Cigar 101: How do I check the seal on my humidor?

How a dollar bill can be used to check your humidor’s seal

Your humidor is essentially a home for your cigars. Like your house, it protects from the elements, gives a comfortable, stable climate, and shields your stash from any unpleasantries outside. All of this means that a humidor’s construction is paramount. And even those that look like they’re in tip-top shape may be leaking precious humidity—costing you more in humidification devices. Or worse…ruining your cigars altogether.

So, when Riley wrote us this month asking about humidor seals, we knew it was time to revisit its simple answer with an updated video!

Check out our answer below, and remember that you can submit your inquiry by reaching out to us on Facebook and Instagram or by leaving a comment below!

Cigar Question: How do I check the seal of my humidor?

This month’s question was sent by Riley from Binghamton, NY. He wrote to us asking, “People at the lounge keep talking about checking the seal on my humidor. What is the seal and how do I do that?”

Excellent question, Riley!

The truth is, a humidor isn’t really supposed to seal, at least not in the airtight sense. It’s kind of an oxymoron to even call it a seal. Humidors need airflow in and out, but only just enough to regulate the humidity inside. Too tight and humidity will rise uncontrollably. Too loose and it’ll easily escape. How do you test if your seal is adequate?

It only costs a dollar. And you get to keep your money.

1. Open your humidor and place a dollar bill so that when you close the lid, it’s half inside, and half out.

2. Close the lid.

3. Gently pull on the dollar bill. It should offer some resistance, yet move when tugged on hard enough

4. Repeat these steps on each side of the humidor, as well as near the corners to ensure that you’ve got a good seal all around.

Check out our video answer below for a visual breakdown of how to do the humidor dollar bill test!