Question on storing cigars in cooler temperatures

[JCinPA]

I've had my Newair Wineador in the basement next to my actual wine for several years now. I never thought about the term "relative" humidity before for some reason. I should have, I mean I know what it is, I just never thought about it and kept it at 70% RH, but the temp is a pretty stable 61-62F, so that's too low.

I saw a chart recently that suggests you move your RH 5% in the opposite direction for every 5* temperature difference, e.g.; 65% at 75F, 60% at 80F, 75% at 65F, 80% at 60F. How reasonable is that as a guide?

Second question, are there any downsides to storing cigars at 62F and close to 80% RH? I'm hoping not much. I could always bring the wineador upstairs where it's always 68-73F -- except when the A/C heat exchanger needed replacing last summer. Or the blower in the furnace needed replacing this past winter. I'm kinda thinking really stable temperature of the basement with modified RF might be the way to leave things.

I don't see much on the Internet at storing cigars at temperatures much away from 70F, though. Which I find surprising.

Thanks!

 

[CBoukal]

There is a lot of guys here who are smarter and will answer this better. I will say there is ZERO chance I would store my cigars above 70%. I don't care what the temperature is.

@BlindedByScience is one of the smart people referenced above

 

[JCinPA]

Well, that makes sense in a normal temperature range, but at 60F 70% is not enough. They should slowly dry out. At 70F I prefer 65% RH myself. But I would like to know if storing them at 60F, yet very stable, is bad for them. I think probably not, just looking for someone to corroborate.

I wouldn't want to go lower than that, but the temperature stability in the basement is a good thing. I think.

 

[Rod]

Go much above 68F and you're risking mold. 80%? Good luck getting it to burn. The common RH for cigars is 70%, however many of us choose to keep our cigars a bit lower. I keep my humidors at around 65%-68%. My temp remains at a stable 73F-75F year-round.

I wouldn't put too much thought into this -- keep your cigars at around 68% and you can't go wrong. When you start getting into different types of cigars (like Cubans), you might consider an RH a bit lower, closer to 65F. That's what I've been doing for 20+ years, and have had no issues, only great tasting cigars.

However, @BlindedByScience is the RH expert and scientist around here. Can't go wrong with his advice.

 

[BlindedByScience]

Well, that makes sense in a normal temperature range, but at 60F 70% is not enough. They should slowly dry out. At 70F I prefer 65% RH myself. But I would like to know if storing them at 60F, yet very stable, is bad for them. I think probably not, just looking for someone to corroborate.

I'm hardly the expert in RH, but I've listened to enough guys that know more than me to pick up a couple things.

Nothing wrong with 60F storage at all. I'd not try to overthink the RH issue. We know that anything above ~70% encourages mold. We also know that anything less than ~60% will cause the cigars to dry out, crystallizing the oils out of the cigar and essentially ruining the experience. Cigars can be rehydrated, but you can't restore the oils in the tobacco, once it's crystallized out and been disturbed. Were it me with a very stable 60F storage environment, I'd happily store at that temperature and keep the RH is the ~65% area. Why..?? Because we know a smoke with this level of hydration at 60F will be much 'wetter' at higher temps. Which is why cigars stored in this type of environment would do well to spend a week or two in a desktop humidor at room temperature before smoking. I would not risk storing any smoke lower than 60% at any temperature, short of a freezer (which is something I've never done).

It's called 'relative' humidity because the amount of 'water' in the stick doesn't drastically go up or down with temperature, but the RH will. That doesn't change the amount of hydration in the stick, only the 'relative' humidity.

Short answer - no worries about 60F storage, keep the RH between 62-68%, and don't worry. As they say, one man's opinion......

 

[JCinPA]

A) Thank you to @BlindedByScience for helping me understand storing at a stable 60F won't hurt the cigars.

B) The rest of you (forgive me for being so blunt as a new member) simply do not understand the concept of RELATIVE humidity. As an accomplished cook, I understand the effects of moisture and temperature on vegetables very well. Cigars are similar. I also spent ten years on active duty in the Air Force and did a fair amount of flying time (not as a pilot, as crew). And I understand the concept of RH better than the posters in this thread because of that experience, as well. No need to keep it below 70% at 60F, absolutely none.

Those of you tied to 70% RH simply do not understand it. This video will help you do so.

