Steve Saka Reveals: The Ultimate Cigar Storage Mistakes to Avoid

I have made A LOT of videos on cigar storage for you all. I've been a passionate cigar lover for 20 years. But if you REALLY want the insider scoop on how to perfectly maintain a collection, there are few people better to teach you than Steve Saka. He is a cigar industry veteran of 30 years! Most notably, today he is the owner of Dunbarton Cigars - one of the cigar world's favorite elite cigar brands. His cigars are known as some of the highest quality blends available.
In this video, I'll pick his brain about everything from ideal humidity, to humidor style, to traveling with cigars. He dives deep into his considerable experience to show us what decades of success and failure have taught him about keeping cigars in perfect condition for the best experience with every light up.
cigarsdaily #cigarsdailynation

[@darrinhorton]

Love how Steve catches himself about to puff at the end. Did his best to abide by Tim. Sad that KZbin has made anyone doing cigar content so nervous. Great video!

[@MidEnginedFan]

??? Actually smoking a cigar in a cigar video is not allowed? Is it a demonitization or "adult content"-only type of restriction?

[@chrismitchell6001]

Who knows. KZbin is becoming the definition of censorship.

[@randc47]

Wait, is that a thing now? Ugh!

[@cannonhays1062]

Love it when Steve comes on, wish you could get him to do a weekly spot. Ok, monthly would be awesome too. Would also love to see his personal humidor.

[@rjwlodarczyk1583]

Dam!!! Steve Saka is the man. Very informative and smart when it comes to cigars. And yeah he makes some pretty dam good cigars too

[@dasmith7570]

Look...one of your best vids ever, seriously!

[@CigarsDaily]

Yeah, I get comments like this whenever Saka is on. lol! He always brings his A game. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@xxguitarguy05xx]

All the things said rang so true! Only been smoking cigars seriously for the last year, i bought an electric coolidor and day one was super happy, and after about 6 months i just realized the “250”cigar storage size wasn’t really big enough and not in the sense that im packing 250 sticks in there, but rather the shelves are so small and not constructed so great that ur cigars fall out and on to the the floor from being stacked so high on top of each other, and now i just feel like i need a bigger unit to properly store what i have. Great episode, always love watching Steve, you can tell hes not uptight and pretentious about cigars and thats awesome!

[@CigarsDaily]

Yes, Steve is pretty much himself in any situation. And I can always count on him to bring a pragmatic and well through through approach to any cigar topic. Glad you enjoyed the video! I still have more coming out form his visit to the HQ!

[@JamesLemoineII]

I met Steve Saka today at my local lounge in Idaho. Great guy with a cool background. I already loved Dunbarton cigars but now I appreciate them more.

[@barrystephens900]

What a great video, thank you so much for this, I’m definitely the guy that stresses over my storage, way too much.

[@penvzila]

Steve Saka owes my business to Skip Martin. Because I messaged him about his cigars not drawing properly YEARS ago, he educated me on humidity (I was overhumidifying) and all of a sudden I started loving his and Steve's cigars whereas in the past I thought they tasted like crap and barely drew. It was a night and day difference. I was about ready to stop smoking cigars altogether. Thank you Skip! I am sure Steve would have given me the same information, it just happened to be Skip Be careful of plastic tupperdores offgassing and making your cigars taste like plastic. The name brand, expensive ones with gaskets are generally OK if thoroughly washed with dish soap first. But if you get a bad one it can ruin a lot of cigars. What I have also learned, is to not store a ton of cigars.

[@MikeStrasburg-y7c]

Thanks for asking about the humidity, especially with adjusting for thicker tobaccos.

[@jefflenox9582]

Best conversation that I have seen regarding storage. Steve just tells it like it is. Relax, enjoy your cigars, there isn't any magic here. I loved how he related it to how we raise number 3 kid vs. number 1......lol. Never smoked anything by Dunbarton but, for sure, they are now on my short list. Thanks for the great content!

[@MidEnginedFan]

Wow, this was one of your best educational vids! I'm forwarding this to my buddy who is new-ish to cigars as something he needs to watch.

[@CigarsDaily]

Thank you! I hope your friend gets as much out of it as it sounds like you have. Saka was shocked that I wanted to talk about this in this video, clearly it was the right topic!

