3 Reasons Keeping Cigars In The Fridge Is a Massive No-No

You’ve invested in a collection of exquisite cigars, each promising a symphony of flavours with every puff.

Now, picture stashing them away in your fridge, thinking it’s the ideal storage spot.

Hold on! ?

In today’s post, we’ll delve into the chilly territory of fridge storage and uncover the three biggest reasons why it might be a major misstep for your prized sticks.

So, grab your favourite smoke and settle in, because, from temperature woes to humidity hiccups and flavour fiascos, we’re gonna spill the beans on why your cigars deserve better treatment.

3 Reasons Your Cigars & The Fridge Don’t Mix!

1. The Fridge Is Too Cold

The ideal temperature for cigars is 64-70°F (18-21°C).

Now, compare that to the average refrigerator temperature of 37°F (2-3°C), and you’ve got a problem.

Cigars, especially those with finer leaves like Connecticut or Candela, can crack with temperature changes. Picture this:

Your cigars, accustomed to a tropical and humid vacation, suddenly find themselves in the equivalent of a chilly Arctic escapade. It’s like expecting a beach party and ending up at an ice rink – not exactly the vacation your cigars had in mind! ?️❄️

2. The Fridge Is Too Dry

The fridge, with its chilling aura, isn’t just cooling things down; it’s also leaving your cigars high and dry, quite literally.

Cigars, designed to thrive in humidity ranging from 65% to 72%, find themselves in a fridge that barely musters 15% to 20% relative humidity.

The result? The fridge dries the cigars, causing cracking, and the natural oils that significantly contribute to their taste and aroma are gone.

And here’s the kicker:

These oils, once gone, don’t make a comeback when you try to rehydrate the cigar. ??

3. Cigars Absorb Strong Food Flavours

Think about what you’ve got in your fridge – an aromatic symphony of onions, curry, and an array of pungent delights – not exactly the ideal dance partners for your cigars.

With their delicate and porous nature, Cigars possess an uncanny ability to absorb odours from their surroundings.

So, what does this mean for your cigar experience?

Imagine lighting up what was meant to be a relaxing and enjoyable smoke, only to be greeted by the unexpected notes of last night’s garlicky stir-fry.

Not quite the flavour profile you signed up for, is it?! ??

The ONE Exception To The Rule

The only time you might want to stick your cigars in the fridge is after you’ve been freezing them for 2 days prior (to kill any beetle eggs).

In this case, moving them to the fridge to defrost them for 24-48 hours is acceptable.

Normally people do this when they’ve seen a sign of infestation of beetles or because they are from a source less likely to be 100% beetle-free.

To be clear, all cigars have beetle eggs on them. Nine times out of ten they’re killed off in the curing and making process, but if you buy Cuban farm rolled cigars, for example, they may not have been through this process.

And if you absolutely must keep cigars in the fridge, be sure to put them in a ziplock bag and throw in a Boveda pack to avoid humidy issues.

Humidors: Where Cigars Can Kick Back & Relax

And there you have it! We’ve uncovered the quirks of fridge storage – definitely not the VIP treatment our cigars deserve.

Now, as your cigar collection grows, or if you’re elevating your cigar aficionado game, it’s time to consider buying a trusty humidor.

A humidor is more than just a storage space; it’s a sanctuary for your cigars, ensuring they age gracefully and are ready to deliver that perfect puff whenever you are.

Investing in a quality humidor is like giving your cigars their own five-star retreat – a place where they can kick back, relax, and mature into the rich, flavorful smokes you crave.

And consider adding a digital hygrometer to your arsenal.

Digital hygrometers are inexpensive tools that play a vital role in helping you maintain the delicate balance of humidity and temperature within your humidor and ensure each cigar tastes as delicious as it’s meant to.

You and your cigars deserve nothing less! ??