This article below from cheaphumidors.com will help anyone getting there first humidor or thinking about getting one ready to set it up.

When most people get their new humidor home, they are anxious to fill it up with their collection of smokes. If you do this without first re-humidifying the wood, you may ruin your cigars. Why? The wood has not had a chance to reach its equilibrium. So when you put your cigars in, the wood will absorb their moisture and you will be left with dry useless cigars. Not exactly the reason you bought a humidor, huh? To solve this problem, all humidors should be re-humidified before their first use.

Re-humidifying your humidor is easy, just follow these simple steps:

• Place a shallow container filled with distilled water in the humidor
• Place calibrated hygrometer inside humidor
• Charge your humidification device
• Place humidification device inside humidor

You have to check the relative humidity every day. Depending on a number of factors this can take a few days to a few weeks. When you get in the 70 range it is safe to store you smokes inside. As long as you constantly recharge your humidification device you will never have to wait to store your cigars again. I always suggest waiting at least 7-10 days, no matter what the hygrometer says before putting cigars in a new humidor.

There is nothing better than sitting at home with a fine cigar and some scotch. But what if you want the same pleasure while on the go? Bringing your prized cigars with you on business trips, outtings, meetings, or vacation is actually very simple if done correctly.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have the correct device to store your cigars. If you are going to be out for a few hours then you can use a simple leather cigar holder or Ziplock bag. If you plan on being out for a day or two then a device with a humidifier is prefered, and for a few weeks on the road, it is advised that you use a specially designed travel humidor that has been properly rehumidified.

After you get your storage device, choose the cigars that you want to bring along. It is best to take cigars that have already been stored in a humidor for a period of time as they will have stabalized at the perfect humidity. Make sure you bring only enough cigars for the excursion. You really want to avoid bringing any cigars back with you that you took from home. Not that they will go bad, but the likelyhood is higher than if you enjoy them while out. For example, it is not advised to bring 25 cigars if you are going to a wedding and plan on smoking 2 during the evening.

Now that you have the cigars you want to travel with, and they have been sitting in a proper humidor for some time, you can simply take your storage device and load it up. If you just got cigars from the tobacco shop, it is advised to leave them in the wrapper and place them in your travel case.

Remember always to close your case, tube, etc. when you are done with your cigar. This will help maintain the humidity and preserve your cigars longer. Also, try to not put the case in direct sunlight or any place where the heat will get extreme. It is best to carry the case with you at all times. As an example, bring it on the plane with you, rather than in the storage below.

SOURCE: CheapHumidors.com

We’ve added a quick cigar primer to Auburn Cigar for those of you just beginning to try cigars. Everyone else may want to just skim it to get refreshed on some basics.

The Cigar Primer