I have a question about the spanish cedar in my humidor and I was hoping some of you old pros might help me.
I have three trays in my humi/wineadaor that hold singles. I usually leave the cello on, but many sticks are naked and resting directly on the cedar slats.
How will this affect the cigars?
All the slats were cut from a bigger block of wood, and even though they have been in use for a couple of months, and btw, I aclimated them for a couple of weeks until the RH stabilized, the slats still have a faint cedar odor. Being somewhat of a noob, I can tell the difference in strength and flavor between cigars, but I'm afraid my pallete is just scorched from smoking cigarettes for so many years, and I can't really distinguish the different nuances so many here speak of.
I assume that it will come eventually, but for now I just know what I like, but am unable to describe it. I'm just wondering what if any long term effects there are from the direct exposure to the slats.

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I was considering putting them on the bathroom window sill with the shower running to plump them up a little... whaddya think??

(please don't.... just my guru frank d joke)

I store all the cigars naked and never worry about the cedar.
Just fill it up with more cigars so the cedar absorbs the odors. Dog rockets are good for something ;]
For the time being, you can see if someone has extra cigar boxes they will send you. Store the sticks in the boxes...

Thanks J, actually it is almost full already. I am aquiring quite a nice collection now (thanks to many here) and I just don't want to do anything to mess them up over the long run.

Are you suguesting that I take them off the shelves, and store everything in boxes?

Good to hear! That is the power of the CA forum.
I would leave everything as is. You can start to use the cigar boxes for direct storage if you are noticing heavy cedar traces in your cigars or if they are dry. Or, if you just want to do what's best go ahead and use the boxes. Technically they will keep the cigars better.

One last thing, American cedar is a lot different than Spanish. Are you sure you have spanish?
Where did you get your trays from?

quote:

Originally posted by Ozz1113:
One last thing, American cedar is a lot different than Spanish. Are you sure you have spanish?
Where did you get your trays from?

I got the Cedar from a exotic wood retailer and made the trays myself. I do know the difference between the Spanish, and the Western Red Cedar so that is deffinatly not a problem.
Maybe a compromise??
I will try to put the sticks I am saving long term in boxes, and keep the daily stuff on the trays. Everything is smoking well, so I guess I am trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but again it is the long term effects I am worried about.
Thanks again, I might even root for the Yanks in your honor....NOT!

I don't think you need to worry about the flavors marrying over time(if I understood your question correctly). I also bought a 5 foot piece of Spanish Cedar from a timber seller for my wineador. Although I didn't make trays out of them, I do lay my singles on top of them inside one of the bins.

ImTripN2 as for question...
"I usually leave the cello on, but many sticks are naked and resting directly on the cedar slats.
How will this affect the cigars?"

Well, actually if you have real Spanish Cedar inside the humidor, it might after a while release resins. At least the real Spanish Cedar
would do that. If you have your cigars resting on such a surface, then they might get damaged.

Ya i agree with most of the peoples comments on here as well. As for the cedar leaving a resign. It may if the cedar is fresh and has not been dried properly so if using the cedar you may want to let it dry for a bit as well. I usually leave the cigars how i get them and if they come in a box, I will just open the box up and take what i need leaving the rest in. I do have some singles of course sitting out in the open both in plastic and bare. I do find the bare ones to be kept well in the plastic so i leave them in their. As for the bare ones they do sometimes change a bit by appearance. The tobacco may expand and contract due to the variances of humidity if not kept constant. But there should not be a problem with that. Also if you have an extra cigar box just keep them in their and they would keep fine.