Despite Boveda claiming that rehydrating their humidity packs affects the accuracy, there are plenty of cigar lovers that do it anyway. Are you one of those people that just wants to try it more when you’re told it’s a bad idea? Then read on and find out how!
If however, you are worried about drying out your cigars in the humidor then stop right here. Boveda packs are a brilliant invention and ordering a fresh supply is just as simple as recharging your old ones.
How to Tell If a Boveda Pack is Bad
Before you do anything else, check whether the Boveda pack is still doing its job. How do you do that? Have a feel!
When you first get them, a Boveda pack is soft and spongey. This means that it is still full of moisture, ready to release into your humidor.
After a few months, the texture starts to change to something much harder. When you press into the pack, it will feel like you are pressing into hard beads or even cardboard.
Once it gets to that stage, the Boveda has done its duty. It is then up to you to decide whether you want to try to recharge the Boveda pack or replace it with a new one.
How Do You Rejuvenate Boveda Packs?
Rehydrating Boveda packs is not a lot of work but it does require a few days of patience. About as much patience as having an online purchase delivered.
There are 3 popular methods for recharging Boveda packs with each one having varying degrees of success. Plus, like the company warns you, it is unclear how accurate the RH level of your humidor will be with a DIY Boveda.
Still, these Boveda rehydration options are worth a try. Which one works best for you?
Method 1: Natural Osmosis
The advantage of this method is that the outer casing of the Boveda pack is less likely to get soaking wet. This is good since a wet sponge inside your humidor is not quite what you want near your cigars.
- Container with a raised center (e.g. plastic take-out container)
- Lid for the container
- Distilled water
Step 1: Place the container on a flat surface and fill up the deeper areas. Make sure none of the water goes above the raised center level.
Step 2: Place the Boveda packs on the raised center without them touching the water.
Step 3: Close the container with the lid.
Step 4: Let it sit for up to 5 days or until the water has disappeared.
Method 2: Wet Paper Towel
This is a tricky one since you need to get the paper towels moist but not so wet that they fall apart. Anyone that has ever used a paper towel knows that is no simple feat.
- 5 sheets paper towels
- Distilled water
- Ziploc bag
- Flat container
Step 1: Pour a small layer of distilled water into the flat container
Step 2: Separate the 5 sheets of paper towels and then fold them together to the size of a cigarette pack, approximately.
Step 3: Only for a few seconds, submerge the paper towels in the water.
Step 4: Gently press the paper towels with your fingers to remove excess water.
Step 5: Unfold the paper towels to their original size.
Step 6: Place a Boveda pack in the center of the paper towel and fold the paper towel around it into a wrapped package.
Step 7: Place the wrapped Boveda inside the ziploc bag.
Step 8: Seal the bag, letting out as much air as possible.
Step 9: Let it sit for 2-3 days or until the paper towel has dried out.
Method 3: Simple Soaking
This is the least elegant method and you do risk damaging the Boveda exterior. But heck, if it works it works.
- Container with lid
- Distilled water
Step 1: Fill up the container with water, just enough that all the Boveda packs will be fully submerged.
Step 2: Place your Boveda packs in the container and close with the lid
Step 3: Let them sit in water, checking daily whether their original texture has returned. Don’t leave them in the water for more than 5 days.
Step 4: Remove the Boveda packs from the container and dab dry with a clean towel.
General Tips on Rehydrating Boveda Packs
Boveda packs were not designed to be rehydrated so there is certainly a chance of things going wrong. These Boveda humidor tips will help you avoid some of the common mistakes people make when recharging Boveda packs.
1. How Long to Recharge Boveda Packs
If you quickly Google ‘How Long Does It Take Boveda Packs to Rehydrate?’, your snippet answer will likely be 2-3 days. Don’t take this at face value.
The rehydration period will depend on the type of method you are using and the general environmental conditions. Err on the side of caution and check the Boveda pack daily.
2. Damaging the Exterior
The only thing that should be moving in and out of the Boveda pack is RH and for that to happen, the exterior needs to stay intact. Compare it to those silica packs you find product packaging – once those have ripped open there is no more use for them.
That is why with each rehydration method, you need to be gentle with the Boveda pack. Don’t let it get soaking wet and dry it off properly before use.
3. Forgetting About the Climate
Cigars stay fresh inside humidors because there exists a protected micro-climate. When you are rehydrating a Boveda pack, creating a micro-climate is equally important.
Regardless of which method you use, leave it to hydrate where it stays at a dry room temperature. This means far away from a bright window where it will get hot and not in a humid room like the bathroom or kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is It OK for Boveda Packs to Touch Cigars?
Boveda packs can touch cigars without any risk to yourself or the cigars. The humidity packs are food-safe and FDA-approved meaning they won’t release anything harmful for your health.
Do Boveda Packs Need to Be Activated?
Boveda humidity packs are ready-to-use straight out of the package. There is no need for activation – as soon as they are put in an environment with a different RH they well start to work.
How Long Do Boveda Packs Last?
Inside a humidor, a Boveda pack can last for several months. The exact time that a Boveda pack lasts will depend on the size of the humidor, how well it is sealed and the outside climate.
Summary
Checked your humidor recently and noticed that the Boveda packs are feeling rigid? It may be time to switch them out for fresh packs.
Get in the DIY (and money-saving) spirit by trying out one of the Boveda pack rehydration methods. Soak them in wet paper towel, wet them safely or let osmosis do the trick.
Give one of the above explained Boveda recharging ways a try and see how well it works for you. You could be saving yourself a few good bucks every year – more money for cigars!