When considering any desktop humidor, the quality of the construction should be high on your list. For me this means a hands-on visual inspection of the humidor. The key areas that I focus on are:
- No visible gaps between the lid and the base when the lid is closed
- Hinges that aren’t warped, bent, or have a patina and appear strong and sturdy
- A slight resistance between the lid and the base when opening or closing the humidor – the desktop humidor isn’t designed to be airtight
- Solid sounding when thumping the exterior (all the sides, top, and bottom)
When it comes to the exterior of the humidor the sky’s the limit. The wood, color, and design simply need to appeal to your aesthetics. The same cannot be said for the interior. The interior of a humidor should be built using a hygroscopic wood. Hygroscopic wood is wood that can hold and release moisture (humidity) after it reaches equilibrium. Traditionally Spanish cedar has been used not only because of its hygroscopic property but also because of the oils in the wood. This oil not only acts as a natural pest replant but also produces a very pleasing aroma.