Hygrometer accuracy

[JayBay]

I have a new humi and RH, of course, is top of mind.

I have a cheap little walmart digital hygrometer which I modified by adding holes into the back cover to allow plenty of air flow when mounted flush. This unit is designed to mount with a clip - and I removed the clip and modified the back per some coolidor instructions I found on another site. I also have an analog hygrometer that came with the humi.

I seasoned the humi per instructions, charging the humidifiers twice, and have charged them once more after another week.

Over the last two days I salt tested both devices by filling a soda bottle cap about 1/2 full of Morton's table salt, moistened with enough water to make damp salt but not mush. That was placed in a ziploc baggie with the hygrometer for 8 to 10 hours. The analog unit was about -7%, so I adjusted it with the screw until it read 75%. The digital unit read -8%, but doesn't seem to have any obvious adjustment screw. I finished testing the analog device last night at 8pm, and reinstalled it in the humi after adjusting it. This morning - it reads 80%! My sticks don't seem swollen at all, but there hasn't likely been enough time for damage to occur. I think I did the testing correctly, although I did not change out the salt for the testing of the 2nd device. However, I tested this unit before inside a plastic food storage container with a spaghetti sauce lid full of moistened salt, and achieved similar results.

I'm concerned about the well-being of my stogies. I need advice here. Do I just need to bite the bullet and buy a better digital unit?

 

[lurch]

I'm no expert but I do believe you're supposed to leave the hygro in the test for a full 24 hrs. I bought the same hygros from WallyWorld and salt tested them right away. They stayed in for 24 hrs. and read a perfect 75% after. I put them in with my Heartfelt beads and they both read a perfect 65%. I think you need to keep them in for another 14-16 hrs. so they can stabalize. Like I said though, I'm no expert on the situation.

 

[BlindedByScience]

I can't find fault with your salt test. My tips;

- I use a shot glass for the salt / water so i can see how wet the salt is.
- I always "double bag" the test environment. I seem to get far more consistent results that way.
- 12 hours seems to be the magic number. Things always seem to be fully equilibrated by that point.

Or, as mentioned, buy beads and don't sweat it.

Keep in mind that you can't "brute force" season a humidor, it takes time. A month or more would not surprise me; that's been my experience before they'll begin to run with any predictable stability.

Good luck - B.B.S.

 

[TugBoat]

I suggest you eventually do a couple things.

1. Buy beads, as far as cigars are concerned one of the best investments you'll ever make.
2. Buy an adjustable hygro. from heartfelt.
3. Buy a calibration kit with the adjustable hygro. from heartfelt.

The calibration kit does the same thing as the salt, but for a couple bucks I find them much easier to use IMHO.

When I calibrate my hygrometers I leave them in for 12 hours, adjust them and leave them in for another 12. If it reads off again I adjust and leave it for another 12, if not I just leave it in for the next 12 hours anyway (I'm sure it's overkill but it works for me.)

 

[mmburtch]

I would add, that hygrometers are designed as "percission" insturments. Percise and accurate are two very different terms. Your hygro should be consistantly off or on by the same ammount as long as the batteries are good. You just need to learn the variance.

 

[pook]

After a number of years of cigar experience, you'll learn that you don't need a hygrometer. You will be able to tell if your cigars are too wet, too dry, or just right, by feel. When I first started with cigars, I was the same way: always obssessing with what the hygrometer read. Now I can tell if I need to add water to my humidifiers by touch.
BTW: having a Set & Forget unit doesn't hurt either

 

[mr.mac]

I always salt test in a lock and seal tupperware. This set up has always given me the most accurate readings. If you use ziplock bags, make sure you double bag. And like everyone else here has indicated, it may take a few weeks for everything to settle down in the humi.

My .02 cents...

mac

 

[IanHummel]

i test my hygros by putting beads in a sealed tupperware container for about 8 hours. Your hygro should read whatever rh the beads are.

 

[NullSmurf]

Keep in mind that when you try to use "accurate" and "hygrometer" in the same sentence, you're in trouble. Trust the beads, Luke.