Newbie with a question

[GoodLookinPete]

G'Day Troops,

First off I'll introduce myself, middle age living in Darwin blow on average one cigar a fortnight, sometimes less. Used to be a packet a day cigarette smoker 20 years ago though.

Unfortunately I live in a Nanny State of a country in an area with a very limited market so I have a real problem when it comes to diversity of supply, but hey, I'll manage.

Now for my question, given the average temp is 30 Deg celsius and average humidity is 71% could I just leave my cigar stash (Yes, both of them) on the kitchen bench? as this seems to replicate a humidor in my extremely limited experience.

[NJP]

G'day Pete and welcome mate. Firstly our host will be able to improve the diversity of your supply and as for storage its a little rough on the cigar on the bench but I understand the Maths kinda make sence. When you start spending the coin on boxes you will feel the need to spoil your sticks storage wise. It's all a journey mate and again welcome.

[markmurase]

Most members seem to recommend a humidity of 65%. Average humidity of 71% is probably OK, except that during the summer storm season I imagine the humidity in Darwin is over 90% quite often. That's not good.

The average temperature of 30 degrees C would make cigars age more quickly. OK if you have a small quantity and go through them relatively quickly. Not good for long term storage.

High temperature and humidity is also perfect for hatching of tobacco beatle, so would be a good plan to freeze all cigars.

Anyway, that's my two cents worth. Probably best to stay with the humidor, and have it in an airconditioned room.

[TheBaron]

Welcome aboard mate. Personally, I find my CCs smoke better at 65% - cleaner, crisper smoke. During summer I drop the humidity down to around 60.

I reckon you'd get away with the bench idea if the humidity was constant, but we know there can be drastic variations in a single day - especially up your end of the world.

Just be safe, look after them and KNOW they'll smoke well. Otherwise you risk flushing plenty of coin down the loo - particularly in Oz where we get stung more than most.

Anyway, just my 2c. Enjoy the forum. It's a ripping place to whittle away time and gain knowledge.

[GoodLookinPete]

Thanks for the responses troops, naturally I did not intend to leave them n the counter but the principle seems reasonably sound. If I keep them in their original packaging in the top drawer of my amour for a month or so I suspect my sticks will not deteriorate.

[JPS72]

Welcome!

Joe

[stogieluver]

I agree with Shlomo. For the price of a 50 or 100 count humidor, it's just not worth what the fluctuations will do to your smokes. If you're going to try to get the best out of really good quality Cuban cigars that are not cheap, spring for a small desk top humidor and a hygrometer and a small jar of 65% beads. They'll last for years and years (the humidor and the smokes).

[jimb2u]

Its not so much the RH and temp you have to worry about, its more the changes over the course of a day. Cigars thrive in stability, even if the temp and RH are off by a degree or percent its fine. But the large swings in both measures over the course of a day or week will ruin your cigars. If you insist on trying it out, good luck. I wouldn't.

X2. Good advice and besides, once you have some room to properly store your cigars...then the fun begins.

Welcome

Cheers

Jim

[Squarehead]

Welcome to the FOH forum and happy smokes.

In addition to Shlomos advice it is also aircirculation that will dry out everything including cigars.So do yourself a favor and get a humi.

[stargazer14]

Welcome.

For the price of a leftover food container you have yourself a humidor for your sticks.

If you start buying boxes this presents a problem as you may have to eat more.

Mike

[GoodLookinPete]

Welcome.

For the price of a leftover food container you have yourself a humidor for your sticks.

If you start buying boxes this presents a problem as you may have to eat more.

Mike

Haha, I like the mindset.

Thanks for the good advice Shlomo and others, I may start with a small Pelican case in a stable area of the house.

[cottierm]

Welcome to FOH!

Best,

Michel

[Random]

In addition to previous advices and info, you should also consider that the kitchen where you plan to store your lovely sticks is full of smells. And you dont want your cigars smell like fried onion or garlic.

And welcome!

[str8dog]

Welcome aboard!

At the very least, get them into a ziplock freezer bag (maybe even double it up) and get it to the coolest part of your house.

[Trevor2118]

Welcome.

[finecigar]

Welcome to FOH! Although it sounds alright, I would try to lower the humidity to highest of 68- I've experienced that cigars, especially cubans, will smoke much better/tastier at 60-68.

And although numbers are right, I would insist that you get some kind of alternate storage method, even if it is some plastic ziploc bags with humidity pouches inside. Keep it simple. But having them out in the open on the bench could be dangerous to both their aging and smoke quality/taste.

[samreddevilz]

Welcome Pete. Great Job mate.

[Skyfall]

welcome!

[GoodLookinPete]

welcome!

Love that tag line Skyfall, I consume all of that at once also, because I am an Australian and that is what we do.

Cheers,

Pete

[jdo2110]

Welcome buddy, I was just a few hours ahead of you ; )

[CanuckSARTech]

Cheers and welcome.

And to answer your question - no, don't leave them out. Follow the advice given so far; there's gems of wisdom in there.