best brand to use for tupperdor?

[david]

I've got a couple of those red-topped Rubbermaid 1.1 gallon plastic boxes. They seem to work OK (I'm using 65 beads). I put 50 loose cigars in 3 weeks ago and what is happening is this: I can never light the whole end at once, (using a Tiger single flame torch) I get about 1/4 of it lit. The first week I got about 1/2 lit. However after a couple minutes it straigtens out and I've got a good all-around ash. At first they would go out about 1/2 way through but now the burn is ok. The other thing is that they seem to be getting a bit harsher. No wrapper problems. The feel is not too hard, not too soft. Any comments?

2. I smoke coronas and wonder if 70% beads might work better with that size. I'd like to hear other people's opinions, but I'd also like to trade an ounce of 65's for an ounce of 70's in order to experience the difference myself.

3. I'm thinking about getting one of those new Snap-ware plastic boxes that are air-proof and water-proof. Obviously it would have to be opened every so often for air circulation, but it seems to me I wouldn't have to worry about the properties of the box with that type.

I only have about 100 or less cigars at a time. I don't want to go to a wood humidor until I can afford to get a a well-constructed one.

 

[Shibumi]

Do you have a hygrometer? If so what is the humidity at? If not, you might want to get a cheap one and use that.

Might be a stupid question on my part, but when you light these cigars, are you turning it as you light it?

 

[theorangeman]

Seems to me that if you're able to maintain a consistent 65% humidity and the temperature is ok, the problem lies elsewhere and not the rubbermaid container. Just as Shibumi asked, I am wondering what you're using to monitor the humidity and whether it (if in fact you're using one) has been calibrated. Going higher in humidity doesn't seem logical to correct the problem you're having. You ought to have a better burn with lower humidity. Therefore the 65% beads should be just fine. One other question that I am wondering, what are you placing the cigars on? Are they sitting on the tupperware itself or have you put them in a cigar box. Not that this is your problem, but I would make sure you have some spanish cedar (cigar boxes) in your container and I would put your smokes on the wood or in the boxes rather than resting naked on the rubbermaid. Just some random thoughts for what it's worth

 

[emodx]

Toast the foot first. Then light the cigar. It doesnt matter if the cigars are stored at %70 or %65. If it is lit correctly it will burn. My one point of consideration is this, how new are the cigars? If they are brand new from a local or online vendor, then they could very well be too wet to enjoy.
So make sure you check the RH like was suggested. Perhaps the beads have extracted all the moisture they can, and you are way over your desired RH.

Emo

 

[david]

Shibumi, I do turn the cigar as I light it (and I do toast the foot first). I had not used a hygrometer because I had assumed that the beads would do the trick without monitoring.

theorangeman, the cigars sit on spanish cedar.

emodx, the cigars are new from the vendor but they have had 3 weeks to get conditioned. that isn't enough? I have been checking the beads regularly, drying when necessary, wetting when necessary.

I keep them in a closet, the temp here varies between 50 and 80 in 24 hours near the coast in So. Cal.

 

[Captain Leafheart]

david,
If you don't use an accurate hygrometer (or any at all), how do you know when it is neccesary to hydrate or dry the beads?
You also should not allow the temp to rise over (or even near) 75 degrees F.

 

[hooiserguy]

Seems to me that if you're able to maintain a consistent 65% humidity and the temperature is ok, the problem lies elsewhere and not the rubbermaid container. Just as Shibumi asked, I am wondering what you're using to monitor the humidity and whether it (if in fact you're using one) has been calibrated. Going higher in humidity doesn't seem logical to correct the problem you're having. You ought to have a better burn with lower humidity. Therefore the 65% beads should be just fine. One other question that I am wondering, what are you placing the cigars on? Are they sitting on the tupperware itself or have you put them in a cigar box. Not that this is your problem, but I would make sure you have some spanish cedar (cigar boxes) in your container and I would put your smokes on the wood or in the boxes rather than resting naked on the rubbermaid. Just some random thoughts for what it's worth

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Just curious why dont lay them on the plastic? The reason I asked is I have plastic drawers in my coolidor that I keep loose singles in I have not noticed any problems so far with mine.

 

[half full monty]

david,
If you don't use an accurate hygrometer (or any at all), how do you know when it is neccesary to hydrate or dry the beads?
You also should not allow the temp to rise over (or even near) 75 degrees F.

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This is right on. You need a calibrated hydrometer to know what the actual RH is. Tobacco beetle larve will hatch at temp above 75 F.

Also, it could take longer than 3 weeks for the smokes to dry out from the vendor, especially if the RH has been fluctuating. At the local shop, we can let smokes sit for a month or more, depending on the manufacturer, before they are ready.

 

[gandolf565]

Also, it could take longer than 3 weeks for the smokes to dry out from the vendor, especially if the RH has been fluctuating. At the local shop, we can let smokes sit for a month or more, depending on the manufacturer, before they are ready.

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Sort of related...

I just received a couple boxes of cigars that are so wet my humidity levels have been rising. I checked my beads and they are saturated!
I tried to smoke one of these cigars after they arrived and it was impossible to keep lit and the draw was very hard. The head would collapse when I tried to draw on it. It tasted OK, so I think they will be fair once they dry out.

 

[rangerdoug]

I always do the sqeeze test to see if the cigar is to moist along with a Digital hydrometer to make sure the sticks are not to moist. Anything above 72% is to much and if the cigars are at that level or higher you will not be able to keep the stick going. Have had a couple of wet sticks before and you just can not keep a cigar lit with that much moisture not counting the fact mold and other things can kick in. Do yourself a favor and purchase a digital hydrometer for around $20 and keep a close eye on it.

 

[tjm5019]

one of the best and most important investments is a digital hygrometer...get one with the temp and humidity...you can find one for about 20 bucks that accurate to +/- 1% and +/- 1 degree
a digital one is a must IMHO

 

[david]

Thanks to all of you who responded to my topic. I think that indeed these new cigars needed more time to settle in. They are burning fine now, and getting easier to light. I put a new box of these cigars in another tuppidor and won't touch them for a month. If I do run into more problems I will get a digital hygrometer, but for now I'm going to stick with keeping an eye on the beads and let them do the work.
hoosierguy--I suspect that laying the cigars on plastic is not a problem, as your experience has shown.