Vasco first opened its doors in 1972 in downtown Montreal as a family owned business.
At the time, the range of products and services offered downtown was limited, so the family decided to fill that void. Now, over 30 years later, the vision has not changed, although the product assortment has.
Vasco still aims to offer its clientele the best selection of products under the same roof. The staff is fully trained to answer any questions regarding brands, products and care tips. Our goal is to offer the best possible product for the customer's needs and budget. And that's something that will never change!
How to start your humidor
Note:always use distilled (demineralized) water. It can be found in most grocery stores and pharmacies.
Step 1
Put the humidifier sponge in a ziploc bag and fill it with distilled water.
Seal up the bag. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
Remove the sponge and let it drain on a paper towel if necessary.
Install the sponge in your humidor with the magnet or velcro strips provided.
Step 2
While the sponge is soaking up distilled water, take a damp cloth and moisten the inside of your humidor.
Step 3
In order to reset the hygrometer (or the gage as it is more simply called), wrap it in a wet cloth for 20 minutes to push it to 100%.
If the hygrometer needle doesn’t reach 100%, insert a small knife or screwdriver from the back and readjust the needle so that it points to 100%.
If you are using an electronic gage, skip this part. Simply insert batteries and voila!
Ideal humidity levels range from 60 to 70%.
It is important to check your puros regularly to see if they are too moist and soft or slightly dry. The hygrometer is there as a guideline; it can be off by as much as 10% (repeat the step above if you think this is the case).
Step 4
Wait 2 or 3 days until the humidity level reaches 60%.
For smaller humidors the process may be shorter while for larger humidors it may be longer and may require a second humidifier fill-up.
The humidor is now ready for use.
How often should you refill the humidity regulator?
When you see the humidity level decreasing, or you feel your puros are slightly dry, it is time to refill the humidity regulator. Over time you will get to know the vagaries of your humidor and will know more exactly when to refill it.
For now, here are some general guidelines. You may have to refill your regulator more or less often, depending on:
The season
in winter, every 10 days
in summer, every 2-3 weeks
Be sure to keep your humidor well away from sources of heat (heaters, fireplaces) and direct sunlight.
The size of your sponge and the size of your humidor
A small humidity regulator will require refilling more often than a large one.
If the regulator is too small for the size of the humidor, you will have to refill it very often. In this case it is a good idea to upgrade to a larger, more adequate humidity regulator.
The number of puros in your humidor
The humidity regulator will have to be refilled more often if your humidor is full than if it is at 50 or 25 % of its capacity.