That guy understands the science of relative humidity. However, since I preferred about 65% RH at 70F, I think I'll stick with 75% RH at 60F, not 80%.

I think I won't move the wineador upstairs, I like the temperature stability in the basement, and the fact it seals so well. I'm going with 75% RH.

Glad I calibrated my two hygrometers in the wineador yesterday. I think I'm good to go! Thanks!

 

[BlindedByScience]

I think I'll stick with 75% RH at 60F, not 80%.

....much too wet, IMHO. When a 75% / 60F stick warms up, the RH will be far too moist, and you may find mold even at the lower temperature. One man's opinion....

 

[JCinPA]

Ah, here you go.



Because I prefer 65% at 70F, I'll go with 75% in the basement wineador.

 

[JCinPA]

....much too wet, IMHO. When a 75% / 60F stick warms up, the RH will be far too moist, and you may find mold even at the lower temperature. One man's opinion....

I'm sorry. Not trying to be argumentative. But you need to watch that video. You really do. This comment makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. It's not "one man's opinion" and it's not YMMV.

The physical amount of moisture in the stick at 60F is a measurable amount of moisture. The stick is not going to be "way too moist" as it warms up. In fact, you're arguing for the opposite of what will happen. If the stick cools, it may have enough moisture to feel damp at lower temperatures. Definitely not as it warms up.

I'm also a firearms enthusiast. Take a gun from a humid environment to cooler temperatures, it will suffer condensation. Raise it's temperature it will be drier. That's the principle on which DriRods in gun safes work.

Thanks, folks! My question was not about RH, specifically, it was about the effects of long-term storage at 60F. I think it's probably fine, but as far as the Atlantic Cigar Company chart above, I think I'll go 5% less RH at all temperatures, since I like about 65% RH at 70F.

Before you come back with more thoughts on RH, ask yourself why they made that chart the way they did. And please watch the video.

 

[JCinPA]

And


And


You are all arguing the wrong direction. There's a pattern evolving here. The first one shows ridiculously high RH, IMO. But these all go the way I, and that video, are arguing.

 

[lucasbuck]

You can watch all the videos and look at all the charts you can find. Won’t change the fact that keeping your RH somewhere between 60-70% is the single most important factor regarding cigar maintenance. Regardless air temperature. Also highly recommended to keep temps below 70F although not absolutely necessary. So quote all the science and academics you like. Real world experience trumps all of that.

 

[Rod]

@JCinPA With all due respect, you’re challenging the expertise of seasoned cigar enthusiasts who have successfully stored cigars—ranging from desktop humidors to walk-in units—for decades. Many of these individuals maintain collections of rare, high-quality cigars, treating their humidors with the care of a curator. You’ve posed a fundamental question, and the community has responded with insights drawn from extensive experience.

I’m unclear on your intent in asking this question if you’ve already settled on 75% RH as your preference. It suggests you may not be fully open to the guidance offered.

While your culinary accomplishments are commendable, cigar storage is a different domain, and we’re well-versed in it. At 75% RH, the moisture content of your cigars reaches approximately 14-15%, a level conducive to mold growth regardless of temperature. By contrast, at 60°F and 70% RH, it’s around 12-13%, significantly reducing the risk. Humidity is the primary factor in mold development, far outweighing temperature.

You’re welcome to proceed with 75% RH. I’d encourage you to report back in a month or so with your observations on draw, flavor, burn quality, and any potential mold issues. That feedback would be valuable. Perhaps we've been doing it wrong all these years...

Thank you for raising this topic, I’ll personally opt to avoid purchasing from Atlantic Cigars.

 

[Johnny B]

I’m confused. Homeboy came here asking questions just to tell someone they’re wrong? Bro, why didn’t you just do your own research to begin with?

 

[Johnny B]

In your opinion, what’s best way to cook a steak? Reverse sear? Stove-top on cast iron? Green egg? Charcoal grill? Propane grill?









… you’re wrong. I’m just gonna cook them the way I want to anyway.

 

[BlindedByScience]

"...Because we know a smoke with this level of hydration at 60F will be much 'wetter' at higher temps....".

You're correct, that's backwards. A cigar stored at lower temps will display a lower RH when warmed up.

