How to Keep Your Cigars Fresh in the UK Climate
Cigar Storage 101 — How to Keep Your Cigars Fresh in the UK Climate
If you’ve invested in premium cigars, keeping them fresh is essential. The UK’s variable weather — from damp winters to dry summers — can quickly ruin your collection if not stored correctly. Whether you own a handful of cigars or a full box of Cubans, this guide will show you how to store cigars properly, choose the right humidor, and maintain the perfect humidity for long-lasting flavour.
🌡️ Why Proper Storage Matters
Cigars are crafted from natural tobacco leaves that continue to age and breathe over time. Without proper storage, they can dry out, crack, or lose flavour. In the UK, fluctuating weather conditions — damp winters and dry indoor heating — make cigar preservation especially challenging.
Maintaining consistent humidity and temperature ensures your cigars stay smooth, aromatic, and flavourful, just as the master rollers intended.
💧 Understanding Humidity & Temperature for Cigars
Cigars thrive in environments similar to their tropical origins. The ideal storage conditions are:
- Humidity: 65–72%
- Temperature: 18–21°C (64–70°F)
Too much humidity can cause mould and swelling, while too little dries the cigars out, leading to cracking and harsh flavours. Using a hygrometer helps monitor these levels and maintain balance year-round.
🪵 Types of Humidors — Travel, Desktop & Cabinet
Choosing the right humidor depends on how many cigars you keep:
- Travel Humidors – Compact and portable, ideal for a few cigars when on the go.
- Desktop Humidors – Stylish boxes that store 25–100 cigars, perfect for home or office use.
- Cabinet Humidors – Large, furniture-style units that can hold hundreds of cigars for serious collectors.
Each type is lined with Spanish cedar, a wood that helps regulate moisture and enhances aroma.
🔋 How to Season a New Humidor
- Wipe the interior gently with a slightly damp sponge using distilled water.
- Place a small dish of distilled water or a humidification pack inside.
- Close the lid and leave it for 24–48 hours.
- Check with a hygrometer — once it reads around 70% humidity, you’re ready to store your cigars.
Seasoning ensures the cedar wood doesn’t absorb moisture from your cigars later on.
💨 Maintaining Ideal Humidity (65–72%)
After seasoning, your main goal is to keep humidity consistent. You can achieve this using:
- Humidification packs (like Boveda or Integra) for easy regulation.
- Digital hygrometers for precise readings.
- Distilled water or propylene glycol solution for manual systems.
Check levels weekly and refill your humidifier when necessary.
🧴 Best Cigar Storage Accessories in the UK
To keep your cigars in top condition, invest in:
- Quality humidor boxes (cedar-lined)
- Digital hygrometers & thermometers
- Humidification packs or beads
- Cigar cases for travel
- Cigar scissors or cutters to avoid damaging the cap
At BuyPremiumCigars.co.uk, you’ll find a curated selection of humidors, accessories, and storage tools ideal for the UK climate.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid (Too Dry or Too Damp)
- 🚫 Too Dry: Cigars burn too fast, lose flavour, and become brittle.
- 🚫 Too Damp: Cigars may swell, draw poorly, or develop mould.
If your cigars ever feel spongy or dry, slowly adjust humidity rather than making sudden changes. Stability is key.
🔸 Final Thoughts
Proper cigar storage is more than just keeping cigars in a box — it’s about protecting craftsmanship and flavour. Whether you’re a casual smoker or collector, maintaining the right humidity and temperature will make every cigar as enjoyable as the day you bought it.
👉 Browse our full range of cigar humidors and accessories designed to keep your cigars in perfect condition — only at BuyPremiumCigars.co.uk.