Humidor Prep...Help

[Flashovr]

Got my first humidor and researched how to prep it, I've found two schools of thought. The first is to wet the inside of the box with distilled water and after placing plastic on the bottom put the damp cloth inside and check after 24 hrs. And the second is too NOT wipe the inside with the distilled water because it could lead to wood damage and maybe mold etc. OK, which is the best way to prepare the humidor?

 

[MilesMingusMonk]

If you do the wipe down method, use a minimal amout of distilled water on the cloth or sponge. Avoid drips. I would aslo avoid the damp cloth on plastic bit, and put a shot glass of distilled water sitting inside your humi instead.

If you want to avoid the wipe down technique, purchase a Boveda seasoning kit.

Do you have a hygrometer? Analog or digital? ( Digital is recommended.)
Have you tested your hygrometer for accuracy?
What method of humidification control do you plan on using? Floral foam ? Beads? Gel ? ( Beads are recommended.)

All the answers to all your questions already exist - make sure to read through the Humidor Forum.

 

[Yeahthatsme]

I prefer to avoid the wiping down method, and instead just put a shot glass or shallow dish of distilled water in the humidor, along with a calibrated hygrometer and whatever humidity device I'm using(get beads), and let it sit until it stays steady around 70% humidity, and then remove the dish of water and let it sit for another few days. It's one of those things you really want to be patient with, better to have it take two weeks than have warped/molded wood.

 

[Flashovr]

If you do the wipe down method, use a minimal amout of distilled water on the cloth or sponge. Avoid drips. I would aslo avoid the damp cloth on plastic bit, and put a shot glass of distilled water sitting inside your humi instead.

If you want to avoid the wipe down technique, purchase a Boveda seasoning kit.

Do you have a hygrometer? Analog or digital? ( Digital is recommended.)
Have you tested your hygrometer for accuracy?
What method of humidification control do you plan on using? Floral foam ? Beads? Gel ? ( Beads are recommended.)

All the answers to all your questions already exist - make sure to read through the Humidor Forum.

MMM, I've decided to follow your advice, minimal wipe down & a shot glass. Heading out today to buy the digital hygrometer.
Thanks

 

[elderboy02]

If you do the wipe down method, use a minimal amout of distilled water on the cloth or sponge. Avoid drips. I would aslo avoid the damp cloth on plastic bit, and put a shot glass of distilled water sitting inside your humi instead.

If you want to avoid the wipe down technique, purchase a Boveda seasoning kit.

Do you have a hygrometer? Analog or digital? ( Digital is recommended.)
Have you tested your hygrometer for accuracy?
What method of humidification control do you plan on using? Floral foam ? Beads? Gel ? ( Beads are recommended.)

All the answers to all your questions already exist - make sure to read through the Humidor Forum.

MMM, I've decided to follow your advice, minimal wipe down & a shot glass. Heading out today to buy the digital hygrometer.
Thanks

Be sure to salt test the digital hygrometer as well. My digitals read all over the place, but I wrote on the back of them how much to add or subrtract from the readout.

 

[thechenman]

If you do the wipe down method, use a minimal amout of distilled water on the cloth or sponge. Avoid drips. I would aslo avoid the damp cloth on plastic bit, and put a shot glass of distilled water sitting inside your humi instead.

If you want to avoid the wipe down technique, purchase a Boveda seasoning kit.

Do you have a hygrometer? Analog or digital? ( Digital is recommended.)
Have you tested your hygrometer for accuracy?
What method of humidification control do you plan on using? Floral foam ? Beads? Gel ? ( Beads are recommended.)

All the answers to all your questions already exist - make sure to read through the Humidor Forum.

MMM, I've decided to follow your advice, minimal wipe down & a shot glass. Heading out today to buy the digital hygrometer.
Thanks

Be sure to salt test the digital hygrometer as well. My digitals read all over the place, but I wrote on the back of them how much to add or subrtract from the readout.

Or you could just get an adjustable digital hyrgrometer like Xikar, Prometheus and a few others make.

 

[LarryLarry]

I have had perfect result gently wetting the interior of my humidor(s) with distilled water from CVS and then a shot glass full of distilled water.

I don't normally start dumping in cigars immediately at 70% and 70*. Instead I let it sit at that level for a week or two. The reason for this much time to season is because I actually want the pores of the wood to be "active" in the humidification instead of merely passively wet at first. Remember that the cigars are essentially sponges that will pull humidity out of the air. If you prep the interior for a little longer, you won't see a huge drop in humidity levels when it goes from zero to many cigars added.

 

[flamchop]

Like others here I highly recommend getting an adjustable digital hydgrometer... and I also recommend the Boveda calibration kits. They are a no brainer to use and are very cheap from places like heartfeltindustries.com.

I have three adjustable hygro's in my win-o-dor and love having the piece of mind. In fact it's been a while and I think I'm going to re-calibrate them just to make sure.

Good luck!

 

[ironpeddler]

If you do the wipe down method, use a minimal amout of distilled water on the cloth or sponge. Avoid drips. I would aslo avoid the damp cloth on plastic bit, and put a shot glass of distilled water sitting inside your humi instead.

If you want to avoid the wipe down technique, purchase a Boveda seasoning kit.

Do you have a hygrometer? Analog or digital? ( Digital is recommended.)
Have you tested your hygrometer for accuracy?
What method of humidification control do you plan on using? Floral foam ? Beads? Gel ? ( Beads are recommended.)

All the answers to all your questions already exist - make sure to read through the Humidor Forum.

MMM, I've decided to follow your advice, minimal wipe down & a shot glass. Heading out today to buy the digital hygrometer.
Thanks

Be sure to salt test the digital hygrometer as well. My digitals read all over the place, but I wrote on the back of them how much to add or subrtract from the readout.

SALT TEST

ADJUSTABLE HYGROMETERS are the best :thumbs: