After a long, hard day at work, he sits in front of the fireplace. Humidor in hand, he savors the woodsy aroma, anticipating that long-awaited cigar. As he carefully lights it, all his stress and worries melt away. For just a minute, life is care-free, life is good.

As any cigar aficionado knows, for best possible taste cigars must be properly stored. Improperly stored cigars can suffer from bitter taste, mold, uneven burn, lighting problems, and tobacco beetle infestation, among other things. A humidor is a box, room, or case specially designed to keep cigars at optimum taste and freshness. An effective humidor should keep cigars at a temperature of 68 to 70 degrees and a humidity of 68 to 74 percent. A cigar that is too wet will have a sour, unpleasant flavor. A cigar that is overly dry will burn too quickly and taste acrid. A cigar humidifier helps ensure that the humidity level in the humidor is at the correct level. Some humidors come equipped with a cigar humidifier; some are sold separately.

Cigar humidifiers can also be used in cigar rooms, display cases, and large armoires. They are available in a variety of sizes depending on the size of the humidor and the amount of cigars being stored. They work by sending a cool mist into the air. Cigar humidifiers are generally cool mist models. They have a holding tank filled with water. A wick draws the water out. Then a fan blows it into the air where it will evaporate. To avoid the possibility of mold growth in the humidifier, use distilled water. Do not use spring water as it can contribute to a build-up of minerals. Generally, water will need to be added about once a month.

With a cigar humidifier set at the right humidity and an effective humidor, cigars can stay fresh-tasting indefinitely.