How to Store Cigars in Summer
Intro
Summer’s rising temperatures pose a hidden threat to your cigars—warmer air increases humidity, which can promote mold and tobacco beetles if storage isn't well controlled. For beginners looking for reliable, low-maintenance solutions, the key is choosing a humidor that keeps temperature and humidity stable all season long.
📍 In hot, dry areas like Western and Southern Oklahoma, a cooling humidor isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential.
Why Beginners Should Choose a Cooling Humidor
1. Temperature control matters: Ideal cigar storage sits at around 65–70°F. When HVAC systems struggle in the summer, a thermoelectric cooler helps avoid overheating.
2. Protects against beetle infestations: Keeping temps below 75°F prevents tobacco beetle eggs from hatching—a serious risk in hot weather.
3. Reduces seasonal maintenance: Cooling humidors lessen the need for constant lid opening or swapping humidification packs as RH fluctuates.
Top Tips for Summer Cigar Care
1. Monitor Temp & RH weekly
Use a digital hygrometer to check that humidity stays between 65–72% and temperature below 70°F.
2. Avoid heat sources
Keep humidors away from sunlight, vents, or appliances that push temperatures higher.
3. Rotate cigars monthly
If you're using humidity packs inside your cooling humidor, rotating cigars helps prevent uneven RH exposure, especially in summer.
How to rotate cigars properly:
① Move cigars from top shelves to bottom shelves, and vice versa.
② Shift cigars from the front to the back of the humidor (areas near the door can fluctuate more).
③ Flip cigars end-to-end to help each part receive consistent moisture.
④ Check for signs of dryness, cracks, or soft spots as you go.
For beginners learning how to store cigars properly in summer, this is one of the easiest habits to build. Experts recommend doing it once a month during warm seasons when RH can shift more noticeably.
Refresh Humidity Packs Before Summer Starts
Unlike traditional wooden humidors that require seasoning, cooling cigar cabinets typically have metal or plastic interiors and don’t need seasoning. However, since not all market models doesn’t include built-in humidity control, you’ll need to maintain ideal humidity manually using humidity packs like Boveda 69% or 72%.
Before summer temperatures rise, it’s important to:
① Check and replace any dry or expired humidity packs.
② Use a digital hygrometer to verify RH is holding between 65–72%.
③ Avoid overloading the cabinet, which can block airflow and lead to uneven humidification.
④ Make sure the cabinet door seals tightly to prevent RH loss.
Before summer, empty and clean your humidor, re-season with distilled water or packs to optimize performance.
Beginner-Friendly Pick: Needone 23L Cooling Cigar Cabinet
For newcomers, the Needone 23L Cooling Cigar Cabinet hits the sweet spot:
1. Thermoelectric cooling keeps temps 64–78°F without heating—ideal for warm climates.
2. Spanish cedar shelves & tray support humidity naturally—critical in summer’s moisture surge.
3. Holds up to 150 cigars—perfect capacity for beginners.
4. Quiet operation (<38 dB) for bedrooms or home offices.
Customers praise its setup ease, value, and ability to maintain summer temp/humidity:
“Easy to set up… keeps humidity very easily!”
2025 Summer Humidor Summary for Beginners
1. Choose a cooling humidor for stable summer storage.
2. Maintain 65–72% RH & <70 °F throughout the season.
3. Rotate and re-season cigars before heavy use.
4. Use a Spanish cedar-lined, temperature-controlled cabinet like the Needone 23L Cooling Electronic Cabinet.
5. Ideal for hot, dry U.S. regions like Western and Southern Oklahoma and the Southwest.
With these steps, you can enjoy well-preserved cigars all summer—no mold, no beetles, just smooth draws and rich aromas.
