A Tupperdor comes in handy to store cigars and maintain their quality over time. If your humidor has run out of space or you do not have one, a Tupperdor is a great idea to provide that extra space for your cigars.
So, how do you make a Tupperdor at home? A Tupperdor is easy to make, and as the name suggests, the primary item for the project is a Tupperware container. You can craft the tupperdor to mimic a humidor and provide favorable conditions to store your cigars using readily available materials.
Below you will find a step-by-step guide on making a Tupperdor, including all the items you need for this DIY project.
Tupperdor Vs. Humidor
These two have one purpose; to store cigars and provide a conducive environment for maintaining the quality of cigars. Most humidors come in wood, mostly cedar, but a few come in hardwood with a cedar lining.
Cedar is known to encourage the optimal aging of cigars hence why the interiors of most humidors are made of cedar. To mimic this with a Tupperdor, you need to line the inside of the Tupperware container you choose with cedar sheets or dividers.
With the right design and implementation of this concept, Tupperdors are a cost-effective way of storing and traveling with your cigars without compromising on their quality.
Pros of Humidors
- Ready to use straight away
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Designed specifically for cigars
Cons of Humidors
- Price
Pros of Tupperdors
- Affordable
- Easy to travel with
Cons of Tupperdors
- May have trouble keeping humidity long term
- Not as stylish as a humidor
What you Need to Make a Tupperdor
- Tupperware
Select a container that is a little bigger than the space you need to store your cigar. Ideally, your container should provide at least 20 to 25 % extra space to allow adequate humidity circulation around the cigars.
Also, ensure the container you choose has an airtight lid to prevent humidity from escaping. Most Tupperware comes with a rubber seal and latches that tightly seal it to prevent air and moisture from getting in or out of the container.
Additionally, ensure that you get a high-quality container since tobacco contains chemicals that may erode low-quality plastic, thus altering the humidity levels in the tupperdor. Also, get containers free of phthalates and BPA since these substances might be absorbed into the cigar and cause harmful health effects.
Lastly, it is advisable to buy a new container rather than picking one from your kitchen. This prevents any food odors from transferring to the cigars and ruining the quality and flavor of the stogie.
- Humidifier
A humidifier is the second most crucial item you will need for this DIY project. It diffuses moisture throughout the tupperdor to ensure that your cigars get enough humidity to stay fresh and plump.
However, ensure that the humidifier you use is suitable for the size and type of container you have. Since Tupperware is airtight, there is less air and moisture exchange with the external environment.
Due to this, you will need a powerful humidification system to provide the appropriate humidity level in the tupperdor. You will also require a humidifier that can absorb excess moisture when the humidity levels are too high. This is to prevent over-humidification, which can ruin your favorite cigars.
- Hygrometer
A hygrometer helps you monitor the humidity levels in the tupperdor. It also allows you to notice humidity fluctuations in the tupperdor, so you can intervene early before your cigars go bad.
Ensure you get a quality hygrometer, preferably a digital one, to prevent inaccurate readings. Also, follow the instruction manual while calibrating it to improve its accuracy.
- Spanish Cedar
Spanish cedar is optional but still essential to the tupperdor. The wood is highly absorbent and acts like a membrane. It absorbs excess moisture from the tupperdor and releases it back when humidity levels are low.
The wood also has repellant properties that repel worms and tobacco beetles away from cigars. It also has a pleasant aroma that elevates the smell and taste of the stored cigars.
Step-by-step Guide on How to Make a Tupperdo
Step 1: Prepare the Container
Wash the Tupperware with warm soapy water, then thoroughly dry it. Drying the container removes excess moisture that would raise humidity levels in the tupperdor.
Next, air out the container for 24 hours to eliminate the plastic odor. You can leave it outside or in a properly ventilated room, so it airs out completely. That way, you are guaranteed that your cigars will not absorb this plastic smell.
Step 2: Add Humidification
You can get humidity packs and add them to the Tupperware container. These provide self-regulating two-way humidification, which is ideal for plastic containers. Choose humidity packs that will meet your cigar needs. Ideally, one pouch of humidity packs should serve not more than 25 cigars.
Step 3: Calibrate the Hygrometer
Ensure the hygrometer is appropriately calibrated for accurate readings. Once calibrated, you can use it to monitor humidity and ensure optimal levels; ideally, 70%.
Step 4: Add Cedar Sheets or Dividers
Customize your Tupperdor by adding cedar sheets or dividers. These create a fragrant environment, like the humidor, making it suitable to store your cigars there for a long time. These will ensure optimal humidity levels and contribute to the cigar aging process.
Step 5: Add the Cigars
Once you set everything up, fill the tupperdor with cigars. Ensure you evenly space the cigars to allow air and humidity to circulate.
Step 6: Store Appropriately
Since plastic is not porous, open the lid and air the cigars every few weeks. Also, rotate the cigars to ensure all get adequate humidity after closing the lid.
Store the Tupperdor away from direct sunlight to preserve the quality of your cigars and prevent high temperatures from reaching the cigars. High temperature lowers the relative humidity level in the tupperdor at an accelerated rate and dries out the cigars.
Conclusion
A tupperdor works on the same principle as a humidor, the only difference being that it is DIY. Making a tupperdor is not an uphill task. All you need is to get the right supplies and follow the steps in this article, and within hours, you will have your makeshift humidor.
