Humidor Construction
• Spanish cedar in Humidors
• Veneer or solid wood
• Air-tight seal of humidor
• Glass- or wooden lid humidors
• Quality criteria of humidors

Humidifier
• Optimum humidity level
• Sponge- or acrly polymer humidifier
• The correct liquid 
• Refilling - how often

Hygrometer
• Digital vs. analog
• Accuracy

Sponge or acryl polymer humidifier

Until recently all humidifiers employed the same simple mechanism. Whether a $1000 brand name humidor or a $60 no-name humidor, all came equipped with a plastic or metal case containing a sponge as a humidifier. The most prominent manufacturer of these humidifiers was the French company Credo. The term Credo is therefore frequently used as a synonym for such sponge-based humidifiers. Since it is not particularly difficult to manufacture these items, they were soon copied by manufacturers in Southeast Asia who offered the humidifiers for a fraction of the price of Credo humidifiers with comparable functionality. When using sponge humidifiers the use of special propylene glycol solutions is recommended, which improves the characteristics of sponge humidifiers.

During the last few years, manufacturers have been experimenting with alternative systems of humidification. Unfortunately, frequently at the expense of the humidor buyer, because even recognized humidor manufacturers offered embryonic systems which did not stand the test of time. Ultimately, only humidifiers based on polymer acryl have become widely established among the various humidor brands as an alternative to the still prevalent sponge-based humidifiers. These humidifiers became specifically known under the brand name "Cigar Keeper" from an American manufacturer. If the correct polymer is used they have the very positive feature of being able to stabilize relative humidity at a level of approximately 70-72% and adjust to fluctuations in the humidity level faster than traditional sponge-based humidifiers. Currently, different manufacturers offer equivalent humidifiers, sometimes even under the same name. Unfortunately, it is no longer absolutely guaranteed that the correct polymer is used inside all the acryl polymer humidifiers.
The high-tech acryl polymer inside the humidifier element can absorb large amounts of liquid. It must be filled with distilled water only. One should note however that the humidity level inside a new humidor also stabilizes with acryl polymer humidifiers only after about two day’s time.
All in all, acryl polymer humidifiers are very recommendable since they maintain a more stable humidity level and require less frequent monitoring and maintenance by the user. In addition, the danger of bacterial contamination is lower in polymer humidifiers than in sponge-based humidifiers. However, the danger of bacterial contamination cannot be completely eliminated, as is often claimed. In order to minimize the danger of bacterial contamination. Each humidifier (sponge or polymer based) should be replaced after about two years!

Adorini offers with the “adorini deluxe premium humidifier” one of the worldwide leading humidification systems based on high-tech polymer acryl crystals. The self-adjusting effect of the acryl polymers is complemented by the possibility to fine-tune the emitted humidity via adjustable openings of the humidifier case.
Overall the simple sponge-based humidification systems provide sufficient humidification performance if the aforementioned propylene glycol solution is applied regularly (See propylene glycol liquid). Humidifiers based on acryl polymers possess a superior capacity to maintain a constant humidity and to quickly offset short-term drops in humidity as they regularly occur when opening the humidor. Using acryl polymers also minimizes the danger of bacterial contamination and over a longer period of time the higher purchasing price of polymer-based humidifiers is offset by the savings of not having to purchase special propylene glycol solutions.

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