Having issues with Salt Test. Guidance Needed!

[mziter]

Hello Everyone!

I have recently purchased a humidor from cheaphumidors.com and am very excited about it! I have an issue though.

I did a salt test following the directions and left the hygrometer in the baggy for about 12 hours and noticed that the humidity had increased but topped out around 61%-62%. Left it in for another 4 hours and no movement.

So...

I had a calibration kit "Humidipak" which I bought with the humidor and followed the directions on that also (Open pouch, put in hygrometer, bla bla.) That also stayed at 61% - 62%.

I am currently putting it in another salt test just to be sure.

So my questions are..

1) Could the hygrometer be that far off and the tests are right?
2) If my room was dry could that affect the humidity that much in the ziplock or humipak?

Also, the hygrometer came with a plastic ring around it covering four holes every quarter turn. I am supposed to leave that on right? I assumed it was to fit snugly in the front of my humidor. Also, there is a sticker on the back which I am assuming is for lid placing, that can be left on as well right?

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Breedy]

Yes.

First off, try double bagging the Hygro this time. That will give you a bit more accuracy/less flucations with room rH.

If both the salt test and the Humi-pak confirm the rH, then chances are they were correct.

That basically leaves you two options:
1. Write +13% or something similiar to remind you of the difference
2. Go up to the top of the screen and click store, I hear that Rob, Todd, or Rod will do right by you for a adjustable digital.

 

[mziter]

...
2. Go up to the top of the screen and click store, I hear that Rob, Todd, or Rod will do right by you for a adjustable digital.

First off, thanks a lot for your response!

I don't know what you mean by your quote above. Should I mention that I am a member here? Should I speak to someone specifically before ordering?

My only issue is that I am kind of a bit short on money. On the other hand I would really like an adjustable hygrometer. I didn't realize the variance that they have before I bought an analog one. Plus, it goes in the front of my humi so I will need to keep the one I have just for looks, lol!

 

[Spad31]

PM me your addy. I gotcha covered.

Trey

 

[NASTY]

PM me your addy. I gotcha covered.

Trey

:thumbs:

 

[wes888]

The analog one should be adjustable. At least the one that came with my old humi was. There's a thing in the back you can turn with a small screwdriver. Even so, digital hygrometer's are much more accurate.

 

[morcerf]

I didn't realize the variance that they have before I bought an analog one. Plus, it goes in the front of my humi so I will need to keep the one I have just for looks, lol!

I just saw this today & thought it would be of interest to some. A digital hygrometer in an analog format & it looks like you can use it to replace the analog ones on the outside of a humidor. Not sure if it is adjustable.

http://www.premiumhumidors.com/shop/hygrom...grometer-2.html

I've never bought from that site though.

 

[Spad31]

Hmmm...that's pretty cool. A little expensive, but....

If it's not adjustable, then useless, imo. Someone be a guinea pig and buy one and report back! :sign:

Matthew, mail for you went out this morning. No dc# though, sorry. I completely spaced it when I mailed the box. Lemme know when it arrives.

Trey

 

[BlindedByScience]

Lose the bag and use an old mayo or mason jar. Much better results.

If you don't have one, try double or even triple bagging the test environment. I've always found 12 hours is the magic number.

Good luck - B.B.S.

 

[mziter]

Thanks a lot everyone!

I did the salt test and the calibration packet that I bought with the humi multiple times each and it always came out to be around 12-13% low. I wanted to start seasoning the humi though so I put it in with a bowl of water and it is reading 50% which means it is actually somewhere around 62-63%.

When it gets to around %65 do you think it will be safe to throw in a few cigars? I have a 3 5-packs showing up today and don't have too great of a temporary storage (most of my Tupperware smells like food.)

 

[mziter]

Do you think I should put the cigars in two ziplocs with a gel humidifier or can I put them in the humi?

 

[Joho]

I did a salt test following the directions and left the hygrometer in the baggy for about 12 hours and noticed that the humidity had increased but topped out around 61%-62%. Left it in for another 4 hours and no movement.