But everything else I said I'm sticking with. Under NO circumstances would I store lower than 60% nor higher than 70%. Which means a cigar stored at 60F / 68% will need some time at ambient temperature and proper humidity before smoking. Perhaps that's one reason cigars need to 'calm down' in your storage for a while after arriving from a vendor. Maybe.

You do what works for you and enjoy your smokes. As will I.

 

[whopper]

I’m confused. Homeboy came here asking questions just to tell someone they’re wrong? Bro, why didn’t you just do your own research to begin with?

Thought I was looking at Reddit or Discord for a minute there.

 

[whopper]

You can watch all the videos and look at all the charts you can find. Won’t change the fact that keeping your RH somewhere between 60-70% is the single most important factor regarding cigar maintenance. Regardless air temperature. Also highly recommended to keep temps below 70F although not absolutely necessary. So quote all the science and academics you like. Real world experience trumps all of that.

65F/70F with 65% beads for over 20 years now. Most of those years I didn’t even have a hygrometer. Never any problems for all those years. I think most people overthink it. I hope the new guy figures it out.

 

[CigarStone]

I'm sorry. Not trying to be argumentative. But you need to watch that video. You really do. This comment makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. It's not "one man's opinion" and it's not YMMV.

The physical amount of moisture in the stick at 60F is a measurable amount of moisture. The stick is not going to be "way too moist" as it warms up. In fact, you're arguing for the opposite of what will happen. If the stick cools, it may have enough moisture to feel damp at lower temperatures. Definitely not as it warms up.

I'm also a firearms enthusiast. Take a gun from a humid environment to cooler temperatures, it will suffer condensation. Raise it's temperature it will be drier. That's the principle on which DriRods in gun safes work.

Thanks, folks! My question was not about RH, specifically, it was about the effects of long-term storage at 60F. I think it's probably fine, but as far as the Atlantic Cigar Company chart above, I think I'll go 5% less RH at all temperatures, since I like about 65% RH at 70F.

Before you come back with more thoughts on RH, ask yourself why they made that chart the way they did. And please watch the video.

WOW! Is all I can say......................

ETA: Actually, I do have something else to say. If you exhibit the same mentality around firearms that you exhibit here, I sure as hell hope, for the safety of the world, you do it in a vacuum.

 

[JCinPA]

There is quite a bit of information on the Internet regarding changing if RH with temperature, actually, now that I’ve gone down this rabbit hole. Since I preferred 65% to begin with at 70F, I’ll stop at 75% at 60F, some of those chart numbers seem way too high.

I also think it’s better to err on the slightly less RH than slightly more RH side of the equation. I’m very confident 60-62F at 75% RH will be just fine. Maybe not necessary, but just fine. I’ll certainly report back in several months if I’m wrong, I’ve never been shy about admitting I’m wrong.

But the conversation here sounds very much like IT’S SETTLED SCIENCE! type ‘discussions’. I think it’s run its course. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Johnny B]

There is quite a bit of information on the Internet regarding changing if RH with temperature, actually, now that I’ve gone down this rabbit hole. Since I preferred 65% to begin with at 70F, I’ll stop at 75% at 60F, some of those chart numbers seem way too high.

I also think it’s better to err on the slightly less RH than slightly more RH side of the equation. I’m very confident 60-62F at 75% RH will be just fine. Maybe not necessary, but just fine. I’ll certainly report back in several months if I’m wrong, I’ve never been shy about admitting I’m wrong.

But the conversation here sounds very much like IT’S SETTLED SCIENCE! type ‘discussions’. I think it’s run its course. Thanks for the replies.

I can’t speak for everyone. My perception is that while you have experience in tobacco smoking, you’re a new member and you asked a genuinely good question.

Then one of our highly esteemed members, (someone who I personally hold in high regard) who typically only gives recommendations if he has extensive experience in or has done extensive research in, shares his OPINION based on his findings. Unless I misread responses, I didn’t see anyone say there’s only one way to store cigars. Hardly making it a “settled science.”

Doing your own research is recommended and I’m glad you were able to find the answers you were looking for. My recommendation would be to research first and then ask around to try to confirm your findings, or share your findings in a way that isn’t so argumentative. It’s extremely off-putting and doesn’t help build trust.

If you stick around and read more than you post for a while, there’s a great chance that you’ll learn a lot and come to see that we’re a good family to be a part of. One that you’d feel compelled to defend, if needed.