Seems like a pretty accurate and reasonable response to me? What is the problem?
UPDATE:
I sent an email response to cheaphumidors.com's email Friday. They didn't get back to me, so today I sent them my response for the second time. Take a look.
WHAT I WROTE IN RESPONSE TO THEIR EMAIL:
My humidor is actually drying out my cigar stash. So based on how they feel or how they smoke, they're pretty dry. You can see that they are very dry and they are smoking dry as well. There is a nice (enter sarcasm) crunch and sizzle to the cigars as they smoke.
I guess I'm confused as to why this is happening. If the hygrometers are reading above the allotted humidity, why are my cigars drying out? Could a broken seal allow excess air into the humidor causing the cigars to dry out - even though the hygrometers are reading 70 and above? In your previous response you said 70 was a bit to humid. If this is the case, why are my cigars drying out?
I only lift the lid on my humidor about twice a week and only for a brief amount of time; just long enough to get my smoke. The glass top makes selecting the perfect cigar a breeze since I can see inside before I lift the lid.
I have the original humidifier in the humidor and I filled it with a "pre-mixed use every time" Propylene Glycol mixture. I also have two crystal gel humidifiers in the humidor as well. I have 70% silica beads too but they aren't in the humidor. And as of now, I have about 50 cigars in this humidor. What would be the best set up for this humidor?
Your prompt response is appreciated.
Steve
CHEAPHUMIDORS.COM RESPONSE TO MY RESPONSE:
Humidity is a very hard thing to control. You are basically playing God in a small space. So many variables effect humidity, including weather conditions, heat, frequency of opening the humidor, etc. Most people really freak out about humidity and worry if they are not exactly at 70%. Truth be told, 70% is a little too humid for most people to enjoy a cigar. The mid to low 60s is a much better range, with Europeans actually preferring humidity in the high 50s.
That being said you should gauge your humidity more on the feel and smokeablility of your cigars, than the hygrometer numbers. Keep in mind that if you are using an analog hygrometer more often than not your reading, even after calibration is off. You see analogs measure humidity by a bi-metal that expands or contracts. This process albeit archaic, is also very slow to respond, and innacurate as heck. A digital hygrometer, that has been calibrated correctly is your best tool to determine humidity.
As stated before, there are so many variables that effect humidity it is hard to have a failsafe way to bring your humidity up to your desires level. Suffice it to say that adding an alternative humidity source, like a dish of distilled water, or very, very carefully wiping the insides down with distilled water are both acceptable means to increase humidity. You will notice that in the winter time you will chase humidity much more frequently as the air is drier. In the summer it will be much easier to maintain, and of course in the Spring and Fall, transition months, you will somedays be ok, and other days have problems.
Again, don't be too concerned with the numbers, go more for feel. All of our humidors are tested for humidity control, seal, etc.
This is absolute bullshit! They can't even take the time to give me a proper response to my concerns. But rather they send me some bullshit, generic, one-size fits most response letter.
I guess I'm back in the market for a REAL humidor. Can anyone send me the link to an online humidor retailer that isn't looking to screw me? Perhaps with some sort of customer service or knowledge about humidors?
Thanks,
Steve
