What is a Desktop Humidor?
Humidors are fairly simple in nature and serve one specific purpose - to keep your cigars fresh and in the most optimal condition at all times. When it comes to desktop humidors, they are just like any other humidor, except this type is specifically made to fit on desks, countertops, and other surfaces around your home or office. As a result, unlike a humidor cabinet or a furniture humidor, desktop humidors are relatively small in size but still big enough for you to store at least a few dozen cigars.
How Do Desktop Cigar Humidors Work?
The sole purpose of a humidor is to create the ideal conditions for your cigars. Too little moisture, and your cigars will crack. Too much moisture, and your cigars will get moldy. With that in mind, the exact way a desktop cigar humidor works will depend on the type of humidor you have.
For instance, electrical luxury humidors will work slightly differently from a traditional small desktop humidor. Despite that, they all follow a very similar process for keeping your cigar collection in the most optimal condition possible. When looking at how a desktop cigar box works, there are four components that we need to consider, including:
- The humidification system, which is crucial for ensuring the correct level of moisture is present within the humidor at all times
- The hygrometer, which gives you more information on the actual level of humidity inside the humidor
- The thermostat, which is key to ensuring that your cigars are also stored at the most optimal temperature
- The seal, which is essential for separating the internal humidity level of the humidor vs. the humidity outside
When you combine all of the above, the perfect cigar storage conditions are created based on the needs of your cigar collection.
How to Choose a Desktop Cigar Humidor
There are many different factors that you need to consider when choosing a desktop humidor. The first, and arguably most important one is the size of the humidor and how many cigars you want to be able to store at any one time.
Once you know the answer to that question, next up, you need to consider your budget. This will help you narrow down your selection further and disqualify any desktop humidors that are not within your specified range. Aside from the size and your budget, there are some other factors that you need to pay further attention to, including:
- The aesthetic that you’re going for
- The material it's made out of
- The humidification system
- The hygrometer
On top of that, the last thing you need to decide is how much involvement you want to have in the aging process of your cigars. If you want to be fully involved, it's best to use a traditional desktop humidor. If you want the majority of the process automated, then you should look at investing in an electric humidor.
How Long Do Cigars Last in a Desktop Humidor?
The length of time you can store your cigars in your desktop humidor will vary anywhere from a few months to several years. The biggest factors that will determine the exact length of time you can store your cigars in a humidor include:
- The quality and the type of cigars you want to store
- The conditions inside the humidor
- The overall quality of the seal and the humidor you plan on using
If you have premium cigars, for instance, it's best to avoid storing them in a small travel humidor for long periods of time, as those are only suitable for short-term storage.
