No Humidor?

If you don’t have a humidor, the absolute worst thing you can do is just leave your cigars sitting out on a counter or table. In standard air conditioning, premium cigars will dry out, crack, and lose their essential oils within just a few days. Fortunately, you can easily build a temporary Tupperdor or a Ziploc humidor using things you likely already have around the house. Here are the three best ways to store them safely.

1. The “Tupperdor” Method (Best Long-Term Option) An airtight plastic storage container is actually an incredible substitute for a wood humidor because it creates a perfect seal.

• What to use: A clean Tupperware, Rubbermaid, or Glad container. A container with a rubber gasket and locking clips (like a Sistema container) is ideal.

• The Setup: Wash it thoroughly with warm water and soap to remove any “plastic” smell, and let it dry completely. Place your cigars inside.

• The Humidity: To keep them fresh, you need a humidity source. The gold standard is a Boveda pack (65% or 69% relative humidity), which you can buy for a few dollars at any local cigar shop. If you don’t have one, see the temporary humidity options below.

2. The Heavy-Duty Ziploc Bag (Best Quick Fix) If you just bought a few sticks and need to protect them right now, a standard freezer bag works perfectly for a couple of weeks. What to use: A heavy-duty, gallon-sized Ziploc bag (thicker plastic holds humidity much better than thin sandwich bags).

• The Setup: Place the cigars inside. If they came in cellophane wrappers, leave the cellophane on—it acts as an extra layer of protection against sudden humidity swings.

3. What to Use for Humidity (If you don’t have a Boveda pack) If you can’t run to a cigar shop to grab a proper humidity pack, you can make a temporary makeshift humidifier:

The Damp Sponge Method: Take a brand-new, clean sponge (completely free of soap or anti-microbial chemicals). Cut a small 1-inch square piece. Dampen it with distilled water or bottled water—do not use tap water, as it can introduce mold. Wring it out completely so it is just barely damp, not dripping.

The Barrier: Place the damp sponge piece inside a small, open plastic snack baggie *inside* your main container. Never let the wet sponge directly touch the cigars, or the tobacco will mold and ruin.

Critical Rules for Temporary Storage.
1. Store them in the dark: Keep your container or bag inside a dark closet, drawer, or cabinet. Never leave it on a counter where sunlight can hit it; a plastic bag or container will act like a greenhouse, heating up and baking the cigars.

2. Keep it cool: Try to keep the storage area around room temperature (ideally 65°F to 70°F). High heat combined with humidity will hatch microscopic tobacco beetle eggs that naturally live in raw tobacco leaves.

3. Burp the container: If you are using a Tupperware container, open the lid once a week for about 60 seconds to let fresh oxygen in and release any built-up ammonia gasses.

An airtight plastic container with a tiny piece of damp sponge can easily keep your cigars in perfect smoking condition for several weeks until you can get a proper setup!