Guard cigar mellow: cigar thermostat, cigar lover's "private wine cellar"

        For cigar lovers, a good cigar is not only a double enjoyment of taste and smell, but also an artistic treasure precipitated by time. However, the "vitality" of cigars is extremely fragile, and there are almost strict requirements on the temperature and humidity of the storage environment-too high a temperature will easily lead to the loss of oil and flavor of eggplant clothes, while too low a temperature will make cigars dry and burn poorly; Too much humidity may breed mold, and too little will make cigars lose their elasticity and fragrance. At this time, a professional cigar thermostat has become a "private wine cellar" to protect this fragrance, so that every cigar can "breathe" quietly in an ideal environment, waiting for the best time to smoke.
First, cigar thermostat: not only a "storage box", but also a "growth space" for cigars.
        Many people mistakenly think that the cigar thermostat is just a "temperature-controlled cabinet", but it is not. The professional cigar thermostat is a set of "micro-ecosystem" which integrates multiple functions such as precise temperature control, stable humidity control, ventilation circulation and ultraviolet protection. Its core goal is to simulate the natural environment of Cuban cigar cellar, which is also the most suitable storage condition for cigars (temperature 18-20℃, humidity 65%-75%).
In this "growing space", cigars will not be stored at rest, but will be slowly alcoholized: the tobacco leaves in the eggplant core will continue to release aroma substances, the flavors of different tobacco leaves will blend with each other, and the impurities will gradually evaporate, which will eventually make the cigar taste more mellow and smooth. Without the professional protection of the thermostat, even if it is stored for a short time, the slight fluctuation of the external environment may interrupt this process and make a cigar that could have bloomed brilliantly become a "defective product". For example, when the room temperature exceeds 25℃ in summer, the oil under the cigar eggplant coat will accelerate the seepage, which will not only affect the appearance, but also make it bitter when burning; In winter, when the humidity in the air-conditioned room is lower than 40%, cigars will lose water quickly, and it is easy to "burn obliquely" and "explode ash" when smoking, and the aroma will become thin and pungent.
Second, the core function of professional cigar thermostat: indispensable "guard password"
To judge whether a cigar thermostat is professional, we should focus on the following four core functions, which together constitute the "password" for guarding cigars:
1. Precise temperature control: 1℃ stability, rejecting temperature fluctuation.
High-quality cigar thermostat adopts variable frequency compressor (instead of constant frequency compressor of ordinary refrigerator), and with multiple groups of temperature sensors, it can control the temperature in the cabinet within the golden range of 18-20℃, and the fluctuation does not exceed 1℃. This stable temperature environment can prevent cigars from "dewing" alternately due to cold and heat (moisture condenses on the surface of eggplant coat, which is easy to cause mold), and at the same time ensure that the alcoholization process is carried out at a uniform speed-the alcoholization speed will be accelerated by 10% for every 1℃ increase in temperature, and too fast alcoholization will make cigars lose their delicate layering.
2. Stable humidity control: physical humidification and rejection of chemical odor.
Humidity control is the "soul" of cigar storage. Professional thermostats use physical humidification methods (such as honeycomb humidification cotton and natural sponge humidification box) instead of chemical humidifiers (which are easy to release odor and pollute cigars). Some high-end models will also be equipped with a humidity balance system to stabilize the humidity at 65%-75% by intelligently adjusting the humidification frequency: if the humidity is lower than 60%, the humidification system will automatically start to replenish water; If it is higher than 80%, the linked ventilation system will exhaust moisture to prevent mold growth. In addition, the humidity in the cabinet should match the temperature-for every 1℃ increase in temperature, the humidity should be increased by 2%-3% to ensure the stability of the moisture content of cigars (the ideal moisture content is 12%-15%).
3. 360 ventilation cycle: let each cigar "breathe" evenly.
The lack of ventilation in the cabinet will lead to local temperature and humidity imbalance. Cigars near the humidification port may be too wet, while those far away may be too dry. The professional thermostat has a built-in silent fan and several groups of ventilation holes to form a 360-degree circulating airflow, so that the temperature and humidity in every corner of the thermostat are consistent. At the same time, the ventilation system can also discharge the trace carbon dioxide and peculiar smell produced in the process of cigar alcoholization, so as to provide a fresh "breathing" environment for cigars and avoid flavor pollution.
4. Anti-ultraviolet and light-proof design: guarding the "vitality" of eggplant clothes
Cigar eggplant coat is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet rays. Long-term exposure to sunlight will lead to eggplant coat fading, oil loss and even affect the flavor of internal tobacco leaves. Therefore, the doors of professional cigar thermostats mostly use brown or black tempered glass (which can block more than 99% of ultraviolet rays), and some models will also set a shading layer in the cabinets to completely isolate external light. In addition, the cabinets are mostly made of stainless steel or environmentally friendly plates, and there is no paint or glue on the surface to avoid releasing harmful substances to pollute cigars.