[@aldemirbaldbeardiful8635]

Hope to see Saka tomorrow here in Oahu, Hi

[@postmodernpictures]

I’d recommend a Daniel Marshall wooden desktop humidor. With a Boveda 320 gram at 69 or 72 RH, temperature fluctuations are minimal, and it’s a solid, heavy box.

[@Rayscigarlounge]

This was very informative! I didn't know how detrimental vacuum sealing cigars hindered the cigar that much! 😮

[@kcorella89]

I live in AZ and gave up trying to use wood humidors and now just use a large Tupperware with a rubber seal and boveda packs and have never had problems

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Can I ask you how you control the temp inside the tupperdor? I'm in California and the temp in my tupperdor sometimes gets up to low 80s. lol I had one cigar with beatle larvae's hatch in it. Did not affect the rest of my cigars but just wondering. I just swap around ice packs and that's the best I can do. Would grately appreciate any other ideas to keep the tupperdor cool.

[@kcorella89]

@@Eric-dd8bk I would say find the darkest coolest spot in your house to try to store them. If your house is too warm to be able to do that you might need to look into one of the humidors that control temp as well. Also Boveda packs do a great job of controlling my humidity to the point I just stick a couple in my tupperdor and don't even measure the humidity anymore.

[@nachodaisuki91]

​@@kcorella89 Eric here. Thank you for getting back. I use 65% Bovedas for humidity so that's not an issue but the biggest issue is the temp. So I guess I will just have to get by with what I had been doing. Swapping out ice packs inside the tupperdor. And freezing cigars I get for about 2 days. Thank you for your help regardless. Maybe I can get some of the battery run small fans and install them in my tupperdor to move around the cold air from the ice packs a little better

[@captainforrix956]

I live in PA, and I kind of gave up on the wooden humidor boxes last year in favor of a collection of humidor jars and boveda packs. With how hot the summers get and cold the winters get, spending a few bucks to keep the sticks in good shape is worth it

[@dontrip9103]

That freezer idea is genius lol

[@clausellray3949]

Great Contant guys keep it, question I live in Arizona. What humidor do you recommend? Thanks.

[@CigarsDaily]

This is where Saka and I differ a bit. He says that thermoelectric humidors can lead to running out of space. Personally, I really like them for the temperature control. He says a big cooler or freezer is good... but in AZ temp can be a real issue, even indoors. If you let your house get warmer during the day while you're at work, I'd recommend the thermoelectric.

[@damonslazyk8724]

Sitting in Daytona, no power, streets flooded, watching a video about cigar storage and smoking a Camacho Connecticut.

[@CigarsDaily]

BRO! Glad you're safe! Best of luck with recovery... and keeping the humidity down in your humidor!

[@damonslazyk8724]

@@CigarsDaily thanks, I’m already back to work today. The west side got it a lot worse. If I open my humidor for a few seconds the Govee shoots up to 78.

[@penvzila]

Sin Compromiso originally didn't have cellophane, and I got a box where every single cigar was damaged (the retailer replaced it). So I don't blame you for mandating cello!

[@sugelanren]

I get my humidor from the local home store, when I get a box (usually I get 5 of this,and 10 of that), I use the cedar sheet to line and clear plastic. Works fine for an amateur like me

[@ChristIsLord7]

Do you separate your cigars in your freezer/cooler or tuber ware humidor? Could flavors mix when storing them all together next/ontop of each other in the same humidor. I am leaving cyllo plastic wrapper on.

[@MrGibsn1960]

One thing to account for when using vacuum is that the boiling point for water drastically reduces as it's put under a vacuum. I don't know the full effect of absorbed moisture and cigars in particular, but it makes sense to me that this is the reason vacuum sealing doesn't quite work.

[@hussainrajab6437]

Nice info

[@RonMack07]

Boveda works for temp control too I shoot for 62-65 relative humidity 70°-75° I try for consistency at lower humidity I don't have burn problems I live in Florida so it's hot here 9 months of the year inside with the a/c that we use year round it's 45 percent relative humidity, I also dry box everything I get for at least a couple of days some of the P.O. trucks can get up to 130° in the summer

[@Aleskoo100]

Stay safe brother

[@rlmvince9146]

Best analogy ever cigar years and baby 1-2-3 😂

[@ronhuha502]

So layed back, we should take note

[@SGslaya]

I use tupperdors with 69% Bovedas it usually keeps around 70/70 it's worked great for 8 years but I smoke heavier blends. I'm wondering about switching to the 65s 🧐 Edit: never had mold or beetles or anything

[@pankinyek]

I was keeping my cigars around 70% but switched to 66-67% and it feels like they smoke much nicer! I have 65 and 69% Bovedas together and it ends up being 66-67 at all times.

