Avoiding temperature fluctuations with a Desktop Humidor

[2K6TBSS]

I am having some issues keeping my desktop humidor at a consistant temp. For a month or so it was keeping at 66-68F at all times, with the occasional drop to 6, or the jump up to 70. Now I am coming into my office in the AM to a humi temp of about 66, and then by mid afternoon it all the way up to like 75F.

I know that 70F is where bugs like to start hatching, is there a way that I can keep the temp in my humi down in the 66-68F range? I am using the Heartfelt beads and the RH is right around 64-66% with my 65% beads.

If this has been discussed before, please point me in the correct direction, as I was not able to find anything using the search option.

 

[kiwifruit]

Is it subject to direct sunlight? Maybe put it away in a drawer in the office.

 

[looking for knowledge]

Well, where's it located? Upstairs, downstairs, next to a running computer?

If your ambient room temperature is high, you're going to have to find some place else to store your humi, if you want to keep it cooler than the room it's in.

 

[MadMonk]

Any room on the South side of the house will typically be harder to keep cool.
Perhaps you could locate it in an interior room, that isnt getting hit with direct sun.

I like it really cool in my bedroom, so I keep a auxilliary A/C unit in there.
That room stays about 68 degrees all year long.
My cigars love it.

 

[2K6TBSS]

Is it subject to direct sunlight? Maybe put it away in a drawer in the office.

It is sitting in the file drawer of my office desk.

Well, where's it located? Upstairs, downstairs, next to a running computer?

If your ambient room temperature is high, you're going to have to find some place else to store your humi, if you want to keep it cooler than the room it's in.

Location is downstairs (single level house). My computer is in a cabinet away from the drawer that my humidor is in.

Any room on the South side of the house will typically be harder to keep cool.
Perhaps you could locate it in an interior room, that isnt getting hit with direct sun.

I like it really cool in my bedroom, so I keep a auxilliary A/C unit in there.
That room stays about 68 degrees all year long.
My cigars love it.

The office doesn't face south, but it does have a south facing window. I usually only leave the blinds open on that window in the AM to lt better light into my office. Then about noon I close them to keep the heat out. But it doesn't seem to be helping.

It looks like I am going to have to look at moving the humidor into another room of the house. Maybe I will try the spare bedroom, as that room is usually really cold...

 

[2K6TBSS]

One additional question. Is there any issue with the temp fluctuating like this on a regular basis? I mean if the RH is staying at 65%, is the temp rising in the later afternoon to a little over 70 and only staying there for a couple hours (usually about 3) at most really going to do anything.

 

[B.HOBS]

I used to have a full on custom wine-o-dor, so I never had to worry about my sticks and beetles. After I quit and had my comeback, I only have a desktop for storage. I have learned to forgo the worries of temperature & beetles, and just keep an eye on the humidity. I just keep it in the office closet and keep an eye on the sticks occasionally, just to be safe. I suggest just not worrying about it, because in all honesty, there is not much you can really do to control it. A little temp fluctuation is not gonna be a huge deal in the long run. And if it really worries you that much, invest in a cooled solution to protect your sticks!

 

[thechenman]

Temp fluctuation is not as big a deal as Rh fluctuation. Going to 75 for a few hours is not extreme if you are not aging these smokes. If you plan on aging, try a cooledor. If beetles are your primary concern. Simply freeze your cigars before they go into your humidor.

 

[tone-ny]

Check the batteries in your hydro as this may have an issue with your reading. I'm assuming you are having a warm spell in your neck of the woods? The change between one season and the other throws the readings.

What type of heating system do you have? Is it off during the night and running during the day?

Yes, this has been discussed and there should be quite a few threads out there on the subject.

 

[2K6TBSS]

I used to have a full on custom wine-o-dor, so I never had to worry about my sticks and beetles. After I quit and had my comeback, I only have a desktop for storage. I have learned to forgo the worries of temperature & beetles, and just keep an eye on the humidity. I just keep it in the office closet and keep an eye on the sticks occasionally, just to be safe. I suggest just not worrying about it, because in all honesty, there is not much you can really do to control it. A little temp fluctuation is not gonna be a huge deal in the long run. And if it really worries you that much, invest in a cooled solution to protect your sticks!

Temp fluctuation is not as big a deal as Rh fluctuation. Going to 75 for a few hours is not extreme if you are not aging these smokes. If you plan on aging, try a cooledor. If beetles are your primary concern. Simply freeze your cigars before they go into your humidor.

Bugs aren't my concern, as much as the flavor or integrity of the cigar being drastically affected by the fluctuation. If I don't need to worry about the quality of the sticks dropping, then I will just not worry about it, and let them live where they are right now.

 

[Captain Leafheart]

A desk top humi is only going to maintain RH so if its location is too warm, you'll have to find a cooler location for it.

 

[B.HOBS]

Bugs aren't my concern, as much as the flavor or integrity of the cigar being drastically affected by the fluctuation. If I don't need to worry about the quality of the sticks dropping, then I will just not worry about it, and let them live where they are right now.

Temperature wont affect anything "quality" wise, IMHO. Going from warm to immediate cold will make your cigars practically explode sometimes, but 5-10 degrees is not big deal. Extended periods of humidity increase/decrease will have a much more dramatic effect on your cigars, so just check on it every now and then. A little fluctuation over a day or two is not going to hurt anything at all. :thumbs:

-Billy

 

[2K6TBSS]

Thanks! My RH stays between 63-65% with the heartfelt 65% beads. So the RH is pretty stable.

I will just relax and enjoy my smokes!!!