Woah, woah! Doesn't the salt test take at least 24 hours? My Wal-Mart digital hygrometer took nearly 36 hours to hit 75%, but it did eventually. I'd say for future reference, salt test for 24-48 hours.

 

[mziter]

I did a salt test following the directions and left the hygrometer in the baggy for about 12 hours and noticed that the humidity had increased but topped out around 61%-62%. Left it in for another 4 hours and no movement.

Woah, woah! Doesn't the salt test take at least 24 hours? My Wal-Mart digital hygrometer took nearly 36 hours to hit 75%, but it did eventually. I'd say for future reference, salt test for 24-48 hours.

I thought that the pinned salt test directions said 6? Anyways, I did the humipak for over 24hrs before the salt test. The salt test was just to double check.

By the way. The pinned link for the salt test under the Humidor section is broken. Who should I tell about that?

 

[klipsch]

I've got a few humidors from Dave (cheaphumidors.com), and even though I'm using digital hygros in 2 of the 3 I've thrown every one of them in the bag to calibrate. (2 digi and 3 analog) 2 of the 3 analogs were withing 1-2% (one was dead on) and the third was 5% low. The plastic ring you mentioned is supposed to come off of the hygro. I use the analog ones that came with the humidors in other places. As long as you know what the deviance is...the stock one that you have will work fine. But digital is way cooler...

 

[mziter]

I've got a few humidors from Dave (cheaphumidors.com), and even though I'm using digital hygros in 2 of the 3 I've thrown every one of them in the bag to calibrate. (2 digi and 3 analog) 2 of the 3 analogs were withing 1-2% (one was dead on) and the third was 5% low. The plastic ring you mentioned is supposed to come off of the hygro. I use the analog ones that came with the humidors in other places. As long as you know what the deviance is...the stock one that you have will work fine. But digital is way cooler...

If I took the plastic ring off wouldn't it not fit snugly on the front?

 

[klipsch]

That molding on the inside of the lid is generic. I've removed it from all three of my humi's...mainly because one side of it would be empty (different humidifier). That plastic ring covers the holes that the hygro reads the humidity through.

 

[Joho]

I thought that the pinned salt test directions said 6? Anyways, I did the humipak for over 24hrs before the salt test. The salt test was just to double check.

By the way. The pinned link for the salt test under the Humidor section is broken. Who should I tell about that?

I purchased a humidor calibration kit from CheapHumidors and the instructions said 24-48 hours.

As for the salt test, I don't think I've ever had a hygrometer hit 75% humidity under 24 hours. Then again I've only tested two.

 

[mziter]

That molding on the inside of the lid is generic. I've removed it from all three of my humi's...mainly because one side of it would be empty (different humidifier). That plastic ring covers the holes that the hygro reads the humidity through.

My hygrometer doesn't go under my lid, it goes in a hole in the front of my humidor. I am pretty sure it will not fit properly if I take the plastic off, but you say that I should expose the holes underneath.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!

 

[Spad31]

Step one: PANIC!

Step two: Send me all your smokes for safe keeping!

Step three: Profit?

:whistling:


Seriously, all will be well. Since we can't see pics of your humi/hygro, it's hard to know exactly what you're talking about. If you have one of the front or top mounting hygros, chances are you don't have to remove anything for it to work. Look closely at it, be calm and you'll figure it out. Patience is the key. As long as your smokes are safely stored w/ proper humidification, they don't care at all about the hygro. Wanna upload a couple close-ups for clarification?


P.S....no need to panic. Ignore step one. (Step two is a MUST, however!)

Trey


Edit to add: Sounds to me like you have one of the little humidification devices that you can rotate "open" to allow more moisture out, vice "closing" down the holes to lessen its effect. Is that accurate?

T

 

[mziter]

My GF has my camera at the moment.

Without the ring it doesn't fit (I tried it) and it doesn't have any effect on the size if turned. So I am pretty sure that I HAVE to have it on.

The ring only covers the metal part of the hygro. There is a different material on the bottom of the hygro that I believed was the part that measured. But there metal part (covered in ring) does have four holes.

The meter is also moving when doing to salt test with the ring on. So I think it is fine.