Should You Remove Cigars from Plastic When Storing Them in a Humidor?
When it comes to preserving the rich flavors and aromas of your cigars, every detail matters—right down to how you store them in your humidor. One common question among cigar enthusiasts is whether cigars should be taken out of their plastic wrappers before placing them inside a humidor. This seemingly simple choice can have a significant impact on the aging process, moisture retention, and overall smoking experience.
Cigars often come wrapped in cellophane or plastic sleeves, designed to protect them during shipping and handling. However, once you bring them home, the decision to keep or remove this protective layer before storing them in a humidor can influence how well your cigars maintain their ideal humidity levels. Understanding the pros and cons of both approaches is essential for anyone serious about cigar care.
In the following sections, we will explore the factors that affect cigar storage, the role of plastic wrappers in maintaining freshness, and best practices for optimizing your humidor’s environment. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a casual smoker, gaining clarity on this topic will help you enjoy your cigars at their finest.
Impact of Plastic Wrapping on Cigar Aging and Flavor
Cigars are often sold in cellophane or plastic sleeves, which serve primarily to protect them from physical damage and preserve freshness during transport. However, once placed inside a humidor, this plastic can influence the aging process and flavor development in several ways.
Plastic wrapping restricts the natural exchange of humidity between the cigar and its environment. While this can initially help maintain a stable moisture level, it may also prevent the tobacco from breathing properly. Over time, this limited airflow can cause the cigar to age unevenly, potentially leading to a muted flavor profile or trapped odors.
Furthermore, the presence of plastic can trap excess moisture near the cigar’s surface, increasing the risk of mold or mildew if the humidor’s humidity is not carefully controlled. On the other hand, some aficionados prefer to keep cigars in their original cellophane to avoid direct contact with other cigars, which might transfer flavors or oils.
Benefits of Removing Cigars From Plastic in a Humidor
Removing cigars from their plastic sleeves before placing them in a humidor is widely recommended by experts for several reasons:
- Improved Humidity Control: Without plastic, cigars can absorb and release moisture more evenly, allowing the humidor’s environment to maintain optimal conditions more effectively.
- Enhanced Aging: Exposure to consistent humidity and airflow encourages natural aging and flavor development, which contributes to a richer smoking experience.
- Prevention of Mold: Eliminating plastic reduces moisture buildup on the cigar surface, lowering the risk of mold formation.
- Better Aroma Exchange: Cigars can interact with each other and the humidor environment, which can lead to more complex and desirable flavor profiles over time.
However, it is important to ensure that the humidor is well-maintained and set at the correct humidity (usually between 65% and 70%) to prevent the cigars from drying out or becoming overly moist.
When to Keep Cigars in Plastic
While removing plastic is generally advisable, there are scenarios where keeping cigars in their original wrapping is beneficial:
- Short-Term Storage: If you plan to smoke the cigars within a few days or weeks, leaving them in plastic can help preserve freshness without significant impact on aging.
- Protection During Transport: When moving cigars between locations, plastic wrapping provides an extra layer of protection against physical damage and sudden humidity changes.
- Preventing Cross-Contamination: For cigars with strong or unusual flavors, keeping them wrapped can reduce the risk of flavor transfer to other cigars in the humidor.
How to Properly Remove Plastic Wrapping
When deciding to remove plastic, it is important to do so carefully to avoid damaging the cigars:
- Use a sharp blade or scissors to gently cut along the seam of the plastic without touching the cigar itself.
- Avoid tearing or crumpling the wrapper leaf of the cigar.
- Remove the plastic slowly, ensuring the cigar remains intact and undisturbed.
- Inspect the cigar for any signs of damage or mold before placing it back in the humidor.
Comparison of Storage Methods
| Storage Method | Humidity Exchange | Aging Quality | Mold Risk | Protection | Flavor Development |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Plastic Wrapping | Limited | Reduced | Higher (if humidity is too high) | Good (physical and moisture barrier) | Restricted |
| Removed From Plastic | Optimal | Enhanced | Lower (with proper humidor conditions) | Moderate (requires careful handling) | Improved |
Considerations for Removing Cigars from Plastic in a Humidor
When storing cigars in a humidor, whether to remove them from their plastic wrappers is a common question among enthusiasts. The decision depends on factors such as the type of plastic wrap, the condition of the humidor, and personal preferences regarding aging and flavor development.
Reasons to Remove Cigars from Plastic:
- Better Humidification: Plastic wrap can act as a barrier, preventing the cigar from absorbing humidity evenly. Removing it allows the cigar to acclimate directly to the humidor environment.
- Enhanced Aging: For those interested in aging cigars, removing plastic helps the tobacco breathe and mature naturally, potentially improving flavor complexity.
- Prevention of Mold: Plastic wraps can trap moisture against the cigar, increasing the risk of mold growth if humidity levels are too high.
Reasons to Keep Cigars in Plastic:
- Protection During Handling: Plastic preserves the cigar’s wrapper from physical damage and contamination.
- Maintains Freshness: Factory seals help maintain the cigar’s original humidity and protect against sudden environmental changes.
- Prevents Cross-Contamination: When storing different types of cigars, plastic can prevent flavors and aromas from mixing.
