Thoughts on my method of seasoning my new humidor

:whistling: Hey Guys,

I pulled the trigger on the Santa Barbara, here is the thread discussing my choices for humidor, humidification and hygrometer (http://www.cigarpass.com/forumsipb/index.php?showtopic=47934).

I got everything and am setting up my humidification system now in my new humidor. My supplier was out of seasoning kits so I have loaded the whole pound of 65% RH heartfelt beads which I charged with distilled water (inside three tubes and 2 mesh bags) along with filling the humidification device that came with the humidor (sponge type) and a small shot glass of distilled water into the humidor to try to get it seasoned. I did a light wipedown with distilled before this. [thanks to Cigarpass for the instruction on how to season a humidor]. Hopefully this will do the trick.

Heartfelt said this will work just fine, and I do trust Davids advice, HOWEVER, if you see any problem with this method, or have any comments or suggestions (such as David's to heat the water in the microwave to "get it in" to the humidor faster) please help a newbie out. Let me know you thoughts.

Regards,
Mario

Mario,

If David says it good....its good!! You will indeed be ok with what your setup is currently. The best thing I can tell you from personal experience is be patient. Let it season for at least one week, if not two(or more!!) just for good measure. This will just ensure that your sticks wont be sucked dry if the wood hasn't had enough time to acclimate to the proper humidity. Good luck to you!

~Billy

You're doing everything right Mario. I would add that an empty humi is more prone to fluctuations than one that is loaded up with cigars so don't get too uptight with any initial fluctuations you may observe in the first week. Once you start filling it with cigars, you'll be just fine. Even if you see the RH drop to 60% or so, that's fine. Don't panic unless you see it drop to the low 50 range which I highly doubt will happen to you. I use 65% beads in all of my coolerdors and more often than not, the RH runs more toward 60% which I think is better. 70% is too wet for me.

To late but if you whip the inside with water or damp cloth it will make the grain lift in the wood. It will make the inside feel much rougher.

Your RH like stated will lower when you add cigars depending on how many you add. Don't worry give it time and it will level its self out. Doing the seasoning your doing can take quite some time so be patient and you will save yourself heartache's later.

It only took me about 30 hours, with a shot glass of distilled water, to get everything nice and seasoned.
Good luck with it and watch out, I am almost full on my third humidor and looking at more options.