how to keep stored our cigars

[Eddie]

are you sure that the hygrometer is measuring the humidity of the inside of the box? I have a feeling it is measuring the room and it may just be a remote thermometer.

Hard to tell from the pics though.

[Agricola]

Trig,

As others have said if you're gonna invest in those fine smokes it makes no sense to put them in a substandard humidor with a substandard humidification method (no offence intended).
My advice is to buy some humidification beads and a tupperware box, use some de-ionised or distilled water in the beads and put your sticks inside. I use lock and lock containers and you can purchase some beads from c.gars ltd.

Honestly those cigars deserve better than that set up. It's like when you see a stunning young lady walking arm in arm with some scruffy obese guy! If you want to get the most out of your sticks get them out of that box asap!

[trigo0]

I've a few questions regarding your set up.
When you say it's a home-made humi.. do you know what kind of wood it's made out of*?
Is not cedar wood

Ideally, you should be using Spanish cedar, for several reasons: i.e. Aroma.. maintenance of humidity.. and also because it's repellant to the tobacco weavil
I know but I'm living in uk now and is not easy to find it hehehe

Your humidification device is a mould risk.. you need to be looking into crystals or beads, etc.
So what exactly you recommend me to get a high level of humidity ??

You're right about the box needing to be hermetically sealed, the gap shown in the picture won't be helping.
Did you season it.. salt test it etc?
Do you recommend me to change it for a plastic Tupperware, which is going to be more hermetically?

Also, I'm sorry to say that the cigars with the holes in are a strong indicator that you've got a weavil infestation.
It's not the end of the world.. but you'll need to freeze ALL your cigars to kill it off.
How can I freeze all cigars??

Lastly, (without wishing to upset you) if I could offer an observation.. the cigars you've invested in are good ones (and not cheap).. it would be a pity not to enjoy them at their best.
yes, the cigars are good, I've got a family in La Habana, one of then works in the cigars factory and gets me very good price.

LOADS of excellent info on this forum, have a read of some of the great posts regarding humidification and humidors in general.
Believe me, I've been reading a hundreds of posts, but I just need some advise to get the best humidor box, I'll get a proper one on my next visit to La Habana

Thanks a lot for your help again, by the way, anyone knows any smoking club close to North West.

[Eddie]

First up: Get them in a sealed box... just get a lock and lock box from asda. Put some heart felt beads in (http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/) I'd sugest 65%. And get an electric hygrometer, cos I still feel that the one you have records the box temp and the room humidity.

Where in the north west are you?

[Eddie]

First up: Get them in a sealed box... just get a lock and lock box from asda. Put some heart felt beads in (http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/) I'd sugest 65%. And get an electric hygrometer, cos I still feel that the one you have records the box temp and the room humidity.

There are full explanations on freezing cigars on this forum.

Where in the north west are you?

[Zigatoh]

Lastly, (without wishing to upset you) if I could offer an observation.. the cigars you've invested in are good ones (and not cheap).. it would be a pity not to enjoy them at their best.
yes, the cigars are good, I've got a family in La Habana, one of then works in the cigars factory and gets me very good price.

Which could explain why the beetles, and in the second picture do those cohibas in the middle have two rows of squares above the word cohiba rather than the usual three? Also in the third picture it looks oddly like there are squares Between the word Cohiba and the gold bar above? Could just be the pictures but looks odd/off to me...

Other than that I'd be worried about what looks like a damp patch in the middle, visible on pics 1 and 2, and it even looks like you have standing water in the plastic tub with the sponge, which would not be good, if you have to use a 'sponge' of any sort get that green oasis foam stuff, and use a humidifier mix of propylene glycol and water to attempt to avoid it going moldy...

Again, all just what I can see from those pics so may be wrong.

[El Catador]

I've a few questions regarding your set up.
When you say it's a home-made humi.. do you know what kind of wood it's made out of*?
Is not cedar wood

I thought not.

