When I bought my first pipe tobaccos I naively presumed they would keep perfectly well in their respective little pouches and tins. Much to my dismay, after a few weeks my precious little containers of cargo were becoming as dry and crispy as the grass on my front lawn. As it turns out, pipe tobacco is best stored at about the same humidity as cigars: 70%. Fortunately, pipe tobacco is a bit more resilient than cigars and a humidor needn't be as complex. (But for an exhaustive link on building humidors, try the Cigar FAQ.)

I went on the Internet and researched what other pipe smokers were using: invariably it was Tupperware, mason jars, or some other kind of small lidded contraption. This was fine and dandy, but I didn't want to have a dozen different jars sitting around my room—especially since it isn't particularly convenient if I want to take a tin with me to the local pub. (Not to mention I'm rather fond of the little tins they come in.)

I decided that my ideal humidor would be airtight, easy to monitor and alter the humidity levels, but most importantly, it would be able to hold several individual pouches and tins of tobacco. After some thought and research, I came up what has been the ideal solution for me:

The Lexan Humidor

This is an airtight container made of high quality plastic with a RadioShack digital hygrometer and a humidifying sponge. It keeps the humidify level so constant that I only have to make adjustments a few times a month. If it gets too moist, I just leave the lid open for a while (and to freshen the air in it). If it's too dry, I soak a humidifying sponge in distilled water and leave it in the box for a few hours until it's back up to the proper level. (Most of the time there's no need for the sponge inside.) Note that my goal wasn't to be a total cheapskate (considering, after all, the value of the tobacco), but to find something that worked reliably and conveniently.

Materials

Lexan container

The ideal humidor will not impart any foreign taste or smell upon the tobacco. Lexan is a very hard and clear plastic that, like glass, will not absorb any moisture, flavours or odours. It also seals perfectly. (Tupperwear never seems to.) I bought my Lexan box at Mountain Equipment Coop, though most stores that sell paddling gear will likely stock them, or something similar. This particular one has a gasket around the lid and seals airtight with two sturdy latches. (If you have far too much tobacco to fit into these boxes Tupperware will be a necessary compromise.) Cost: $30

Hygrometer

This is the little device used to monitor the humidity level inside the box. The dial ones are either cheap and don't work well, or expensive and work only reasonably well, so I went to Radio Shack and found a digital one that measures both temperature and humidity accurately. (Best of all, it was on sale. Yay for me.) Although it's a little pricey, it's still a better deal than the highest quality dial hygrometer at your local tobacconist. Cost: $35

Humidifying sponge

These are hard sponges that will absorb water and add humidity to your little micro-environment. Here you have some choices: you can pick up a block of green florist foam dirt cheap (from, say, a florist or craft store) or a specialized humidifying sponge for humidors. My tobacconist stocks several kinds of these sponges; some of them costing up to 50 bucks. (These ones are supposed to be very high quality, but secretly I think that they're the same as any other, but people who spent thousands of dollars on their cigars aren't about to start cutting costs at the sponge.) Needless to say, I bought the cheapest one I could find. It is, after all, just a little sponge inside a plastic container with holes poked in it. (If you go with the florist foam, be sure to buy the 'wet' kind or won't absorb water!) Cost: $2-10

Distilled Water

You can buy a special solution that will help keep the moisture level more constant but water is usually good enough for pipe tobacco. Ideally, it should be distilled water so as not to moisturize your tobacco with any impurities that may be in the water—or block up your sponge with the minerals left after evaporation. You can buy distilled water at a grocery store for a buck or two, or make your own by capturing the steam from boiling water. (Good luck.) When needed, press the foam into the water until full. (Don't use apple slices or anything of the like unless you want mold growing inside.) Cost: $0-2

Readers have left 6 comments.

 No.6  Re:

FYI I bought one of these cases from MEC and it definitely doesn't seal airtight.

— Guest

Sounds like you got one with a bad seal! I have two and both keep humidity almost indefinitely. Try putting it in a sink full of water and see if leaks!

Eric (Unregistered) • 2010-03-12 16:04:33

 No.5  Untitled

FYI I bought one of these cases from MEC and it definitely doesn't seal airtight. The ambient humidity where I live is around 30% or less and if I take the sponge out of my lexan case the humidity inside takes a complete nosedive and within hours is far below the 70% I want to keep it at. I will keep experimenting to see if I can get it to seal completely but just a warning to others planning to try this.

Guest (Unregistered) • 2010-03-08 19:23:16

 No.4  Word of thanks

Just a word of thanks. As I was browsing commercial humidor sites, I noticed yours. A big difference from a $49 jar with a old-fashioned sailing vessel on the front - (without seal, humidifier or hygrometer).
I got an apothecary jar with a good seal (4.95 at Target) a $14.00 digital hygrometer at Radio Shack, a decal of a ship ($1.00) and a a 2" square piece of sponge...Lo and Behold! a $21.00 humidor I actually LIKED!

Gina (Unregistered) • 2009-03-15 02:44:44

 No.3  Re: question

i have a science fair project. i need a humidador that will keep dead plant material in an isolated area. i read your artical and wondered if it would work.

— Guest

Anything that seals completely should work fine; for example, a mason jar used for canning, or any kind of jar/container with a good rubber gasket.

Eric Mathurin (Super Administrator) • 2007-12-08 23:10:50

 No.2  question

i have a science fair project. i need a humidador that will keep dead plant material in an isolated area. i read your artical and wondered if it would work. for cigars they say you need propeline glycal (spelled wrong) do you think just following you instructions without it would keep the material damp?

please respond

Guest (Unregistered) • 2007-12-08 17:09:31

 No.1  a question

I'm starting a new humidor and I was wondering what do you keep your temperature and humidity of yours.. everyone says it depends on what you like and what type of leaf you have.

I'm just hoping for a good starting point..

www.eslcity.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Guest (Unregistered) • 2006-06-24 01:55:39

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