If there is a single phrase that brings about a universal groan whenever it is seen or heard it is “some assembly required”. Sure, you can often save some money by purchasing items that require you to put on some finishing touches or even put them together in their entirety, but it is important to consider the impact on the quality. Assembling a table or chair is something easily done by most consumers, but there are other items that should never come in a kit format.

For example, consider the humidor. If you buy one that asks you to assemble it upon arrival you are not likely to get the best ongoing results with it. Why? A good cigar box is going to be somewhat air tight, well-sealing, and flawlessly designed, and an average consumer may not have the tools or the skills to deliver such results.

Consider the way that most humidors are made – they have magnetic or tightly-closing wooden lids, their joinery is supposed to be flawless, and they cannot use all kinds of glues and fixatives that might somehow taint the contents of the box. They also tend to have trays and special inserts that would be very difficult for an average consumer to craft or assemble on their own. This all adds up to the fact that a DIY cigar storage box is not a good idea.

Realistically, however, a consumer could be required to install the humidifier and hygrometer on their own without any concerns for the quality of the results. This is because both items are inserted into a completed box. The only real necessities are the proper usage of the fixatives for the items. It is somewhat important for the humidifier to be installed properly because it often contains a measurable amount of fluid that is intended to be slowly added to the air inside of the box. Should this humidifier somehow tip over or spill its contents, the wood inside of the box and the cigars it holds would all be destroyed.

When looking at humidors, the consumer can find them in all kinds of styles. They come in small, medium, and large designs, and some even have see-through glass tops. There are styles meant for portability and travel, and there are also many outlets selling what are known as “imperfects” which are models that have noticeable flaws in their finish or paint. It is never advisable to purchase any with cracked lids or warping as both will make managing the interior conditions virtually impossible.