Which materials make the best humidors?

Spanish cedar wood used as a lining for humidors offers a variety of advantages compared to other types of wood: retaining and distributing moisture; protection from tobacco beetles; and enhancing the maturation process of cigars. However, humidors made entirely of solid cedar wood are generally not recommended.

Today, humidors of all price classes are manufactured almost exclusively with an MDF core. There are good reasons behind this. Humidors are exposed to great fluctuations in terms of moisture content and for solid wood this means a significant risk that the wood will warp over time. Spanish cedar is also a very soft wood. Humidors made entirely of Spanish cedar are easily damaged. Over time too, Spanish cedar wood can develop a sticky coating on its surface, a process referred to as resinification. This resin often cannot be removed without leaving marks behind. With wood up to 10 mm thick, this can usually be minimized by adequate drying of the wood in furnaces prior to production. With a thicker wood, the likelihood of developing these sticky secretions increases disproportionately, running the risk of ruining the outer surface.

The ideal humidor construction consists of an MDF core with an interior lining of Spanish cedar. The Spanish cedar wood should be at least 2 mm thick for its inherent benefits to come into play. Many humidors, unfortunately, often use an inner veneer which is much too thin. Other wooden elements, such as shelves or partitions within the humidor, should also be made from Spanish cedar. Please refer back to our comments on Spanish cedar wood in humidor construction.