You’ve probably heard people suggest storing all sorts of things in the fridge—leftover pizza, takeout, your grandma’s mystery casserole, and maybe, just maybe, your cigars. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can you put cigars in the fridge?” you’re not alone. It seems like a logical move—after all, the fridge keeps things fresh, right? Well, not quite when it comes to cigars. Storing cigars in a fridge is one of those ideas that sounds good in theory but can lead to disaster in practice. Let’s break down why the fridge is no friend to your prized stogies.
Why Cigars Need Proper Storage
Cigars are like fine wine—they need the right conditions to age gracefully. The ideal environment for cigars sits at around 65-72% humidity and 65-70°F. These conditions preserve the cigars’ natural oils, flavor, and structural integrity. In other words, keeping cigars fresh is a delicate balancing act between humidity and temperature.
So, what does a fridge do? Well, fridges are designed to keep things cold and dry. Great for milk and veggies, not so great for cigars. The typical refrigerator sits at around 35-40°F and much lower humidity, usually in the 30-40% range. That’s a fast track to dried-out cigars, cracked wrappers, and flavor that falls flatter than week-old soda.
Cigars in the Fridge: A Recipe for Disaster
While the fridge might seem like a safe bet, storing cigars there leads to more problems than you’d expect. Imagine unwrapping your favorite cigar only to find it has the texture of cardboard. Sounds unpleasant? It gets worse. A fridge’s low humidity will dry out your cigars, robbing them of the oils that make each puff a rich, flavorful experience. Over time, your cigars could become brittle, with wrappers that split the moment you cut them. Not exactly the luxurious smoke you had in mind.
To add insult to injury, fridges also come with temperature fluctuations. Every time the door opens, cold air escapes, and warmer air rushes in. These changes in temperature cause the cigars to expand and contract, further damaging them.
Cigars Absorb What They're Near (Yes, Even Leftovers)
Here’s another fun fact: cigars are absorbent. Like, really absorbent. That beautiful cedar or leathery smell of a well-aged cigar? That’s because cigars soak in the aromas around them. Now, imagine storing them in the fridge next to last night’s Chinese takeout or that forgotten tuna casserole. Yeah, your cigars will absorb those smells too. The next time you light up, don’t be surprised if your prized cigar has a faint whiff of General Tso’s chicken. Not exactly what the blender had in mind when they rolled it, huh?
Why You Probably Shouldn’t Freeze Cigars Either
If the fridge is a bad idea, surely the freezer is worse, right? Actually, freezing cigars is a thing, but—and this is a big but—it’s only ever used as a last resort. Specifically, freezing is typically reserved for one issue: tobacco beetles. These nasty little critters can infest cigars and wreak havoc on your collection. The cold temperatures of a freezer can kill the beetles and their larvae, but it comes at a price.
Freezing cigars can cause the wrappers to crack if the temperature fluctuates too quickly. And let’s not forget—you’ll still be smoking the now-dead bugs that were infesting your cigars. So, while freezing technically solves one problem, it creates several others. Let’s just say, you won’t want to be puffing on a “protein-packed” cigar anytime soon.
The Best Way to Store Cigars: Get a Humidor
Here’s the bottom line: cigars belong in a humidor, not a fridge. A humidor is specifically designed to maintain the right humidity and temperature for your cigars. Whether you opt for a small desktop humidor, a travel humidor, or a larger cabinet humidor, this is the best way to keep your cigars fresh, flavorful, and ready to smoke.
If you don’t have a humidor on hand and need a short-term solution, a sealed plastic bag with a humidity pack will do in a pinch. Some cigar lovers even go for a tupperdor (an airtight container with humidity control), but remember, these are temporary fixes. If you care about your cigars, investing in a quality humidor is a no-brainer.
Conclusion: Skip the Fridge, Invest in a Humidor
In summary, while it might be tempting to stash your cigars in the fridge, doing so is likely to ruin them. Cigars require specific humidity and temperature levels that a fridge simply can’t provide. The fridge will dry them out, subject them to damaging temperature changes, and might even leave them tasting like leftovers. And while freezing cigars can kill tobacco beetles, it also comes with the risk of cracked wrappers and the unpleasant idea of smoking dead bugs. The solution? Stick to a humidor.
So, next time you’re reorganizing your fridge and thinking about slipping your cigars in there, just don’t. Your future self—and your cigars—will thank you.