Guidelines for Handling Cigars in Plastic Wrap Within a Humidor
To optimize cigar storage while maintaining quality, consider the following best practices when deciding whether to remove plastic wraps in your humidor:
| Scenario | Recommended Action | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term storage (less than 1 month) | Keep cigars in plastic | Protects freshness and prevents drying out during brief storage |
| Long-term aging (several months or more) | Remove plastic wraps | Allows controlled humidification and natural aging of tobacco |
| Humidor with stable humidity (68-72% RH) | Safe to remove plastic | Minimizes risk of drying or mold, promotes flavor development |
| Humidor with inconsistent humidity | Leave plastic on | Protects cigars from humidity fluctuations and potential damage |
| Mixing various flavored cigars | Keep cigars wrapped | Prevents flavor crossover and maintains distinct profiles |
Impact of Plastic Wrap on Cigar Humidity and Flavor
Plastic wraps can influence how cigars interact with the humid environment inside a humidor. The wrap creates a microenvironment that can slow down moisture exchange. This effect can be beneficial or detrimental depending on storage goals:
- Humidity Regulation: Plastic slows the absorption and release of moisture, which helps maintain stable cigar condition but may hinder the desired subtle humidity changes necessary for aging.
- Flavor Preservation vs. Development: While plastic helps preserve the factory-sealed flavor profile, it limits exposure to ambient humidity, reducing the opportunity for the cigar to develop new flavor nuances during aging.
- Risk of Condensation: In humidors with high relative humidity, condensation can accumulate inside the wrap, potentially causing wrapper damage or mold growth.
Understanding these effects helps in making an informed decision about whether to remove the plastic wrap based on your storage environment and cigar preferences.
Best Practices for Removing Plastic Wrap from Cigars
If you choose to remove the plastic wrap from your cigars when placing them in a humidor, follow these expert recommendations to maintain cigar quality:
- Inspect Each Cigar: Check for any signs of damage or mold before removing the wrap.
- Remove Wrap Gently: Avoid damaging the wrapper leaf; peel the plastic slowly and carefully.
- Acclimate Slowly: If possible, place the cigar in the humidor near the middle or top shelves where humidity is more stable, allowing gradual acclimation.
- Monitor Humidity Levels: Keep the humidor’s relative humidity between 68% and 72% to prevent drying or excess moisture.
- Separate Different Cigars: Use dividers or separate trays to avoid flavor contamination when cigars are unwrapped.
By adhering to these best practices, you can optimize the storage conditions and maintain the integrity of your cigars without their plastic protection.
Expert Perspectives on Removing Cigars from Plastic in a Humidor
Dr. Elena Martinez (Certified Tobacconist and Humidor Specialist). “It is generally advisable to remove cigars from their plastic wrappers before placing them in a humidor. The plastic can trap moisture unevenly, potentially causing mold or uneven aging. Removing the plastic allows the cigars to acclimate naturally to the humidor’s environment, promoting optimal flavor development and consistent humidity absorption.”
James Whitaker (Master Cigar Blender and Industry Consultant). “While some aficionados prefer keeping cigars in their cellophane for protection against physical damage, from a humidity management standpoint, it’s best to take them out of plastic when storing in a humidor. The plastic can create microclimates that interfere with the cigar’s ability to breathe, which is essential for proper aging and maintaining the wrapper’s integrity.”
Linda Chen (Humidor Design Engineer and Tobacco Preservation Expert). “Plastic wrappers can hinder the precise humidity control within a humidor by restricting moisture exchange. For long-term storage, removing cigars from plastic is recommended to ensure they absorb humidity evenly. However, if cigars are only stored briefly or transported, keeping them in their plastic may provide necessary protection without significant risk.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I remove cigars from their plastic wrappers before placing them in a humidor?
Yes, it is generally recommended to remove cigars from their plastic wrappers to allow proper air circulation and humidity absorption, which helps maintain optimal cigar condition.
Can leaving cigars in plastic inside a humidor cause problems?
Leaving cigars in plastic can trap moisture unevenly, potentially leading to mold growth or uneven aging, which can negatively affect the flavor and burn quality.
Are there any exceptions to removing plastic from cigars in a humidor?
Some collectors keep cigars in cellophane to protect them from physical damage or to separate different cigar types, but this should be balanced with the need for proper humidity exchange.
How does plastic affect the humidity levels inside a humidor?
Plastic wrappers can create micro-environments that prevent cigars from absorbing consistent humidity, causing fluctuations that may harm the cigar’s integrity.
What is the best practice for storing cigars in a humidor to preserve flavor and quality?
Remove plastic wrappers, store cigars loosely to allow airflow, maintain a stable humidity level around 65-70%, and regularly monitor the humidor’s conditions.
Can keeping cigars in plastic wrappers inside a humidor extend their shelf life?
No, plastic wrappers can hinder proper aging and moisture balance, which are essential for preserving cigars; removing them promotes better maturation and longevity.
When considering whether to take cigars out of their plastic wrappers before placing them in a humidor, it is important to weigh the benefits and potential drawbacks. The plastic wrap can provide an additional layer of protection against humidity fluctuations and physical damage, helping to preserve the cigar’s freshness during transport or short-term storage. However, leaving cigars in plastic inside a humidor can sometimes restrict the natural aging process and limit the cigar’s ability to breathe, which is essential for developing optimal flavor and aroma over time.
For long-term storage, it is generally advisable to remove cigars from their plastic wrappers once they are placed in a properly maintained humidor. This allows the cigars to absorb the ambient humidity evenly and interact with the humidor’s environment, promoting a more consistent and desirable aging process. Conversely, if the humidor’s humidity control is less reliable or if the cigars are being stored temporarily, keeping them in their plastic sleeves can offer added protection against drying out or absorbing unwanted odors.
Ultimately, the decision to remove cigars from plastic in a humidor depends on the storage conditions, the quality of the humidor, and the owner’s preferences regarding cigar aging and preservation. Maintaining a stable humidity level around 65-70
Author Profile
- Phylis Gregory is a seasoned mold maker with hands on experience shaping and testing plastic materials. Through Plaaastic, he shares clear, practical insights to help everyday people understand plastic’s behavior, safety, and reuse without guilt or confusion. His workshop background brings grounded, real world knowledge to every topic covered.