I am new to the forums and so far enjoyed the information I've seen. I am also new to cigars and just got my 200 count humidor two weeks ago (a neighbor gave me 100 cigars from her dad's shop and I got 100 from the place I got the humidor from.
It came with a digital hygrometer and I wasn't aware of salt & bag test at the time. So I just popped it in after wiping down the inside and letting it sit overnight.
The hygrometer read 73-74% inside the humidor.
I also decided to get a travel humidor and ordered one that had a analog hygrometer. That didn't last, but a few days. I found after wrapping a towel around it, I got it to 99% about. Then it went down to 50 and stayed there. I tried turning the screw, it would spring back to 50. Why is this?? So I turned and turned and it turns with no problem, but stays wherever I put the needle. 30%, 75%, 90%. So I figure it's shot.
So I found a small "Reindeer" digital hygrometer that looks like a small cigar. By now, I've heard of the salt test, so I decide to test it and my bigger digital that came with my original humidor.
After the salt test, my big digital was at 78% (+3) and the small one was at 83% (+8) Both maintained this for several hours after the test, so I was sure the bag was at 75%.
I was really shocked at the small digital at +8%, that is alot of compensate. At least with the big digital, I know I was around 70-71% after compensating the 3%.
However, ironically I put both digital guages in my humidor and after the weekend they were within 2% of eachother! The larger one reading about what it always had (73%), but now the smaller one reading about 75%. So I have no clue what to compensate at anymore ???
I realize I won't have a 100% truly perfect hygrometer and certainly not two that read the same. But I'd like to be close so I know what my real humidity is. BTW, the temperature readings were right on with both digitals.
Also, what's the deal with analog hygrometers? What causes the needle to "spring" back if I try and turn it? Obviously, I feel I broke mine by turning to much to where it doesn't register anything.
Lastly, what is the easiest way to maintain proper temp and humidity? I live near Miami, so it is hot and humid alot. Last week, my temp inside my humidor was about that of my house, 76 degrees. I realize this is alittle high, but how do I lower the temp inside the humidor? The past couple days, it has been in the 50s at night, so the humidor was in the 60s, which was nice, but it goes up during the day.
I also haven't re-filled my humidifiers in my big humidor since I've had it now, for two weeks. I used distilled water and they feel light now, but I guess I should wait until my humidity level drops into the low 60s? Is this also because of the humidity developed by wiping down the humidor initially and the cigars holding it?
How often should I expect to fill the humidifiers?
Thanks
It came with a digital hygrometer and I wasn't aware of salt & bag test at the time. So I just popped it in after wiping down the inside and letting it sit overnight.
The hygrometer read 73-74% inside the humidor.
I also decided to get a travel humidor and ordered one that had a analog hygrometer. That didn't last, but a few days. I found after wrapping a towel around it, I got it to 99% about. Then it went down to 50 and stayed there. I tried turning the screw, it would spring back to 50. Why is this?? So I turned and turned and it turns with no problem, but stays wherever I put the needle. 30%, 75%, 90%. So I figure it's shot.
So I found a small "Reindeer" digital hygrometer that looks like a small cigar. By now, I've heard of the salt test, so I decide to test it and my bigger digital that came with my original humidor.
After the salt test, my big digital was at 78% (+3) and the small one was at 83% (+8) Both maintained this for several hours after the test, so I was sure the bag was at 75%.
I was really shocked at the small digital at +8%, that is alot of compensate. At least with the big digital, I know I was around 70-71% after compensating the 3%.
However, ironically I put both digital guages in my humidor and after the weekend they were within 2% of eachother! The larger one reading about what it always had (73%), but now the smaller one reading about 75%. So I have no clue what to compensate at anymore ???
I realize I won't have a 100% truly perfect hygrometer and certainly not two that read the same. But I'd like to be close so I know what my real humidity is. BTW, the temperature readings were right on with both digitals.
Also, what's the deal with analog hygrometers? What causes the needle to "spring" back if I try and turn it? Obviously, I feel I broke mine by turning to much to where it doesn't register anything.
Lastly, what is the easiest way to maintain proper temp and humidity? I live near Miami, so it is hot and humid alot. Last week, my temp inside my humidor was about that of my house, 76 degrees. I realize this is alittle high, but how do I lower the temp inside the humidor? The past couple days, it has been in the 50s at night, so the humidor was in the 60s, which was nice, but it goes up during the day.
I also haven't re-filled my humidifiers in my big humidor since I've had it now, for two weeks. I used distilled water and they feel light now, but I guess I should wait until my humidity level drops into the low 60s? Is this also because of the humidity developed by wiping down the humidor initially and the cigars holding it?
How often should I expect to fill the humidifiers?
Thanks
