The acrylic humidor is growing in popularity among cigar aficionados. Unlike wooden humidors, it is not susceptible to warping or cupping, and they provide an airtight seal that helps to preserve the flavor and aroma of cigars. It also offers a clear view of the cigars, so you can easily see when it’s time to replenish your supply.
Perhaps you’re in the market for a new cigar humidor, but you’ve heard some conflicting opinions about which ones are worth investing in. If so, this article is for you.
What Is An Acrylic Humidor?
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An acrylic humidor is a relative newcomer to the cigar industry that has taken off due to its high-quality construction and relative affordability. You might know them better as “acrylic cabinets” or “acrylic cigar cases”.
It is a cabinet that is used to store cigars. It’s typically made of Spanish cedar, which has natural fungi-repelling and moisture-retaining qualities. In addition to the Spanish cedar, it has a seal between the air inside and outside of the box. This seal reduces drastic temperature changes, as well as prevents any unwanted aromas from escaping!
It is typically used for collectible cigars or those that are meant for aging. This is because they not only work to keep your cigars at an ideal humidity level but they also help preserve their aroma and flavor.
Acrylic Humidor Comparison Chart
Yankee Kent Humidor
The Yankee Kent Humidor is a solid choice for those who are looking for an inexpensive option. Measuring 12 inches wide, 18 inches high, and 6 inches deep, it’s a fairly standard size for a medium-sized humidor. It has an impressive capacity of 100 cigars and is ideal for those who want to display their collection in a beautiful, though non-traditional manner.
Although not ideal for aging or collectible stogies (due to its plastic construction), the Yankee Kent Humidor still provides an adequate amount of regulation and quality construction. The thermostatic control makes it perfect for those who are looking for something simple and practical that doesn’t break the bank.
The Salsitero Humidor Keystone 40
This humidor is one of the best acrylic cigar cases you will find on the market today. It has amazing construction and high-end features that make it worthy of consideration by anyone serious about maintaining their cigars at their best.
Baron Of Hawthorn
If you are looking for a larger humidor that will accommodate twenty-five to thirty cigars, the Baron of Hawthorn is a solid choice. Measuring 12.2″ x 60″ x 13″, this humidor is larger than average and is perfect for those who have many stogies to store. The humidity level of the box is maintained with a built-in thermostat that keeps the wood finish humidified at 72% relative humidity, which should be enough to keep your cigars at their ideal conditions.
Temper-Lock Humidor
In addition to its humidity control, the Temper-Lok Humidor also comes equipped with an ionizer. This process, whether it be through fog or ions, is essentially the same thing. The humidor is kept at a relative humidity of approximately 70% through the use of a built-in thermostat and wand system that produces positive ions.
Ions are essentially particles in the air that make their way into your cigars and create an invisible shield between your cigars and outside elements. They prevent mold as well as further rotting of your stogies by slowing down the rate at which they deteriorate.
Hardwood Spacious Humidor
One of the best acrylic cigar cases out there, the Hardwood Spacious Humidor is capable of accommodating up to forty cigars. Measuring 14″ in width and 12″ in depth, it’s an ideal option for those looking for a great deal on an acrylic cigar case that can hold a significant amount of cigars.
The humidor comes with dual hygrometers and an automatic thermostat that makes this humidor perfect for those who are looking to keep their stogies at their ideal conditions year-round. The humidification system works perfectly to ensure your stogies stay fresh and consistent as they sit inside the box.
Acrylic Humidor Buyer's Guide
Before purchasing an Acrylic Humidor a potential buyer has to check the following three parameters:
Size
Either the cubic foot of space inside (CF) and/or the volume of humidification needed.
Price
The price you’ll have to pay to get a certain number of cigars fixed at a given humidity level.
Build Quality
How well you can expect it to hold up over time, considering its quality, fashion, and model?
Benefits Of Acrylic Humidor
- All Humidors and Cabinet sizes will come with built-in digital hygrometers that offer an accurate reading of the internal humidity level. These digital hygrometers are easy to read and durable.