[@SGslaya]

@pankinyek thanks I'm up for a new round of Bovedas I'm going to switch to 65s the temp in my room stays 68-70 consistently. I get heavier bodied cigars delivered occasionally I can tell they're a little less moist they do smoke better.

[@emoutdoors5661]

Pelican case with a 65 Boveda gets me a steady 67. 👌💨

[@dougieh9676]

Love cigars ❤

[@omarpatriotsfan606]

Dunbarton is numero uno.

[@LordNotlek]

The coolerdor and boveda would be my go to if I had the self control to keep boxes of cigars stocked. Since I have the self control of a toddler I stick with wood humidor and boveda packs and a couple 5 packs of premiums 😂

[@CigarsDaily]

well, if you prescribe to the value of 'know thyself', then it sounds like you're pursuing that. I have not been as successful. I started with a desktop humidor... now I have 250k sticks on hand, and I spend all my time making videos about them. So you certainly gotta be careful! lol

[@LordNotlek]

@@CigarsDaily oh man 😂

[@phil15450]

I was able to get a year ago the new air humidor 250 count I believe the club edition on sale for 200 bucks and it was a big step up from the plastic containers. But for anyone not wanna to break banks I read some great things on the king chii thermo electric humidor and they are very inexpensive.

[@buffalobob870]

I find an ammo box with a good seal works quite well and is pretty affordable too

[@boilatyourownrisk9174]

Would really like to know for heavier cigars if I’m keeping 63/65% humidity what’s a good temperature for them? Please let me know thanks

[@CigarsDaily]

I think what Steve said about temps in the video rings pretty true. The range of temps is a bit broader than the range for humidity. The thing to remember is that humidity is relative. As long as you're in a safe temp range, you'll just keep in mind that colder air has a harder time holding onto humidity than warmer air, but room temp is typically pretty safe.

[@groovygator1]

It would have been nice to know if Steve keeps his cello on his stogies in his humidors.....or take them out of the cello and let them condition for a while.

[@Allthesmallteas]

I have about 300 cigars, i am thinking about buying the Afidano 850 or 1200. If i dont fill it up to will it still keep humidity properly or is it better to go with something smaller until im ready for a 1200 or somthing?

[@ToLow1921]

Yes what about temp control I have a winedor but only goes up to 66 degrees what humidity should I be at

[@Eric-dd8bk]

You should be around at 65 to 70 percent humidity. And if you can't keep the temp perfectly at 70f, lower by few degrees is better than higher, cuz you can run into molds or beatle hatching issues.

[@Finis08]

You can use a chamber sealer which has flat bags and is more controllable than a cheap vacuum sealer.

[@lukemartineau8590]

I haven’t made it through the whole video so it might come out after I comment. But has Steve ever tried vacuum sealing a box of cigars? That seems like it might take away all of the effects but I know nothing compared to him

[@whiskeytiers]

Never considered air tight wraps before, interesting

[@thorny3218]

Use a mason jar with humidifier I make myself for pennies. It basically keeps moisture indefinitely until I open it or add cigars. Almost free humidor. I simply leave it cracked until It lowers to where I want then seal it up. Then wait a day or so to see if the humidity changes. It usually stays pretty stable. I don’t smoke a lot of cigars though. Mostly a pipe smoker. That baccy is easy to store. Just throw it in a mason jar and you’re good for years. I have a cigar once a week or so at cards. It’s easier to smoke than a pipe while busy. I’m also a horrible person because I smoke strong tobacco and also aromatics on occasion. I store all the cigars together too. I know, sue me. 😂

[@bigdawg1009]

A year ago you had issues with your large humidor with humidification and the electric humidifier you had in it. You said you were going to install three 320 gram Bovedas to see if that would controll it and would report on it later. While you made a few humidification videos since, you never followed up on the results of using Bovedas to control humification in the large humidor. What gives?

[@MulatoLoco]

A large Sistema containers with 3-4 65RH Bovedas from Amazon is the way to go. Cheap and worry free.

[@Stanley1967-s8k]

62% Boveda packs get me at 65% consistently 👍🏼

[@RevolverOcelot79]

Agreed. Always choose the humidity level just below the humidity level you're actually wanting.

