Help! Hygrometer reading regularly increasing

[The Green Monkey]

My wife got me a Vector desktop humidor for my birthday recently. The folks at my local B&M gave her instructions on how to season it (wiping down the cedar with distilled water, etc.) and further instructions were included in the box.

I followed the directions to affirm that the hygrometer works (putting it in a moist paper towel for 20 minutes, confirming a 100% reading), followed the instructions on seasoning, poured distilled water into the little black plastic rectangular box humidifier (no beads...) and got it to stabilize at just under 70%, so I loaded my meager collection (~8-10 sticks) in, and it was fine for a couple of days.

As soon as we got some rain, I noticed that it had jumped up to about 80%. After lots of fussing, opening, closing, removing the humidifier for 30 minutes here, 30 minutes there, leaving the door cracked, etc., it went back to ~68% or so.

For a few days.

Then it started raining again today, and it's back up to 80%.

I've removed the humidifier and am in the midst of the removing/opening/closing song and dance yet again.

I've inspected the box itself, and it doesn't seem like there are any leaks or flaws in construction anywhere. I'm not about to float it in the bathtub to confirm, but it doesn't seem like that's the problem.

I've done enough searching to realize how imprecise the analog hygrometers are, and it also seems like the bead system is the overwhelming preference, but what can/should I do to help stabilize things?

My wife has suggested that perhaps it needs more cigars. I just sent a PM to get involved with the n00b trade thread, so that aspect should remedy itself eventually. Any other thoughts, short of using different equipment?

 

[bigwhiteash]

Sounds like your hygrometer is reading the ambient Rh, this is actually pretty normal since every time you open the humidore, you let in moist air from the room. you'll probably stop seeing this once you fill the humidor to about 75% capacity with cigars. your wife has the right idea, most wives suggest FEWER cigars, for some reason :whistling:

The Rh of cigars changes very slowly to match their surrounding environment, and take up space that would otherwise be filled with the moist air from your room, (especially after it rains).

You will soon be getting many replies to ditch the analog hygro, get some beads, and not fret too much over relative humidity. once you have some stogies in there, everything should level off nicely

Dennis~

 

[jnknzz]

Digital hygro(use Boveda calibration kit)
Get some beads
Get more cigars
Get a bigger humidor(you'll need it)
And keep reading(it helped me with everything

Hope this helps.

Derek

 

[beyond the band]

Reply number 1 regarding the beads and digital
I am living proof

Oh yeah
Keep that wife of yours!

 

[The Green Monkey]

Thanks for all the help!

I definitely plan on upgrading equipment eventually--probably about the time I inevitably begin constructing a coolador. Hopefully my wife doesn't change her tune in the meantime...

Oh yeah
Keep that wife of yours!

She's definitely a keeper!

 

[Niko]

You need one of these... clicky!

 

[The Green Monkey]

You need one of these... clicky!

Right on! Thanks!

 

[acruce]

As long as your smokes don't feel to spongy and smoke OK I wouldn't worry to much about the fluctuation of the hygro . But I would recommend a digital.


~Andy~

 

[Jaster]

Beads will help regulate the humidity in there by absorbing the excess -- should keep it around 70%.

The other tip is STOP OPENING IT! Get some beads in there, and then let them do their work. Every time you open the humidor, you're pretty much resetting the environment in there.

 

[The Green Monkey]

Beads and digital hygrometer purchased and percolating.

I'll do my best to stop opening and closing it except when obviously necessary...

 

[gt3911]

Hi all,

Interesting stuff, I'm learning alot - or at least trying to! Thanks for all the great info.

I'm curious about humidor hygometer readings, I see alot of hygrometers inside the humidor, but some on the front... for example (here) can this work as effectively as one on the inside?

I also read (here) step 5 saying not to wet the wood, but i've seen pics that appear as though the wood has been wiped. Is this one of them topics that never gets agreed upon?

 

[The Green Monkey]

I'm curious about humidor hygometer readings, I see alot of hygrometers inside the humidor, but some on the front... for example (here) can this work as effectively as one on the inside?

Only the face is on the outside of the box--the real guts of the hygrometer are on the inside where they belong. However, popular experience seems to be that the analog varieties are wildly imprecise compared to their digital counterparts.

I also read (here) step 5 saying not to wet the wood, but i've seen pics that appear as though the wood has been wiped. Is this one of them topics that never gets agreed upon?

I can't offer any insight on the debate between wetting the cedar with distilled water or not, but from one new guy to another, I would recommend that you fill out your profile and also introduce yourself HERE.

 

[gt3911]

Thanks Monkey,

I thought that might of been the case. I'm hoping to get my hands on a digital hygrometer to borrow off a friend (if he can find it) to get an idea of how good / bad mine is, and then, and keep one on the wishlist for a bit.

I made the big noob mistake, my cigar and humidor order arrived, so... filled it up! ??? then did my research and emptied it again :laugh: with the shot glass of water in... Should i be seeing around 100% humidity?

once the shot glass has been in for a good while I intend on buying the solution here although, i'm still trying to understand how wet the humidifier will need to be.

 

[gt3911]

Monkey, I noticed you said a damp paper towel took your reading upto 100% how long did this take?

While waiting for my soultion i've had a shot glass in my humidor for a good 48 hours, i'm still reading 45% ???

My soultion arrived today and i'm a little unsure how wet my humidifier needs to be (plastic like yours, no beads) I've heard mentions of 'a few squirts' but this also sounds like this is their 'maitainance' and not from dry. Can I over wet it? or can i give it a good serving of soultion, then tip it upside down to allow any excess to drip off and then put it in the humidor? or does it just want to be very very slightly damp? From what i've been reading i'm just not sure if we're talking about a tea spoon of soulution or half a cup full :blush:

 

[The Green Monkey]

I popped the hygrometer out of the door and loosely wrapped it in a paper towel for ~20-25 minutes. That took it right up to 100%. I'm sure that there are other ways to confirm that they work or get a baseline reading, but I don't know what they are--I'm pretty new to this also, so I'm uncomfortable giving too much advice on the matter.

However, I do think that light molding I experienced (discussed HERE) was a direct result of over-soaking my humidifier, especially in light of the difficulties I mentioned at the beginning of this thread. I expect that if you start a new topic with your specific questions and situation that some of the more experienced members will be more than happy to offer more concrete and helpful assistance than anything I could muster...