Third, how to buy a cigar thermostat? Starting from "demand" and avoiding three major misunderstandings
Facing the dazzling array of cigar thermostats in the market, enthusiasts need not blindly pursue "high price", but only start from their own needs and focus on the following three points to avoid the misunderstanding of purchasing:
1. Capacity: match the collection and reserve "room for growth"
The capacity of the cigar thermostat is in units of "number" (such as 50, 100, 300, 500, etc.). When purchasing, the current collection quantity should be considered, and 20%-30% of the space should be reserved (for increasing the collection in the future, or avoiding the influence of cigar overcrowding on ventilation). For example, if the daily consumption is small and the collection is less than 50 pieces, you can choose a desktop thermostat with a capacity of 50-100 pieces (small size, suitable for study and living room); Fans with a collection of more than 200 cigarettes and long-term aging needs need to choose a vertical thermostat (with large capacity and reasonable layered design, cigars of different brands and sizes can be classified and stored).
2. Core configuration: frequency conversion+physical humidification is preferred.
When purchasing, please confirm the core configuration: whether the compressor is variable frequency (fixed frequency compressor is easy to cause large temperature fluctuation and high noise), whether the humidification method is physical humidification (to avoid the odor risk of chemical humidification), and whether it is equipped with an independent temperature and humidity display screen (to facilitate real-time monitoring). In addition, some high-end models will also add practical functions such as "defogging function" (to avoid the fog on the cabinet door affecting observation), "password lock" (to prevent children from touching or others from taking it by mistake), and "remote control of mobile APP" (to check the temperature and humidity in real time and give an alarm automatically in case of abnormal conditions), which can be selected according to their own budget.
3. Avoid misunderstanding: don't choose "refitting refrigerator" and refuse "low-priced and inferior products"
Some merchants in the market have converted ordinary refrigerators into "cigar thermostats". There are two fatal problems in this kind of products: First, the temperature control accuracy of refrigerators is low (the fluctuation can reach above 3℃), and the dehumidification ability is too strong, which easily leads to the loss of water for cigars; Second, there is no professional humidification system in the refrigerator, and forcibly installing a humidification box will lead to uneven humidity, which will lead to mold. In addition, low-priced and inferior thermostats may use inferior plates (releasing odor such as formaldehyde) and non-silent fans (excessive noise affects life), which not only cannot protect cigars, but may also cause economic losses.
Fourth, the use and maintenance of cigar thermostat: the details determine the mellow.
After having a professional cigar thermostat, proper use and maintenance can further prolong its life and ensure the storage effect of cigars:
1. First use: "Empty cabinet debugging" is indispensable.
After receiving the new thermostatic cabinet, it is necessary to remove the foam and protective film in the package, let it stand for 24 hours (to stabilize the refrigerant in the compressor), and then turn on the empty cabinet, set the temperature to 19℃ and humidity to 70%, and run for 48 hours. During this period, it is necessary to observe the temperature and humidity display screen several times to confirm whether the fluctuation is within 1℃ and 5%. If it is stable, cigars can be put in. If the fluctuation is too large, you need to contact after-sales debugging.
2. cigar placement: "hierarchical classification", refusing to squeeze.
When putting in cigars, cigars of different brands and sizes should be placed in layers (cigar boxes and Cedar wooden pallet can be used) to avoid direct contact with the cabinet (to prevent local uneven temperature and humidity). At the same time, do not fill the cabinet with cigars, and reserve 10%-15% space for air circulation; If a cigar box is used, a small amount of cedar chips should be placed in the box (the natural aroma of cedar wood can assist alcoholization and inhibit the growth of mold).
3. Daily maintenance: "Regular inspection+cleaning"
Temperature and humidity inspection: the temperature and humidity display screen should be observed once or twice a day. If the humidity is lower than 65%, the moisture of the humidified cotton should be replenished in time (pure water should be used to avoid mineral water and tap water to prevent mineral residues from blocking the humidification hole); If the temperature is abnormal, it is necessary to check whether the compressor is running normally and whether the ventilation hole is blocked.
Cleaning the cabinet: it is necessary to clean the cabinet once a month with power off, wipe the dust and cigar crumbs in the cabinet with a dry cloth, and the humidified cotton can be taken out, washed with pure water and dried before use; The sealing strip of the cabinet door should be wiped regularly with a damp cloth to avoid dust accumulation affecting the sealing performance.
Long-term idle: If you don't use it for a long time, you need to take out all cigars first, clean the cabinet after power failure, close the cabinet door after drying (leave a small gap to prevent the sealing strip from being deformed due to long-term extrusion), and put it in a dry and ventilated environment.
Conclusion: Every good cigar deserves to be carefully guarded.
For cigar lovers, the cigar thermostat is not only a "storage tool", but also a "bridge" for dialogue with cigars-it guards the fragrance and vitality of each cigar with accurate temperature and humidity and stable environment, so that we can still taste the most authentic and delicate flavor of tobacco leaves after months and years. Just as aged wine needs a high-quality wine cellar, a good cigar deserves to be carefully guarded by a professional thermostat. Choose a cigar thermostat that suits you, so that every smoking becomes an unforgettable taste feast.