Just read sticky about the How's and Why's of cigar storage

So, I am doing good with the humidity, tends to hover around 70% and I have double checked my analog hygrometer with a digital unit. However, my temps are a bit high. I like my house at 75F and my humidor is not an AC type. So, whatever the house is set at is what my cigars see. Realistically, how long do you think my cigars will last while still producing a good even burn? I get occasional spikes up to 78F in the summer and as low as 72F in the winter if power goes out or I mess with the thermostat for some reason. Will I be susceptible to any other problems? I know this isn't an ideal storage temp but I'm just a low buck amateur at this point. Thanks!

There are two potential issues at that temperature range. Mold growth, simply because its warm and humid, and tobacco beetle larve. The send one you won't see until it is too late. Most manufacturers freeze their sticks prior to shipment from the factory, however that is not always a guarantee. Some people freeze any new purchases at home prior to putting them in their humidor to further help prevent a beetle problem, other simply keep the temp and humidity low enough that they are not likely to hatch.

Many people find a lower RH for storage actually helps the cigars smoke better. This is especially true for any cigars with thicker wrapper leafs.

Use this time to explore singles and five packs, learn what you like then determine how much storage you'll need. Theres a million options to explore though, and most of us out grow our humis and boxes quickly.

Thanks for the tips guys. I just went through my entire collection and checked thoroughly for bettles. All looks good. I closed the ac vent to this room since It's winter and I'm only running the heat this time of year. Also, will be closing the door to this room so this should make a few degree difference. In the summer I will open vent and door to cool it as best possible.

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I recently finished freezing ALL of my cigars just for peace of mind against beetles since my storage temp is around 73f. I just didn't want to take any chances. I haven't read many reports from people who have had a beetle hatch, but I didn't want to be "that" guy.

I was actually going to comment about beetles earlier today. Got home this afternoon and had to make room for a new shipment, and noticed BEETLES in two cigars. My house is old and the AC can't keep up so it get's up above 70 on occasion. Went through everything else and found no signs of beetles, freezing everything just to be safe.

Well, I checked this morning and I was at 72F in the room where I keep my smokes. So, I was able to cool it down another 3 degrees over the house setting of 75F. I am also going to try running 65% RH as you guys recommended for a more even burn and I imagine this will help even more to keep those beetles away. I viewed some pictures online of those nasty critters...can't say that I want to see them around my house or cigars anytime soon. I will start inspecting all future cigar shipments. In fact, I have a little humidor on my coffee table and I will start keeping new cigars in there until I can prove that they don't have any beetles. Again, appreciate all the advice. My cigar investment is nothing compared to some of you guys but for a blue collar fellow it's a lot to me.

" I will start inspecting all future cigar shipments. In fact, I have a little humidor on my coffee table and I will start keeping new cigars in there until I can prove that they don't have any beetles"

A wise first step.

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Originally Posted by goodgollyjosh

Well, I checked this morning and I was at 72F in the room where I keep my smokes. So, I was able to cool it down another 3 degrees over the house setting of 75F. I am also going to try running 65% RH as you guys recommended for a more even burn and I imagine this will help even more to keep those beetles away. I viewed some pictures online of those nasty critters...can't say that I want to see them around my house or cigars anytime soon. I will start inspecting all future cigar shipments. In fact, I have a little humidor on my coffee table and I will start keeping new cigars in there until I can prove that they don't have any beetles. Again, appreciate all the advice. My cigar investment is nothing compared to some of you guys but for a blue collar fellow it's a lot to me.

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Originally Posted by allusred

" I will start inspecting all future cigar shipments. In fact, I have a little humidor on my coffee table and I will start keeping new cigars in there until I can prove that they don't have any beetles"

A wise first step.

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Just as a heads up and speaking from experience, just looking at them won't tell you if there are or will be beetles. After my scare I'll be freezing all new cigars just as a precaution! Better safe than sorry!

Freeze freeze freeze. It is the best insurance you can have. I have frozen and smoked many hundreds of cigars and it has never had a detrimental effect on even one of them. There is only upside no downside. I never let a cigar that I have not personally sent through my freezer into my humi's.

I freeze all incoming cigars, and even returning cigars that may have gone with me on a trip but didn't get smoked (it's common for me to pack 3 or 4 cigars but never get around to smoking any of them). I keep the rh in the low 60s and make no efforts to control temp at all. The room they're in is the temperature they're at. This means up to mid 80's in summer and as low as 60 in winter. I don't know or care how this would affect the cigars over many years of long term aging but I've not had a split wrapper or a beetle outbreak yet and I've been keeping a stash for 4 or 5 years now.