Dry Boxing

[Drifter]

Talk to me about dry-boxing.

From time to time I read of guys dry boxing their cigars.

I have always assumed that this was a way of helping make sure that the wrappers wouldn't crack when pulled out for smoking (especially in the winter when RH drops). But now I find myself wondering if this assumption is correct. For that matter, I wonder if there are any other benefits? Drawbacks?

Moreover, how long would you keep them in said dry box before smoking? How long can you keep them in the dry box?

Any input would be helpful - thanks!!

 

[Casperdriller]

My traveldor stays at 69%. If i smoke something from the traveldor, i just leave a couple out for the day, unless im somewhere with high humidity. My home humidor hovers around 63-65% so dryboxing isnt nessasary. Had a coolidor that was always around 68-71% id take out a few for the next day and put them in a empty cigar box to smoke. If i didnt smoke them the next day, then theyd go back in the coolidor. Always worked perfect and never got too dry. I wouldnt drybox if your humi wasnt above 68%+

 

[jmartins]

That is a tough question to answer what is your humidor currently set at?

As above which was pretty bang on. Some ppl prefer a dryer smoke so that it doesn't go out or smoke to hot or burn funny.

Fill us in on your current RH for storage and RH in the environment your smoking in. Cheers

JM

 

[W.B.]

Basically two ways I use the method......

1.After I cut a cigar and before I light it, I will draw on it and if I feel it is too tight I will place it in an unhumidified box (for me, my 10ct travel) for a day or two. After that time, the draw issue will most times be solved from loosing some humidity.
2.Additionally, I will do it right away(before cutting)with cigars that I feel have too much humidity and feel that will adversely affect the Flavor. Lowering the humidity in a controlled fashion can noticeably better the Flavor.

 

[Monsterdg]

When I first started my wineador I found it was a little high Rh for me, 68/69. Here in ATL that Rh for the sticks was causing me all sorts of issues smoking outside.

I took an inexpensive 25ct humidor which I didn't season, and filled it with sticks & a 65% Boveda pack. I then smoked out of the humi, rather than the wineador. No more issues outside and I wasn't concerned with drying too much because of the Boveda.

If you are having burn issues with your sticks I highly recommend dry boxing.

 

[UpInSmoke]

Store at 60% then you never need to dry box

 

[fireman mike]

I've been smoking cigars for a long time (20 years) and also work in the business, and if you maintain your humidor around 60-67% you should have very limited issues. On the other hand,for what it's worth, the other day I found 10 or so Oliva V Belicoso's buried in my kitchen drawer by accident that have been there for over a year. I handed them out at the shop and I smoked one as well, and guess what, they burned perfect and tasted spot on. Nine other long time cigar smokers agreed. I'm not saying throw all your humidors away and stuff them in your drawers by any means, but it goes to show that not all sticks HAVE to be kept in PERFECT conditions to be enjoyed. I only say this because there are a lot of folks that worry to death over the humidity in their humidors. Now having your humidor too wet is another story.

 

[Drifter]

That is a tough question to answer what is your humidor currently set at?

As above which was pretty bang on. Some ppl prefer a dryer smoke so that it doesn't go out or smoke to hot or burn funny.

Fill us in on your current RH for storage and RH in the environment your smoking in. Cheers

JM

Thanks for all your inputs!!

Me? Well I am running a couple humidors at different RH's (65% vs 70%RH) to see which RH I prefer, as I am in the process of building a larger resting/aging humidor and am trying to decide what RH beads I want to get for it.

Here is what "I" have concluded (not that you asked lol). I am convinced some of my sticks actually taste better when stored at 70%. However, the burn issues that come with 70% RH as compared to 65%, kind of negate the taste issue. I mean if it isn't smoking... you can't taste it anyway lol.

I guess I could rest my cigars in the larger humi I am building now at 70%, and keep my smoking cigars in another humi at 65% and in a pinch, were I too want something out of my resting humi, just dry box em!

But after posting this question and sleeping on the idea, I have come to the conclusion that I am simply awful with respect to waiting on a cigar that's in my possession. I mean, I'll let em rest for 2-3 months, but then, if I want one, I'll want it then. Not after dry boxing, or moving the sticks from one humi to the next.

I think I'll be going 65% RH throughout my collection and avoid dry boxes.

Thanks gents!!

 

[Casperdriller]

63-65% RH is the way to go.

 

[Lipher]

Store at 60% then you never need to dry box

Agreed.

 

[ascrivner]

Store at 60% then you never need to dry box

Agreed.

+1, but some sticks can still use a dry box even at 60, T-52 robos still burst on me unless they have a couple day db.

 

[Phishman]

I keep my collection at 70/70. My table top cigars at 65%, but my ISOF at 61%. And even at 61% I still have to dry box them sometimes. If I cut one and it won't draw I simply toss it in my dry box and test it out every day until it's smokable.