Whether you're a newbie to cigars or a seasoned old hand, you're probably aware that they need to be stored properly. Traditionally, cigars have been stored in humidors for safekeeping. But have you heard of tupperdors? These containers can be easily equipped to keep your cigars fresh. How do they measure up to humidors? We researched both methods of cigar storage from professional sources, so you'll know which one to choose.
Humidors and tupperdors will both keep cigars safely stored. The differences you should be aware of are:
- A humidor can be a pricey investment, while a tupperdor will cost a few dollars.
- A tupperdor will need to be built while a humidor comes already constructed.
- A humidor can be viewed as a table fixture or a piece of furniture, while a tupperdor isn't aesthetically appealing.
- A tupperdor is meant for shorter-term storage, whereas a well-maintained humidor can keep cigars for years.
Now that we know the differences between them, we'll break them down further to help you make your decision. You might also be wondering how to build a tupperdor, or if cigars will age inside of one. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
Humidor Versus Tupperdor
Make no mistake about it—both methods of storing your cigars will work well in keeping them fresh. When it comes to deciding between a humidor or a tupperdor, there are several factors to consider. Your budget, the importance of aesthetics, and more will impact the method you choose.
We've broken down the differences to help you come to your own conclusions. Consider the following carefully, prioritize your needs, and the decision will make itself.
The cost between the two is substantially noticeable
If budget is an issue, you'll be happy to know that a tupperdor can be constructed for less than $50. Later on in this post, we'll go through all of the steps to take to build your own. You should know that they cost much less than the majority of humidors on the market.
A humidor can cost as little as $20 and as much as several thousand. It just depends on the size, brand, quality, and what bells and whistles you want with it. At the end of the day, you can get a decent one for around $200.
But the cost isn't the only thing that separates humidors from tupperdors. Read on and discover more!
Ready-made versus do-it-yourself
The great thing about humidors is that they are generally ready to go. You'll still need to replace humidity packs every so often, of course. But once they are set up, you can pop your cigar collection inside and not have the hassle of constructing one.
Tupperdors require a little bit of effort on your part to prepare. They aren't difficult to create but will require some shopping and a little bit of your time.
A humidor is a fixture you can admire
A good humidor is almost like a cherished piece of furniture. A humidor may be a solid oak piece built for a desktop or tabletop. It can be a great accent piece for any study, library, or living room. Larger models that stand on four legs can be classified as furniture and fill a corner or long wall. They are decorative pieces that are aesthetically pleasing.
Tupperdors are pieces of modified Tupperware. They really don't look that great on a nice walnut desktop or on top of the table in your study.
How long do you need to keep your cigars?
As long as you keep your humidity level in check inside the humidor, these boxes will allow your cigars to age safely for years and years. Cigar aficionados worldwide use the cedar-lined walls within them to develop richer, more complex flavors for their cigars as time goes by.
Tupperdors will keep your cigars fresh, and they can certainly be equipped with cedar. But they aren't great for storing cigars for years on end like a humidor. We'll talk more about aging a cigar inside plastic later in this post. Just know for now that tupperdors are much more suited for shorter-term storage.
How To Build A Tupperdor
Making a tupperdor will take a little bit of time, but it's a minimal investment. To get started, make sure you have all of the supplies you need. It will take a trip to the grocery store and your favorite cigar shop.
To make a tupperdor, you'll need the following:
- A Tupperware or similar storage container
- One hygrometer
- Humidity packs
- Sheets of cedar
Once you have your supplies in place, you can begin constructing the tupperdor. You'll be done in a flash!
Wash the Tupperware
Gently hand wash the Tupperware container. Brand new ones still need to get that "new" plastic smell out of them so that it doesn't permeate your cigars when they are stored. Hand dry before moving on to the next step. Don't forget to wash the lid!
We should also point out that the container you use should be brand new. Even though you've washed the Tupperware, containers that have held food in them can still have food particles and aromas (no matter how slight) that can greatly alter the odor and taste of your cigars. So be sure the one you are building with has NEVER been used.
Put the cedar lining inside
The cedar lining will work in two ways. It will help age the cigars some. But it is also used as a divider.
A good cedar divider will help you keep your cigars a bit more organized.
Fill with cigars
Now that your cedar dividers are in place feel free to begin adding your cigars. It's important to leave plenty of room for air, however. We suggest only filling the tupperdor to a maximum of 75% capacity.
Place the hygrometer and humidity packs inside
The humidity packs are crucial. They will keep the cigars from drying out. Without them, you'll find that your collection has quickly grown stale and brittle.
The hygrometer will let you monitor the humidity level. Keep the humidity in an acceptable range and modify the number of humidity packs as needed for best results.
Seal tightly
Once everything is in place, could you seal the tupperdor tightly? This keeps the humidity stay in and keeps outside air and contaminants out.
You'll note that the container is clear or mostly translucent. Light is the enemy of an aging cigar. So be sure to store the tupperdor in a dark spot at room temperature. Extreme temperatures will impact the precious cigars you have stored inside the tupperdor.
Maintain
Check the hygrometer weekly. Change out the humidity packs as needed. We also recommend opening up the tupperdor once every two weeks (whether you've gotten into it to grab a cigar or not) and letting it fully air out for a few moments.
Will Cigars Age Inside A Tupperdor?
You're probably aware that a humidor is a great way to store cigars and allow them to age. We mentioned earlier in this post that these containers can keep great cigars for years, maintaining their freshness while allowing the cedar lining to work its magic.
Tupperdors are constructed with plastic. Over time, plastic can have an impact on the quality of the cigar that it keeps. The cedar lining will certainly help combat this but not forever.
Tupperdors are an inexpensive way to keep cigars fresh and smokable for the short term. We don't recommend using them to age any cigar collection beyond six months.
In Conclusion
Whether you decide on a traditional humidor or build your own tupperdor will depend on how much you want to spend and how long you want to store your cigars. Both methods will keep cigars fresh, but humidors will do so for much longer. Consider the differences between the two carefully and decide which one best suit your needs.
We hope this post on tupperdors has answered your questions. For additional information, we suggest reading the following posts:
How Often Should I Season My Humidor?
How To Get A Cigarette Smell Out Of Leather Furniture [5 Methods]
8 Methods To Get Cigarette Smoke Smell Out Of Fabric Furniture