Better Storage Temperature

[rodwha]

I've been storing my cigars in a large tupperware container where they stand upright, and this I've been keeping in my fermentation chamber that's set at 64*. Is this a better place to store them or would my 73* closet be better?

[Demuths1770]

they say 70 degress is what they should be stored at. i worry more about the hummidity as long as the temp is stable and not too high or low. (much over 70 and you chance cigar beetles and mold) mine are stored at 62% 65 degress and no problems at all

[AlanS]

73 is getting in the danger zone, better at 64 I think.

[Sigaar]

Everything I've read has said to stay at/under 70F. That will help reduce risk of beetle outbreaks. Personally, I like to go lower, just to be safe. My wineador is usually about 61F.

[Hardheaded]

You generally want to keep them below *70 if possible to help prevent mold growth or beetle larva hatchings. Ideally at a rh uf 70% or less. Too far above either of those numbers, for too long a time could potentially lead to problems.

I'd say where they are is the better of your two options

[HabanoMan]

64 is much better than 73. Anything above 70 and you start increasing your risk for tobacco beetles. Anywhere between 60 and 70 should be fine.

You sure don't want to end up like this!
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r232/luvmaduro/buggy_pams.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/luvmaduro/media/buggy_pams.jpg.html)

[Sigaar]

On the same topic, what is too low for storage? If I overflow into coolers in my basement, I'd be looking at about 50-52F in winter...too cold??

[izkeh]

64 is much better than 73. Anything above 70 and you start increasing your risk for tobacco beetles. Anywhere between 60 and 70 should be fine.

You sure don't want to end up like this!
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r232/luvmaduro/buggy_pams.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/luvmaduro/media/buggy_pams.jpg.html)

That's a sickening sight....

[Nature]

I think lower temps are better for the retardation of beetle eggs hatching; IF any viable eggs are present.
Consider this though, the average temperature of the regions where tobacco originates is much higher.
The answer may depend upon how long they are being stored as well and what effects does temperature have on aging? Probably a couple factors going on here; the oils may evaporate faster at an elevated temp. But some of the chemical reactions going on during the aging process are more likely to happen, or occur faster at elevated temps. This could be good, or this could be bad, depending upon the final byproducts.
To be honest, I don't have any definitive answers, but some different things to think about.

I think the consensus is lower is better. That is where I keep mine, between 60-66 deg, but that is more of convenience because I keep them in the basement out of the way and where there are the least fluctuating temperatures in my home.

[rodwha]

I ordered a couple of cheap samplers and noticed (many moon later) the cigar roma few days ago had a strange cigar "dust" in the cellophane. I'm guessing this is likely a beetle problem?

[UncleFesterESQ]

I ordered a couple of cheap samplers and noticed (many moon later) the cigar roma few days ago had a strange cigar "dust" in the cellophane. I'm guessing this is likely a beetle problem?

I don't claim to have any in depth knowledge of the incubation process of the cigar beetle, but if I were in your situation, I would place the cigars in the fridge overnight and then the freezer for 24 hours. Afterwards, back in the fridge overnight and then back to the humidor to re-acclimate. Better safe than sorry.

Some do this every time they receive new cigars. I used to... but then got lazy. Hopefully I will never have to pay the price.

[Jordan23]

I agree with a lot of the comments.

Alabama has hot summers. When I first started collecting cigars years ago, I was worried to death about beetles. My temps usually hover around 72 degrees (except for my wineador which is at 65) or so; however, at times during the summer they can reach 77 ish (it's rare, but it can happen even with ice cold AC). A BOTL on the old site lived in Florida, and he told me to freeze my cigars and relax. He said he'd been doing it for years and never had a beetle. I followed his advice, I freeze everything, and I dont worry about beetles anymore.

However, if you have the ability to control temperature, by all means do so.

[rodwha]

I checked the last 3 cigars and all seemed fine and so I smoked one. Could it be what I saw was the results of a dry cigar?

[Sweet Cigars]

My humi is in my closet sitting at 68% and 70 degrees which I'm lucky I guess being in south Louisiana, da swamps ya!

[Zeede]

Hmm, my bathroom has marble tile so it's the coolest spot in my house. The interior of my OXOdor stays at 71-72 degrees, even when temps outside get into the triple digits.

I don't really have anyplace cooler to put it other than in the fridge. I could try a cooler and a small icepack but that'd be hard to regulate. Sadly, a wineador is not within the budget currently.

[HIM]

Just freeze your stash and you don't have to worry about it :thumb:

[AlanS]

Restrooms have large humidity spikes. Kitchens have temp swings and humidity and odor issues.

[Nature]

Hmm, my bathroom has marble tile so it's the coolest spot in my house. The interior of my OXOdor stays at 71-72 degrees, even when temps outside get into the triple digits.

I don't really have anyplace cooler to put it other than in the fridge. I could try a cooler and a small icepack but that'd be hard to regulate. Sadly, a wineador is not within the budget currently.

I would NOT put it in the fridge as that is too cool and it will dry them out. You don't want to use the cooler/ice-pack combo either. First, too much hassle. Cigars should be enjoyable and not this much work.
Secondly, the ice-pack will accumulate condensation and cause the environment to be too humid or get the cigars wet.

71-72 should be OK. The main concern is to keep the temperature relatively stable and avoid rapid fluctuations. As some have alluded to, there may be a small risk of viable tobacco beetles hatching at warmer temps, but many have confidence in the manufacturers' ability to prevent this. Others give everything they receive a freeze treatment in order to kill the beetle eggs that may be present in the cigars. That is an entirely different topic.

Just do the best you can to keep them at a stable temperature in the coolest environment you reasonably have available.

[Zeede]

Restrooms have large humidity spikes. Kitchens have temp swings and humidity and odor issues.

Humidity isn't an issue due to the airtight plastic container. Here's what I have:

http://www.oxo.com/p-439-pop-container-rectangle-25-quart.aspx

[Zeede]

Okay, that's weird. I posted a reply but it has never shown up here.

AlanS: I tried to post a link to the OXO website to show you the container I use to store my cigars in my bathroom. It's an airtight seal, so I doubt the cigars will notice any humidity change. The Boveda packs are supposed to absorb any excess moisture anyhow, right?

[Billb1960]

Okay, that's weird. I posted a reply but it has never shown up here.

AlanS: I tried to post a link to the OXO website to show you the container I use to store my cigars in my bathroom. It's an airtight seal, so I doubt the cigars will notice any humidity change. The Boveda packs are supposed to absorb any excess moisture anyhow, right?

As I understand it Boveda packs will regulate the humidity up to the point where they are saturated at which point they cannot absorb anymore. If they're in an airtight container then it shouldn't be an issue tho'

[Zeede]

True, but when I moved my cigars from a plastic bag to the OXO I added a thin sheet of cedar my B&M gave me and the humidity dropped to 61% before restabilizing at 71%. There should be some buffer :)