Ideally, you should be using Spanish cedar, for several reasons: i.e. Aroma.. maintenance of humidity.. and also because it's repellant to the tobacco weavil
I know but I'm living in uk now and is not easy to find it hehehe

The wood..? Yes.. The boxes..? No.
Type the word "HUMIDOR" into 'Google' (assuming they have that where you live?).. there are hundreds of suppliers in the UK (Inc. the forum sponsor).

Your humidification device is a mould risk.. you need to be looking into crystals or beads, etc.
So what exactly you recommend me to get a high level of humidity ??

Err.. "you need to be looking into crystals or beads etc"

You're right about the box needing to be hermetically sealed, the gap shown in the picture won't be helping.
Did you season it.. salt test it etc?
Do you recommend me to change it for a plastic Tupperware, which is going to be more hermetically?

In your case.. yes..

Also, I'm sorry to say that the cigars with the holes in are a strong indicator that you've got a weavil infestation.
It's not the end of the world.. but you'll need to freeze ALL your cigars to kill it off.
How can I freeze all cigars??

it's a very difficult technical procedure.. requiring heavy investment in expensive scientific apparatus:
A 'zip-lock' bag and.. (surprisingly).. a freezer).

Actually, given your obvious apathy.. I'd recommend you don't bother.. if anyone comments on the holes in your cigars.. just tell them they're 'ventilation aids'.. to help them smoke faster.

Lastly, (without wishing to upset you) if I could offer an observation.. the cigars you've invested in are good ones (and not cheap).. it would be a pity not to enjoy them at their best.
yes, the cigars are good, I've got a family in La Habana, one of then works in the cigars factory and gets me very good price.

Excellent. There is always a high demand in here for Cohibas in glass topped boxes.. You'll need to 'up' your post count a bit.. 50 is the minimum before you can start selling them.

LOADS of excellent info on this forum, have a read of some of the great posts regarding humidification and humidors in general.
Believe me, I've been reading a hundreds of posts, but I just need some advise to get the best humidor box, I'll get a proper one on my next visit to La Habana

Err.. why would you go all the way to Cuba for a humidor?
(Don't they have 'ebay' up t'North?)

Thanks a lot for your help again, by the way, anyone knows any smoking club close to North West.

No, sadly not.
The local authorities in Tyneside have banned all cigar smoking from public and private venues..
Apparently, just the the sight of a well endowed cigar.. is reported to enflame the passions of the local 'lassies' into an uncontrolable sexual frenzy.
(Or maybe that's just me?)

Also.. it makes the 'broon ale' taste funny

P.S. You're welcome

[Smallclub]

yes, the cigars are good, I've got a family in La Habana, one of then works in the cigars factory and gets me very good price.

Then the cigars are fake. I've heard the "best friend/family member who works in a cigar factory" story about a hundred times; each time the cigars were proven fake.
End of story. Problem solved.

[Bigboned]

Alas the thread started so well..... Then the age old story came into play

[spirit_of_will]

Alas the thread started so well..... Then the age old story came into play

You do start to wonder why the people telling this same old story haven't heard it themselves countless times...

[peanutpete]

cat will you please stop sitting on the fence and tell us what you really think

[monkey66]

Fake cigars, poorly stored and full of weavles. Sorry dude not the best start.

[gmacz]

On the positive side, it is all uphill from there

[trigo0]

Hi guys,

El Catador thanks for your advice, I won't go to Cuba just for a humidor, I said I'll try to get one & more cigars on my next visit, hopefully soon.

Eddie, I'm living in Liverpool, thanks, I'll get a hermetically plastic Tupperware and try to get more humidity.


To be honest, I'm not enough "professional" to ensure that the cigars are fake only watching a picture, but I can say that I smoked fake cigars in Cuba and I threw away on the first hit, so I think my taste is still ok to difference between fake or not, but thanks for your comment anyway.

Regards

[Zigatoh]

yeh cos there's only bad fakes in cuba... Sorry but don't bring out the 'family in havana who get me cheap cigars' tale and then follow it up with attitude, that way lies flaming...