[@Aleskoo100]

@@RevolverOcelot79noticed that aswell… I have a desktop humidor with a 62 boveda and the humidty fluctuates between 65-66%. And that is a cheap one from China with a glass top, but Boveda really holds the humidity perfectly

[@scottcavaness2434]

I do have to say I had no clue you were in Az. I’ll have to stop by some time. I haven’t smoked cigars for long. The one thing I find that I like is, I’m willing to try any cigar, not sure if it’s a newbie’s thing. I look at is I’m learning the different taste palettes that cigars give off. Glad I for your page. Do you have an instagram?

[@CigarsDaily]

I do have an insta. Its Cigarsdailyofficial. And liking lots of different cigars is certainly NOT a newbie thing. I think over the last few decades, cigars have gone through big changes. Cigar makers are experimenting more, which has produced a much broader range of different blends and experiences. These days we're in the craft beer era of cigars. So I think it's natural that any serious aficionado is trying lots of different things. Hell, none of us are in a monogamous relationship with cigars. This hobby is more about casual hookups! ;)

[@loungeisalivecigars]

I threw put my hygrometers probably about fifteen years ago. The obsessing over them is ridiculous lol.

[@theodorewilfong2nd349]

It seems like if ya had something to put the cigars like a cedar frame and some foam the vacuum sealing would be an ok idea

[@extention774]

I suppose that the vacuum sealed bag can do the job. You only need to put a frame or a box or whatever that prevents cigars to be pressed. If you think people conserve and preserve food in this way..

[@joshel7640]

What about vacuum sealing a new box?

[@CigarsDaily]

That's fine. As long as the box doesn't compromise the vaccum seal bag, you won't damage the cigars I think. go crazy.

[@jjbishop134]

I'm enjoying more flavors out of my Nicaragua blends around 62% to 65% Humidity.

[@CigarsDaily]

Much agreed!

[@seanking83]

What about temp control ?

[@richluvsellie1]

Put it on marinate mode where it just seals the bag...I do it all the time

[@Fortjul]

Yeah I agree also is Steve losing weight?

[@CigarsDaily]

Hell yeah! he's doing great. and we like that because we want Saka around for a long time.

[@gaterboy1369]

Hit that thumbs up

[@ramonjrusa]

Can cigar boxes be used as humidors?

[@brite_luddite]

Usually not. I do keep the box inside a tupperdor however. Boxes are generally not tight enough on their own.

[@penvzila]

70/70 *and* v-cutting?

[@simonhenry3815]

woah - has Steve been working out? He's looking lean and mean!

[@alcontv4133]

I wanted to add some piece of information regarding humidity levels but this is specifically to cuban cigars. There's this miss information going around that cubans cigars have declined in construction quality because at times they don't burn even,or are plugged,etc.. But what people don't know is that cuban cigars are better off kept in the low 60's. 64,65. You keep them near 70-71 and they start burning uneven or get plugged. I am sure this is the reason why some people have had these bad experiences.

[@CocoboloCowboy]

Typical Tim, and Steve interaction, and exchange of info . I always go out of way to watch what I call the Steve, and Tim show. Always pickup a piece or two of info I did not know. These guy are so generous with their wealth of Cigar info. Steve did the typical Steve thing in this discussion of Temperature and Relativity Humidity to story your Cigar at. Also explaining in the typical no BS Steve style, what is important, what is total nonsense, what is being to OCD, and last with what I call Steve’s words of wisdom. Man understand the KIS Principal, and if you did not get a laugh of two in this latest Steve and Tim Video, you should check to see if you have a pulse.

[@TheWhiskeyDrinker]

Wait hear me out, cellophane sheets and thin cedar slices to protect the shape of the cigars.

[@xfakter17]

People stress too much over storage. They aren't as sensitive as everyone thinks. I say it and I'm a moron who doesn't know anything. Saka says it and he's the man speaking gospel lol

[@stringsolid5227]

what if you put the cigars in an open tubo and vacuseal it? Would they hold their shape?

[@clausellray3949]

Great Contant guys keep it, question I live in Arizona. What humidor do you recommend? Thanks.

[@ChristIsLord7]

Do you separate your cigars in your freezer/cooler or tuber ware humidor? Could flavors mix when storing them all together next/ontop of each other in the same humidor. I am leaving cyllo plastic wrapper on.