Introduction
I can agree on that, but a sharp and bitter cigar will probably make it a lot less enjoyable. That’s why I wanted to build myself a Humidor. Storing a cigar at the right temperature and humidity is very important. Especially for long filler cigars like Cubans.
In the Netherlands it’s much more common to smoke short filler cigars. Most of them are produced here in the Netherlands. They don’t have to be stored in a humidor but it is recommended.
Why post this Humidor-building project in the Arduino community? Because the humidor’s humidity will be automatically controlled by an Arduino. Calling it ‘the Humiduino.’
1. Basics: How does a humidor work?
For the optimal storage of cigars you would want a box with a so called ‘Caribbean’ climate inside; warm and very humid. Translated in numbers that would be 21 degrees Celcius (70F) and 70% relative humidity. That climate has to be maintained to ensure the optimal storage of cigars. No matter what the outside climate is.
Most humidors you can buy are equipped with 2 essential parts. A humidifier and a hygrometer. Both used to maintain the right humidity. They don’t bother to cool or heat the humidor to the right temperature because it’s assumed that the humidor is going to be placed inside your house where central heating or cooling will maintain the temperature.
The hygrometer is used to monitor the humidity. The humidifier is used to add moisture to the air. The moisture is manually added by adding a little water to the humidifier. IMPORTANT: It has to be distilled water! Tap water might contain minerals and bacteria that might influence the humidor, or worse, your cigars.
1.1 In-Depth: Maintaining humidity levels
When is just finished my humidor the climate in the Netherlands was quite extreme. A long and dry heatwave caused my living room to be at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius around 14:00. Relative humidity was around 93% at night and 60% during the day. I was unable to maintain the perfect climate in the humidor and it made me think that my hand made humidor wasn’t any good. But being new to the whole humidor thing turned out to be the main reason.
Read more: HUMIDUINO – AN AUTOMATED HUMIDOR USING ARDUINO