- Acrylic Humidors aren’t susceptible to mold or fungi like hard plastic humidors and most other types of Spanish cedar humidifying chests.
- This acrylic is waterproof and doesn’t absorb moisture from the air, making it suitable for storing cigars that are made with tobacco that tends to mold or become desiccated (dry out).
Other Important Features
Design: Jars And Boxes
Although these humidors come in a variety of shapes, their basic design consists primarily of a box or jar with a lid that sits on the top. The humidor contains a small compartment inside where you can fit your cigars and/or other items.
Airtight Seal
The airtight seal not only protects your cigars from damage but also prevents odors from escaping.
Temperature Control
Most Acrylic Humidors come equipped with a thermostat. The digital hygrometer has a built-in thermometer that monitors and controls the desired humidity level of the cigars. In other words, your “smart” humidor automatically keeps the inside of the humidor at a case humidity level so that your cigars don’t get damaged or even ruined by external factors (such as heat from sunlight or open windows).
Chemical Smell
Some new humidors will have a chemical smell (like paint) when you first receive them. This smell is completely normal and should not last longer than a few days. All you have to do is air the humidor out for 5 or 6 hours before putting your cigars in it.
UV Absorption
Have you ever experienced the typical “new cigar” smell that some people say they can’t stand? Well, it’s no surprise that this could be a problem. But this shouldn’t be a problem with an Acrylic Cigar Cabinet or Carousel from Z-Cigars. Because of the UV coating that is applied to your cabinet, this and any other nasty aromas will be contained within the cabinet and you won’t have to worry about it in your house for long! This makes it perfect for the avid collector or person who wants a beautiful piece of furniture with which to display their cigars.
Durability
This type of cigar storage won’t rot, crack, warp, or fall apart. It is designed to be used over and over again. This can save you money in the long run.
Types Of Acrylic Humidor
Continuous Cast Humidor
This type of humidor is a jar with a lid that sits on top. The seal between the jars and lid prevents outside air molecules from affecting the inside of your humidor. What this means for you is that your cigars will stay at a specific humidity level throughout the entire year without you ever having to worry about it!
Cell Cast Humidor
The difference between this type of humidor and the previous one is that the interior compartment can be filled by placing material into it (such as beads or small coins) and then sealing it up with a plastic cap. This cap not only helps provide a tight seal but also a custom fit for the humidification device you choose to put in there.
Maintenance Of Acrylic Humidor
Seasonal Maintenance
How often you have to perform seasonal maintenance depends on the size and type of humidor that you have. The amount of time it takes to maintain a pond effect humidor (the most commonly used type in Cigar storage) can be anywhere between one and two months depending on the size of the cigar in there. On the other hand, a cabinet model won’t need as much attention because it produces its humidity level naturally.
Occasional Maintenance
Maintaining your humidor is relatively simple. This can be as simple as scrubbing down the inside of the humidor to keep it clean and free from debris. Also, keeping a few water bottles filled with water in there next to your cigars will help keep them fresh and moist. The reason for doing this is because the wood and glass can absorb the moisture from the air into themselves. This makes it hard for oxygen to reach your cigars and therefore may cause them to dry out while they are inside. This can damage or even ruin them if it happens too often or for too long of a period.
Price Of An Acrylic Humidor
It is sold at different prices depending on its size, design, and quality. They range from $70 to $1,500. It is known to be used with different types of materials such as coal, beads, and gel packs to keep the humidity level of the cigars stored inside in a constant environment all year round; however, these can be rather expensive and harbor bacteria when not properly cared for.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of storing your cigars in an acrylic cigar humidor as opposed to a plastic storage container. In this article, we discussed the benefits of using acrylic cigar humidors, how to maintain them, and the difference between different types. We hope that this article is useful for you, and provides you with the information necessary to make an informed decision about your cigar storage method.