We were all newbies at one point and like any new hobby it’s a lot of fun getting into all the toys and gadgets that go along with it.  Cigars are no different.  Just trying to tackle all the different brands, blends and sizes to find what you like can be overwhelming – but that’s just the beginning.  There are a ton of different accessories from humidors, cutters, lighters, humidification devices and more.

There is a lot of trial and error and a lot of money spent while trying to find the accessories that work for you.  Here are a few tips and things I’ve learned over the years that might help save a little money in the long run.

The Humidor I Would Avoid

A humidor is definitely one of the first things that come to mind when you just get into cigars.  You need a place to keep your cigars stored properly.

pro tip: whatever you do, don’t put cigars in the fridge – it definitely won’t keep them “fresh” and will dry them out.

There are a ton of options for humidors, different sizes, woods used and types from desktop, cabinet, travel and more.  However, a big investment isn’t required in the beginning.  Heck – an actual humidor isn’t even necessary to do an efficient job, but it is definitely part of the fun.  There is one type of humidor that I would recommend avoiding from the start:

The Glass Top Humidor

These humidors are usually the cheapest – they are found everywhere.  But honestly, I have never found these to be efficient and have always proved to be more work than it’s worth.  The two biggest issues I have found are the seal and allowing light in.  The seal on a humidor is crucial. It will maintain a constant relative humidity.  You’ll be refilling your sponges (see below) or replacing Boveda packs more than you should. Boveda is a 2-way humidification device that absorbs or releases humidity when needed.  I recommend these 100% of the time.  Check out this interview for more information: Boveda Interview

If you keep a glass top humidor on a desk or table that is exposed to sunlight, then the conditions inside can heat up in a hurry.  One thing to keep in mind with a humidor: consistent temperature and relative humidity is the goal.  Bad things can happen quickly if cigars are exposed to excess heat, excessive/low humidity levels.  Besides mold and evaporating oils one of the biggest threats to your cigars inside a humidor is the Tobacco Beetle (Lasioderma serricorne).  Check out these articles for more detailed information: Storing Your Cigars and Humidity Tempurature and Cigars – Interview with Nicholas Melillo

Sponges

I’m not even sure why these are an option anymore. But they are extremely common and a lot of humidors will come with them.  We’ve come a long way with only small advances… such as the forementioned Boveda packs and other two-way humidification devices. Sponges do one thing, release humidity. And they will keep releasing until they are dry. It’s hard to dial in RH numbers when using a sponge. Two-way devices release moisture when needed and they absorb it if there is too much. It’s a no brainer.  Save yourself time and headaches – find some two-way humidification.

Cheap Cutters

A good cutter will go a long way.  This is one item I would recommend splurging on from the get-go.  Thankfully there are a lot of great cutters that won’t break the bank.  The Xikar Xi series is still, to this day, my number one choice when it comes to cutting my cigars.  These come in many price ranges from the easy-to-afford to the extravagant.  These double-bladed cigar cutters are precise, sharp and will execute a clean cut every time.  I have always recommended a double-bladed cigar cutter although there is one single-blade cigar cutter that has been getting tremendous response. While not the cheapest – it may be one of the last you will ever buy (ok we know that’s not true – who can only have one cutter? But if you only have one single bladed cigar cutter, this may be the one) Check that out here: The Last Single Blade Cutter You Will Ever Need

Probes For Reading Humidity

To each their own… These do seem pretty cool.  The nerd in me wants to know that information – but I would rather not stick a probe through my cigar to get a reading of the humidity level. I can see if I were just getting into cigars that I would want to know the precise level of humidity.  Seriously though – it’s not that serious.  Experience will guide you and eventually you just know by touch and you’ll be able to trust your storage methods.  Cigars will be fine at a wide level of RH.  They don’t need to be 70%/70 degrees to smoke like or taste like they should.  There is no standard “ideal” level no matter how much you read that there is. As mentioned above, there are some “danger zones” but other than that it depends on what YOU like and what type of cigars you have.

Analog Hydrometers

Technology is a great thing. We’re better than this now. Analog hydrometers don’t need batteries and they can be pretty accurate. But they don’t respond quickly to change.  If you need a hydrometer – I recommend going digital.

Lighters

One thing that I’ve come to learn is that all torch lighters will have issues.  They are finicky to say the least.  Buying an expensive torch lighter isn’t always the way to go, especially at first.  Torch lighters are by far my go-to when it comes to lighting my cigars.  Single, double, triple, even quadruple flame lighters all have their place – especially depending on what size cigars you light up.  Cigars should be an enjoyable experience – the right lighter for the right environment or size will help to make sure that experience doesn’t start out with frustration.

Over time you will find what works the best for you.  Experimenting with all the different cigar toys out there is a lot of fun.  You’ll learn that some stuff just isn’t worth the hassle, while others may not be the most glamorous, but they will be the most effective.