Montecristo No. 4 Box of 10
£286.00 £28.60 a cigar
How to season a humidor
The short version
How to season a humidor
Season a wooden humidor by placing Boveda 84% seasoning packs inside for 14 days without opening the lid. Dry Spanish cedar absorbs moisture voraciously; if you place cigars in an unseasoned humidor, the wood will pull moisture directly out of your cigars until they dry out.
The main points
- Seasoning takes 14 days — never rush it with wet sponges or direct water wipes
- Use one Boveda 84% pack per 25 cigars of humidor capacity
- Wiping cedar with water raises the grain and risks permanent wood warping
- Re-season your humidor once a year, preferably before the winter heating season
Why Spanish cedar must be seasoned before use
Spanish cedar is the gold standard for humidor construction because of its aromatic resistance to tobacco beetles and its ability to buffer humidity swings. However, freshly manufactured kiln-dried cedar is thirsty wood.
If you load 25 cigars into a dry, brand-new humidor, the wood will draw moisture straight out of the cigars like a desiccant. Within 48 hours your cigars will be ruined. Seasoning saturates the cellular structure of the wood with moisture first.
Why wiping down cedar with water is a mistake
Traditional instructions often advised wiping the interior cedar with distilled water on a cloth. Tobacconists strongly advise against this. Spanish cedar is a porous softwood that expands rapidly when exposed to liquid water.
Wiping causes wood grain to lift, creating a rough texture. More seriously, it swells the timber unevenly, twisting the frame and permanently breaking the airtight seal of the lid lip. Once the seal is warped, the humidor will leak humidity forever.
The safe 14-day Boveda 84% method
1. Empty the humidor completely (remove all cigars and accessories).
2. Place one Boveda 84% seasoning pack for every 25 cigars of total box capacity inside.
3. Close the lid and leave it completely shut for 14 full days in a temperate room. Do not open it to check.
4. On day 14, remove the 84% packs, insert your calibrated hygrometer and your regular 65% or 69% maintenance packs, and transfer your cigars in.
Recommended from our humidor
Duty-paid, kept at 68% humidity, and sent with a free Boveda pack.
Follow-ups
Related questions
The variations of this question people search for most.
How long does it take to season a humidor?
Exactly 14 days using Boveda 84% packs. Do not open the box during this period, as opening vents the saturated humidity and interrupts the wood absorption equilibrium.
Can you season a humidor with cigars inside?
Never. The 84% seasoning packs create an environment far too humid for cigars, which would trigger mould within days. Cigars must be kept in a temporary zip-lock bag with a 69% pack while the humidor is seasoning.
Do acrylic or plastic travel humidors need seasoning?
No. Acrylic, metal, and plastic containers do not contain wood and therefore cannot absorb moisture. They only require a quick wipe with a clean dry cloth before adding your 65% or 69% maintenance packs.
How often should you re-season a humidor?
Once a year, ideally in autumn before domestic central heating is switched on for the British winter. If your humidor struggles to hold 65% RH even with fresh packs, it needs re-seasoning.