellars with drawers or wooden compartments.

👉 In short, aiming for a relative humidity swing is perfectly acceptable and even recommended by many cellar masters and premium cigar makers.

Impact of temperature variations on relative humidity

The relative humidity inside a cigar humidor is directly dependent on the ambient temperature. Indeed, the air's capacity to retain moisture increases with temperature. Thus, a slight fluctuation in temperature can lead to significant changes in relative humidity.

Concrete example:

• If your cellar has a relative humidity of 70% at a temperature of 20°C, simply changing the humidity to 22°C without adding or removing water can reduce the observed relative humidity to around 65%. This does not mean that your cellar is actually losing humidity, but simply that the air's ability to retain moisture increases with temperature.

How to manage these variations:

• Ideally, maintain a stable temperature between 18°C ​​and 22°C .
• Avoid locations subject to rapid temperature changes (near a window, a heater or under air conditioning).
• Regularly check the internal temperature of the cellar with a precision thermometer.

Special case of new cigar humidors: initial conditioning

When a cigar humidor is new, it requires an essential step called initial conditioning . This step allows the interior wood, especially Spanish cedar , to properly humidify to prevent it from absorbing all the moisture to the detriment of the cigars during the first uses.

Recommended steps for conditioning a new cellar:

1. Lightly dampen all interior wooden walls with a new, damp (but not soggy) sponge.
2. Place an open container of demineralized water inside for 3 to 5 days to stabilize the humidity level.
3. Check the humidity daily with a hygrometer. When the level remains stable around 70%, your humidor is ready to store your cigars.

Adding new cigars to the humidor

Adding new cigars temporarily affects internal humidity. Recently added cigars may be drier or more humid than the average humidity in your humidor.

Here's how to handle this situation:

• If the cigars are too dry, place them in an airtight plastic bag with a humidity packet for a few days before adding them to your humidor.
• If the cigars are damp, let them sit at room temperature for 24 hours before introduction.

This precaution helps prevent sudden fluctuations in humidity in your cellar.

What is the humidity difference considered normal?

According to manufacturers and industry experts, a humidity difference of ±5% between cellar levels is common and should not be a cause for undue concern.

For example, the renowned manufacturer EuroCave specifies in its user manuals that a variation of up to 10% remains acceptable and safe for cigar preservation. Similarly, NewAir, a renowned American manufacturer, clearly states in its technical documentation that a difference of ±5% around the target level is normal and does not compromise preservation quality.

How to optimize humidity evenly?

Although a difference in humidity is normal, here are some tips to improve the situation:

1. Optimize the location of the humidifier

Place the humidifier in a strategic location, preferably towards the middle of the cellar, for optimal diffusion of humidity.

2. Use a special cigar humidor fan

There are small fans specially designed to homogenize the indoor air without unduly disturbing the sensitive environment of the cigars.

3. Properly space the shelves and cigars

Make sure the shelves do not block the air and that the cigars are not stacked too tightly.

4. Regularly check seals and tightness

Proper sealing of the seals around the lid and windows is essential to maintain consistent humidity. A simple test is to place a lit lamp inside and observe in the dark whether light passes through the seals.

5. Calibrate your hygrometer regularly

An improperly calibrated hygrometer can mislead you. Calibrate it regularly with calibration solutions available from cigar specialists.

6. Add an extra humidifier

If you regularly observe a noticeable difference of about 5% in humidity between the top and middle or bottom of your humidor, adding an additional humidifier can be a great solution .

Why is it effective?

• Even humidity distribution : A second humidifier strategically placed at a different level (e.g., at the top or in the middle) helps even out humidity throughout the cellar.
• Faster responsiveness : With two humidification points, the cellar reaches the desired humidity level more quickly after each opening.
• Additional safety : If one humidifier fails, the second can take over temporarily.

How to position it correctly?

• If your main humidifier is on the bottom, place the second one on top or in the middle to cover the furthest areas.
• Choose passive humidifiers (like Boveda bags) for small cellars or a compact electronic humidifier with an integrated fan for large capacity cellars.

Precautions to take:

• Monitor humidity regularly to avoid over-humidification due to the addition of a second unit.
• Calibrate the hygrometer correctly to accurately track humidity changes at each level.

Conclusion

A difference of approximately 5% in relative humidity in a cigar humidor is normal and widely accepted by experts. However, it is always beneficial to take a few simple precautions to minimize these variations and ensure optimal preservation of your cigars.

By following the tips mentioned in this article, you will be able to fully enjoy your cigars while ensuring their perfect preservation.

Accepting natural variability in a cigar humidor is respecting the product . A humidor that "breathes" between 65% and 70% is healthy, balanced and perfectly functional .

🛑 Trying to stabilize at 70.0% at all costs is a counterproductive battle, which can lead to excessive corrections, unnecessary additions of humidifiers or worse: harmful excess humidity.

🎯 Trust your cellar (if it is of good quality), monitor it intelligently , and only intervene when the average deviates sustainably from the recommended values .