comfortable temps for humidors?

[PTownshend]

I know there's always talk about how humid one could (or should) keep their humidors/tupperdors/coolerdors at. However, there is very little in way of discussion for temps (at least that I've seen).

What seems to be the temps most people here like to keep their cigars at? I seem to recall hearing that too hot is worse than too cool, but are there any negative effects of keeping cigars in a cooler area (say around the 56- 58% range like it is here in Buffalo NY?)


Would love to hear your thoughts and philosphies on this, as well as anecdotes regarding high versus low temps.

Thanks,
Darren

 

[Jeffro600]

Theres debate on if cigars age better at warmer temps...i cant taste a difference though.

I keep my cigars at anywhere between 65-70 depending on what the ambient temp is of the house. Going lower wont hurt anything...ive kept mine in temps as low as 50 and it didnt hurt anything as long as your RH is within range.

 

[natejustice]

Same here I have kept mine as low as 50-53, and I have not had a problem with anything...

Theres debate on if cigars age better at warmer temps...i cant taste a difference though.

I keep my cigars at anywhere between 65-70 depending on what the ambient temp is of the house. Going lower wont hurt anything...ive kept mine in temps as low as 50 and it didnt hurt anything as long as your RH is within range.

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[AVB]

My room goes down to the upper 50's if I forget to turn on the heat. No problems with that at all.

 

[lucasbuck]

Cooler temps are fine. Mine sit about 50-55f during the winter months. Just be sure to keep a close eye on your RH. It can dip pretty fast when it gets that cold.

 

[BlindedByScience]

I'd asked the same question a while ago, and the consensus was that lower temps aren't a big deal as long at the RH stays under control. I'm still thinking about a built-in humi in a walk in closet I have and my concern is that it gets 50-ish in the winter. Again, my take away on this based on comments from more experienced members (and Gael from LaLuna) is that unless the sticks get close to freezing, it's no worries as long as you have good RH control.

FWIW - B.B.S.

 

[Captain Leafheart]

And the RH to be maintained is just your preference, regardless of temperature?
IOW, if I like my smokes at 65% or 68% or 70%, it doesn't matter as long as my temp doesn't get in the mold/beetle producing range?

 

[BlindedByScience]

And the RH to be maintained is just your preference, regardless of temperature?

I try to run my cooler (long term / aging) around 70% and my desktop (daily smokes) around 63%-ish. I've been very happy with the results, so far.

FWIW - B.B.S.

 

[Jeffro600]

And the RH to be maintained is just your preference, regardless of temperature?

I try to run my cooler (long term / aging) around 70% and my desktop (daily smokes) around 63%-ish. I've been very happy with the results, so far.

FWIW - B.B.S.

[snapback]257890[/snapback]​

Same here...cigars seem to store better long term at a slightly higher RH than what they smoke the best at. I smoke all of mine at 65 or less.

 

[Gonz]

I remember a post from a while ago about this where someone was convinced the devil had posessed their humi, because the digital gauge read 66.6% and 66.6 Degrees. And the overall opinion was that as long as you're not superstitious that is perfect conditions.

I think anything over 70 degrees is asking for trouble with beetle hatches.

And I'm not positive about this, but at cooler temps it's harder to keep the rh where it needs to be. But that may not be true.

 

[armedak]

I've talked to some of the vendors I use about optimum long term storage temperatures and RH, and they say lower is better for long term aging. They recommend 65/65 for longer term aging. Temperatures and humidity as low as 60/60 would also not be a problem but the sticks will age at a slower rate. Apparently, slow long term aging results in better smoking sticks than faster aging at higher temps and humidity. Consequently, I like to keep mine at 66/66!

 

[Captain Leafheart]

My question was, is there a hard and fast rule between temp and RH combined that one must follow.
I know we all have individual preferences regarding RH.
Can we keep the RH we prefer and keep whatever temp we prefer (or can maintain), in any combination (as long as it's not detrimental to the smokes-such as an 80 degree F. temp)?
Or must a particular RH be combined with a particular temp.?
I'm gathering that that is not an issue.

 

[gandolf565]

And I'm not positive about this, but at cooler temps it's harder to keep the rh where it needs to be. But that may not be true.

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I can say with some degree of confidence that if you are using beads then humidity control is not an issue. My humi is at 50f and 70% this morning. The temp varies quite a bit depending on the weather conditions here (it got down to 12f outside last night), but the humidity stays within 2-3% all the time.

edit for clarity and speelin'

 

[BlindedByScience]

I'm gathering that that is not an issue.

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Again, I'm not an expert, but that's my understanding. As long as RH is in the range you prefer, and as long at the temps are lower than 70F to keep the bugs from hatching, and above freezing, you're good to go. Cooler temps may require better RH control, but they won't harm the smokes.

There are of course different opinions about this but I believe that "no harm will be done" if you follow the guidelines I've mentioned.

Regards - B.B.S.

Edited for tYpOs.....

 

[Ginseng]

I use PG solution in home-made oasis tubs and the humidity stays at right around 68% under all conditions (except for temporary dips from sniffing ). As for temperature, in the summer, I've seen up to 73F. In the winter, down to 60F.

Since I don't smoke much during the winter, I can't say if a properly humidified but cool stick smokes poorly. Even under these seasonal swings, everything seems to age just fine especially my Padron stock.

Wilkey

 

[Captain Leafheart]

As long as RH is in the range you prefer, and as long at the temps are lower than 70F to keep the bugs from hatching, and above freezing, you're good to go.

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That's what I was trying to determine.
Thanks B.B.S. (and to all who responded).
Regarding beads, I'm having more trouble keeping a stable RH with these confounded Heartfelt beads than I was with 50/50 and/or distilled water.
Personally, I'm about to go back to the "old-fashioned" way.