Humidors have humidification devices or systems to maintain the humidity at a constant level of sixty eight to seventy two percent humidity. Higher quality humidors also contain a hygrometer to give the smoker an accurate reading of the moisture levels. The most common material for personal humidors is wood of varying types, but the interior of most good humidors is cedar.

It is because they are made by very skilled artisans and with very expensive and rare woods, some humidors are passed as heirlooms and function as room and furniture accessories. Humidors are a necessary component of any cigar aficionado's ability to preserve and develop the taste and quality of their most expensive cigars. Connoisseurs use humidors to protect their valuable investment, but before using a new humidor, the humidor must be seasoned. This means that the wood in the humidor must be cured to allow the wood to produce moisture instead of absorbing it.

Humidors that have been out of use may also require seasoning. Cedar is used as a part of the humidification process due to certain characteristics of that particular type of wood. The cedar also adds depth of flavor to cigars as a process of absorbing some of the smell of the wood. When the cedar that is used in humidors is not seasoned, it will absorb moisture and cause the cigars dry out. However, the process can be simple. The only ingredient for seasoning the humidor is distilled water. Tap water has many impurities that will affect the taste of cigars. Distilled water also lacks the surface tension of water that contains impurities. This means that the distilled water will be more readily absorbed, retained and the emitted to control the humidity inside the box.

The water should be applied with an unscented, clean sponge or soft towel. First, start by dampening the cloth or sponge. This has to be done to every surface including the trays and lid. The cloth must be damp and not overly wet. If the box is made too damp, the humidor can be ruined. This means that spilling the water in the humidor can ruin an heirloom and if cigars are then stored in the humidor, they could mildew and gain a foul taste and odor. After all the surfaces have been properly dampened, place the sponge on a piece of material that will not allow the sponge to contact the wood. After this step, fill the humidification device with the distilled water and simply close the humidor and allow it to set for at least twenty four hours. Repeat the steps without leaving the sponge in for two additional applications and the humidor will be seasoned.