Remove box tops from coolador boxes?

[SkyKing]

I store sticks in in closed cigar boxes in coolador with good results thus far. But should I take off tops as some advise for more even conditioning. Thanks.

 

[Backslide]

Short answer: No Long answer: Nada

 

[Gavin]

Nope. The closed lids create little microclimates inside meaning the temperature and humidity inside won't fluctuate as quickly. Stability = Good.

 

[SkyKing]

Thanks. That makes sense.

 

[wkoti]

When I'm aging boxes, I keep them intact, exactly how they came, except for the times I open them for inspection. After doing that inspection, if the cigars appear to be dry, I open the box top to allow for air circulation, so the box and cigars to regain their integrity and moisture quicker. It will take much longer to rehumidify the cigars if the box is closed. If the cigars are really dry, it could take weeks or months for the humidity to rehydrate the box and seep inside to the cigars, where it has to then raise the humidity of the cigars themselves. But if you plan on sitting on a box for 2 years, not necessary. If you want to smoke from the box soon, crack the lid open.

 

[SkyKing]

I'm not aging per se; I pull sticks to smoke regularly.

To clarify, if the smokes are in good shape; you leave the box closed.

 

[wkoti]

If the cigars are in good shape and just sitting in my humidor waiting to be smoked, I leave it closed. Plus I can stack if the lid is on and closed.

It works both ways, if the cigars are at optimal conditions in a closed box, the humidity and temperature don't vary as much.

 

[slevy007]

Yeah, i would hav to agree.. if the smokes are in giod shape, closed is probably fine.. but if you are trying to get the sticks to an ideal state, leaving the lid at least cracked is a nice gentle way to activate them.. although with cello i probably would be more inclined to fully open them for a while..