Cigar beetles and humidity

[Tobias Lutz]

You could simply freeze your cigars and be done with it (not trying to turn this into a freezing discussion- just throwing it out there).

[projectsunfire]

get a wineador and never look back!

[anthony d]

+1 on freezing...

[Browns7213]

There actually was a great post by @ssaka at the other place that discussed beetle hatching temps/humidity. While I don't remember everything in his post, what I found fascinating was that below 70/70 usually prevents hatching, but also over a certain temp/RH level also prevents hatching. Unfortunately, those higher temps/Rh will make your cigars pretty soggy.

[CamoSutra]

Anyone with a coolerdor and a refrigerator can bring down the coolerdor's temperature easily. Wrap a cold can or two of whatever beverage you have handy in a dish towel or hand towel, put that into a ziplock bag, and place in cooler until the interior temperature is more to your liking (or the cans have warmed up to the same temp as the cooler). The towels will provide insulation keep the temperature from dropping too quickly, while the plastic bag keeps moisture from the air inside the cooler from condensing and lowering the RH. You can also use a refreezable "blue ice" pack; just wrap it a little more and it will probably stay cold for several hours.

[Tgs679]

Freeze your sticks

[Puff]

I've never went to the extent of freezing my sticks. I know many have great success with this process but in the years I've been smoking, I've never had any problems with just keeping the cigars stored the conventional way. I prefer about 65% humidity and temps usually don't get much above 70 degrees.

I remember years ago (when I once lived in Florida and this was a big concern for me) I was told the magic number of 140. That is, between your humidity and temp, keep the number at 140 or less and you should be fine. Now I know that is certainly not a scientific answer or approach, but I do believe it is a fairly good gauge to use.

[Lostmason]

Thank You gentlemen,that answers some un-asked questions of my own.

[FireRunner]

Just FYI all major cigar manufactures freeze their cigars prior to shipping. I've been told from actual cigar company reps and managers. While many still fear beetles taking simple care of your sticks goes a long way. My brother and I have been smoking for over 20 years and we have yet to have one beetle.

Keep your cigars in a cool place and keep the RH under 70. That works for us for over two decades. However, most (if not all) information on beetle prevention has already been posted above me.

[wabashcr]

Just FYI all major cigar manufactures freeze their cigars prior to shipping. I've been told from actual cigar company reps and managers. While many still fear beetles taking simple care of your sticks goes a long way. My brother and I have been smoking for over 20 years and we have yet to have one beetle.

Keep your cigars in a cool place and keep the RH under 70. That works for us for over two decades. However, most (if not all) information on beetle prevention has already been posted above me.

I do believe major manufacturers freeze everything, but it doesn't protect the cigars from cross-contamination in warehouses or even in your own humidor. Even though a cigar is frozen, you never know what it's been exposed to in the meantime.

That said, I don't freeze anything except custom CCs, and I've never seen a beetle. It's just not on my radar. I keep my cigars at or under 70 for the most part, and in the low 60s RH. I understand there's a little bit of risk, but I'm ok with it.