Cigar Guides
How to Store Cigars Without a Humidor (5 Methods That Work)
Nov
How to Store Cigars Without a Humidor
You just bought a few good cigars and you don’t own a humidor yet — or maybe yours is full. You don’t need a wooden box to keep cigars in good condition for days, weeks, or even months. What you need is a sealed container and a way to control humidity. This guide covers the methods that work, how long each lasts, and the mistakes that quietly ruin cigars.
Why Cigars Need Controlled Storage
A premium cigar is made from natural tobacco leaves that behave like a sponge, constantly absorbing and releasing moisture from the air. When the air is too dry, the natural oils in the leaf evaporate — and those oils carry almost all of the flavour. The cigar becomes dry, harsh, and eventually unsmokeable. When the air is too wet, it can grow mould, turn spongy, and refuse to burn evenly.
Most published guides agree on the target: 65–72% relative humidity (RH) and about 65–70°F (18–21°C). Within that range, sources disagree on the “best” number — Boveda, maker of the most widely used two-way humidity packs, calls 69% RH the most universal choice, while many experienced smokers prefer 65% for a firmer draw, and 72% for drafty containers or dry climates. Every source agrees on one point: consistency matters more than the exact number.
How Long Do Cigars Last Without a Humidor?
Left out in the open, a cigar starts losing moisture within the first 24 hours. Sources differ slightly on the timeline, but most put it at 24 to 72 hours before drying becomes noticeable, with flavour loss by day three. Dry climates, heated rooms, and air conditioning speed it up. The original cigar box alone is not enough — it is not airtight, so it buys you roughly 24–72 hours at most.
Sealed up properly, the picture changes completely:
| Situation | Best method | How long it works |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 cigars, a few days | Ziplock bag + humidity pack | 1–2 weeks |
| 5–15 cigars, short term | Mason jar + humidity pack | 1–3 months |
| 10–50 cigars, medium term | Tupperdor (airtight container) + humidity pack | 1–6 months |
| Large collection, no humidor | Coolerdor + humidity packs | Months to years |
Method 1: The Ziplock Bag (1–2 Weeks)
The simplest approach for a handful of cigars. Put the cigars in a freezer-grade ziplock bag — thicker plastic limits air leaking through the wall — add a two-way humidity pack (Boveda 65% or 69% RH are the common choices), press out the excess air, seal the bag, and store it somewhere cool and dark at roughly 65–70°F.
Two-way packs release moisture when the air is too dry and absorb it when it is too humid, holding a steady level with no adjustment from you. The bag’s seal degrades over time, which is why this method suits one to two weeks rather than months.
Method 2: Mason Jar or Glass Container (1–3 Months)
A mason jar with a rubber-sealed lid is one of the best short-to-medium-term solutions. Glass does not absorb or release moisture the way plastic sometimes does, so conditions inside stay stable. Drop in a humidity pack, add your cigars, seal the lid, and keep the jar out of direct sunlight.
Method 3: The Tupperdor (1–6 Months)
If you plan to hold cigars for longer than a week, the “tupperdor” — a food-grade, airtight plastic container with a gasketed lid — is the method most experienced smokers default to when a humidor is unavailable. It creates a sealed environment rivalling entry-level wooden humidors, at a fraction of the cost.
To set one up, choose a clean, food-grade container with a gasketed, snap-tight lid. Optionally line it with Spanish cedar, which absorbs and releases moisture and keeps cigars from trading flavours. Add your cigars and a two-way humidity pack — one 60-gram Boveda pack per 25 cigars of capacity is the common rule of thumb — plus a small digital hygrometer so you can see the actual reading instead of guessing. Keep it in a cool, dark place.
Because plastic seals so completely, several guides recommend a slightly lower RH pack in a tupperdor — 62% or 65% rather than 72%. Use only one RH level per container; mixing different RH packs works against the balance.
Method 4: The Coolerdor (Months to Years)
For a larger collection, a coolerdor is an ordinary cooler repurposed as a humidor. Start with a new, clean cooler dedicated only to cigars — tobacco is porous and absorbs nearby smells, so one that once held food or drinks is a bad idea. Check the lid seals well, add humidity packs (and cedar trays or sheets if you have them), and you have a setup that holds cigars for months or even years.
Method 5: The Travel Case
For cigars you are carrying with you, a small hard-sided travel case with a humidity pack inside is the right solution. It protects the cigars from bumps as well as from drying out.
Should You Leave the Cellophane On?
If you plan to age cigars for weeks or months, most guides recommend removing the cellophane, since it slows — but does not stop — moisture moving in and out. If you are travelling, leave it on: it protects the wrapper from nicks in transit. Either way, cellophane only slows drying; a cigar in cellophane left out in the open will still dry out.
What Definitely Does Not Work
- The refrigerator. Fridges dry cigars out rapidly and expose them to food odours — tobacco absorbs whatever else is in there, and even a few hours is enough to notice.
- Wet paper towels, damp sponges, or tap water. Uncontained moisture spawns mould within about 48 hours, and tap water contains minerals and chlorine that damage aroma.
- Direct sunlight or heat. A bag baking in a hot car or a spot near a heating vent dries cigars out and splits them. Warm, damp spots invite mould and tobacco beetles.
Can You Revive a Dried-Out Cigar?
Sometimes, partly. If a cigar has only been dry for a few days to a week, it can often be rehydrated gradually — for example, in a tupperdor with a 62% humidity pack for four to six weeks. The key word is gradually: rehydrating too fast can split the wrapper. But a badly dried cigar will never fully return to its original condition, which is why storage comes first and rescue comes second.
Protecting the Cigars You Already Own
Whatever you smoke — a Cohiba Black Robusto for a shorter session or a Cohiba Blue Robusto when you have more time — it only delivers what the roller intended if stored properly. A ziplock bag and a humidity pack cost very little and protect a cigar worth far more. If you are building a collection, browse our shop and set up a tupperdor before your next order arrives.
For adults only. Please enjoy cigars responsibly and in line with the laws where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can cigars last without a humidor?
In open air, cigars begin drying out within 24 to 72 hours and go bad within two to three days. Sealed with a two-way humidity pack, they stay fresh for weeks to months — a tupperdor for one to six months, a coolerdor for even longer.
Can I store cigars in a ziplock bag?
Yes, short-term. A freezer-grade ziplock bag with a Boveda pack (65% or 69% RH), sealed with the air pressed out and kept cool and dark, keeps cigars fresh for about one to two weeks. Without a humidity pack, a sealed bag only slows drying for a few days.
Do cigars need a humidity pack?
If you plan to keep them longer than a few days, yes. Cigars need a continual humidity source to stay fresh, even with the cellophane on. Two-way humidity packs both add and absorb moisture to hold a steady RH level, with no maintenance.
What humidity is best for storing cigars?
The recommended range is 65–72% RH at 65–70°F. Sources disagree on one “best” number: Boveda recommends 69% RH as the most universal choice, many smokers prefer 65% for everyday smoking, and 72% suits drafty containers or dry climates. Pick a number in the range and keep it steady.
