How to Build a Tupperdor: A DIY Humidor for Under $20
Learn how to build a tupperdor — a DIY Tupperware humidor — step by step. All you need is a sealed container and a two-way humidity pack to store cigars.
If you've outgrown a zip-top bag but a fancy wooden humidor feels like overkill, there's a beloved middle path: the tupperdor. It's exactly what it sounds like — a humidor built from a Tupperware container — and it works so well that plenty of collectors never bother upgrading. Here's how to build a tupperdor in about five minutes, and why it holds humidity as reliably as a humidor costing many times more.
What is a tupperdor (and why it works)
A tupperdor is just two things working together:
- An airtight container that traps a stable pocket of air.
- A two-way humidity pack that keeps that air at the right moisture level.
That's the whole secret. A traditional humidor is essentially the same idea dressed in nice wood — a sealed box holding a steady humidity. Because plastic seals more tightly than an unfinished wooden box (which needs seasoning before it works at all), a tupperdor often holds humidity more reliably than a budget humidor, not less. You're paying for looks and cedar aroma with the wooden version, not for better cigar protection.
What you'll need
- An airtight, food-safe container. A Tupperware or similar lidded box with a tight-snapping or gasket lid. Clear ones let you see your cigars; size it to your collection with a little room to spare.
- A two-way humidity pack rated 65% or 69% RH (Boveda is the common one, but any two-way pack works). Get one sized for your container — a small box needs a small pack, a big bin needs more.
- A small hygrometer (optional but recommended) to confirm the humidity is where you think it is.
- Spanish cedar (optional) — a thin strip or a sheet cut to fit.
Total cost is usually under $20, and often closer to $10.
How to build a tupperdor, step by step
1. Pick and clean the container
Choose a box that seals well — press the lid on and listen for a snug, airtight close. Wash it with plain water (no scented soap, which the tobacco will happily absorb) and dry it completely. Any leftover smell or moisture is a bad start.
2. Add a two-way humidity pack
Drop in a 65% or 69% pack. Not sure which number to choose? Lower (65%) gives a slightly easier burn; higher (69%) keeps wrappers more supple. Our cigar humidity guide breaks down the trade-offs if you want to pick deliberately.
3. (Optional) Lay in some cedar
If you want the classic humidor aroma and a touch of extra humidity buffering, set a strip of Spanish cedar in the bottom. This is purely a nice-to-have — skip it and your cigars will be just as safe. Don't let cigars sit directly on a damp pack; rest them on the cedar or to the side.
4. Load your cigars — loosely
Lay the cigars in without cramming. They shouldn't be packed so tight that air can't circulate. Leave a little breathing room around them.
5. Seal it and let it settle
Snap the lid shut and put the box somewhere cool, dark, and stable — not a sunny windowsill or near a radiator. Give it a day or two to reach a steady humidity before you trust the reading.
6. Check and maintain
Glance at the hygrometer now and then. A two-way pack lasts a couple of months before it goes stiff and needs replacing. That's the entire maintenance routine.
A $5 container and a $4 humidity pack will protect a handful of cigars exactly as well as a starter humidor. The box only has to seal.
A couple of things to avoid
- Don't over-humidify. Wetter isn't safer — above ~74% RH you risk a tight draw and mold. Stick to a 65–69% pack and resist adding extra moisture.
- Don't use a scented or previously-greasy container. Tobacco absorbs odors; a box that smelled like last week's curry will pass that on.
- Don't skip the seal test. A lid that doesn't close tightly turns your tupperdor into a slow leak, and your cigars will dry out without you noticing.
The recap
Now you know how to build a tupperdor: grab an airtight container, add a two-way humidity pack (65% or 69%), toss in some optional cedar, load your cigars loosely, and keep it somewhere cool and dark. It's cheap, it's quick, and it holds humidity as well as a budget humidor — which is why so many people stick with one for good.
When your collection starts to grow across more than one box, the Casa DNC app keeps a running record of what's where and what's ready to smoke. And if you want the bigger-picture version of this idea, see how to store cigars without a humidor.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a tupperdor?
- A tupperdor is a humidor made from an airtight food-storage container (a Tupperware-style box) plus a two-way humidity pack. It holds steady humidity just as well as a cheap wooden humidor, costs a fraction of the price, and is what many collectors use long-term.
- Do you need cedar in a tupperdor?
- No, cedar is optional. A tupperdor works perfectly with just the container and a humidity pack. A strip or two of Spanish cedar can add a subtle aroma and a little humidity buffering, but it's a nice-to-have, not a requirement.
- Is a tupperdor as good as a real humidor?
- For holding humidity, yes — often better, because plastic seals more reliably than an unseasoned wooden box. A traditional humidor wins on looks and on the cedar smell, but a tupperdor matches it on the one job that actually protects your cigars.
- How many cigars fit in a tupperdor?
- As many as the container holds with a little air to spare — don't cram them. A small 1–2 quart box comfortably holds a handful, while a large bin can store dozens. Match one two-way humidity pack to the container size.
Keep reading
Plume vs Mold on Cigars: How to Tell Them Apart
Plume vs mold on cigars: how to tell harmless plume (bloom) from dangerous mold, what each one looks like, and exactly what to do if you find either in your humidor.
How to Store Cigars Without a Humidor (That Actually Works)
No humidor yet? Here's how to keep cigars fresh for weeks or months using a sealed container and a humidity pack — the right way, with the mistakes to avoid.
Cigar Humidity Guide: 65 vs 69 vs 72% RH (and the 70/70 Rule)
What's the ideal cigar humidity? Here's the difference between 65, 69, and 72% RH, how to pick your sweet spot, and why temperature matters as much as moisture.