Humidor not working?

[jkartus]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a humidor and followed the instructions on how to season it, calibrate my hygrometer, etc. I've read the threads on these two topics and they were similar to what I've done. When I calibrated the hygrometer, it did not quite reach 75%. I was not shocked since it is a very cheap hygrometer. However, I've now had it in the humidor with a shot glass of water and charged humidifier for days and it has not moved from 55.

Do you guys have any idea what the problem could be?

I've tried a new solution for the humidifier with no improvement. What else can I try to? Is it possible that I'm simply not using enough distilled water/solution on my humidifier? I feel like I poured quite a bit.

Thanks for your help.

 

[tomthirtysix]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a humidor and followed the instructions on how to season it, calibrate my hygrometer, etc. I've read the threads on these two topics and they were similar to what I've done. When I calibrated the hygrometer, it did not quite reach 75%. I was not shocked since it is a very cheap hygrometer. However, I've now had it in the humidor with a shot glass of water and charged humidifier for days and it has not moved from 55.

Do you guys have any idea what the problem could be?

I've tried a new solution for the humidifier with no improvement. What else can I try to? Is it possible that I'm simply not using enough distilled water/solution on my humidifier? I feel like I poured quite a bit.

Thanks for your help.

Welcome to CP. Head on over to the Intro Forum and tell us a little bit about yourself.

In the two threads you read, did you catch the part about the digital hygrometer? I'm guessing yours in analog by the way you dismiss it as cheap. Throw it out, it won't give you an accurate reading.

 

[jkartus]

I am already considering buying a digital hygrometer. However, my problem is not that my hygrometer isn't accurate. Rather, I'm worried because it hasn't moved at all since it's been in the humidor, while it did register a change when I was calibrating it. It seems like either my humidifier is not creating humidity or my humidor is not locking it in. Any thoughts or advice on how I can check on either of these issues?

 

[grateful1]

I am already considering buying a digital hygrometer. However, my problem is not that my hygrometer isn't accurate. Rather, I'm worried because it hasn't moved at all since it's been in the humidor, while it did register a change when I was calibrating it. It seems like either my humidifier is not creating humidity or my humidor is not locking it in. Any thoughts or advice on how I can check on either of these issues?

If it only reached 75% when tested...then that's your 100% mark.

Without doing the real math(I was told there would be no math)...55% would be your 73% humidity...so, it seems like it's working!

edit...has the shot glass been evaporating?

 

[tomthirtysix]

Buy the digital hygro now. Keep the shot glass in there. You say it's already been in there days, so by the time the hygro gets to you, it should be seasoned. Analog hygros move when they want. You can tap it, and increase the humidity reading 10%, or drop it in water and see no change.

The easiest ways to check your humidor seal:

-Drop test: Open the lid, then drop it closed. If it bangs shut, it has a bad seal. You should hear a swoosh kind of sound when it closes.

-Dollar bill test: Open the humidor. Put a dollar bill over the side, close the lid, pull the dollar. If it slides right out, it has a bad seal. There should be a decent amount of resistance. Try this all around the edge.

-Flashlight test: Take the humidor into a dark room. Put a flashlight inside the closed humidor. Make sure it's turned on. If you can see the light, you have a bad seal.

 

[jkartus]

Buy the digital hygro now. Keep the shot glass in there. You say it's already been in there days, so by the time the hygro gets to you, it should be seasoned. Analog hygros move when they want. You can tap it, and increase the humidity reading 10%, or drop it in water and see no change.

The easiest ways to check your humidor seal:

-Drop test: Open the lid, then drop it closed. If it bangs shut, it has a bad seal. You should hear a swoosh kind of sound when it closes.

-Dollar bill test: Open the humidor. Put a dollar bill over the side, close the lid, pull the dollar. If it slides right out, it has a bad seal. There should be a decent amount of resistance. Try this all around the edge.

-Flashlight test: Take the humidor into a dark room. Put a flashlight inside the closed humidor. Make sure it's turned on. If you can see the light, you have a bad seal.

Thanks a lot. Those are great suggestions. I'll try those and probably pick up a digital hygro at the cigar shop later.

 

[MoeCizlak]

In the meantime, take his first bit of advice and go post an intro and stick around. Lots of great info here on how to maintain your humi and what great cigars are out there. The best piece of advice he has given you.

 

[bluue13]

+1 what everyone else has said. Also, the needles of analog hygros are notorious for getting stuck so that is probably what is happening here. I have one I keep with my desktop just for fun (I like the way it looks) but the needle has never moved from 60. I go by my digital which is right beside it.

Good luck, welcome to CP!