I think i really messed up...

[Delta]

I bought a humidor a couple of months back. I picked up some distilled water and put in the the foam humidification thing and let it sit for a week... I also did the salt and water thing for the hygrometer to make sure everything was legit. I could never seem to get the foam to work right, so i pulled that out and put in a a little gel jar i purchased from my local shop that was supposed to keep the humidity at 70 perfectly...

Now i thing my analog hygrometer is broken because it just does not make any sense.... there is no way in hell i have 90% humidity. And also i was storing my decent cigars with some acid's and i am hoping that the cigars are not a lost cause.

So basically my question is what is the next step i should take to prepare my humidor for some great cigars so i do not have to worry about hurting expensive sticks? And also, are the cigars i had with the acids a lost cause?

And btw, i did not search simply because i think my situation has enough of a differentiation to merit a post.

I am going to try to post some pics of the little setup, don't laugh i have not been doing this very long at all.

and a bonus oyster platter pic from last weekend, just for the hell of it.

 

[northernmoris]

Never store acid with your cigars. Not even the cigar brand.. I used Boveda seasoning packs to season mine. Best bet is to buy Heartfelt beads. You'll never look back.

 

[Not A Nice Person]

Mmmmmmm . . . oysters!

The only things I see potentially wrong with your setup is that you still have a puck in there with the gel jar going, which is pure overkill, and your hygrometer is analog, which means that even if it passed the salt test it's probably still crap.

Toss the puck, get a calibratible digital hygrometer. Never put Acids in there again. You'll be fine in no time.

~Boar

 

[flamchop]

From your post it sounds like you did remove the foam humidifier that came with your humidor altogether, which is good. For now I would even remove that jar and see what readings you get with no humidification at all. Could it be that your ambient humidity is so high it's causing your humi RH to shoot up?

You're going to get this response every time... and that's to get rid of the analog hydro. They can be over 10 percentage points off and usually are. I would buy this, and this, and also buy this. The digital hydro has a magnet on the back so you can mount it in the same spot your analog was. Viper runs the site, he's a respected BOTL in this community and he'll make sure to answer your questions I'm sure.

It already sounds like you know you shouldn't store the acids with the regulars, but it's probably not a lost cause. I wouldn't go as far as tossing those other sticks. Just give it time, then smoke away.

 

[jnknzz]

As of right now, take off and get rid of both those things on your humi lid. You can trust the crystal jar to keep your RH steady as long as the crystals are wet enough (but not too wet). I doubt you're really at 90% but a day without any humidification couldn't hurt. Then get a digital hygro as others have said (and recheck your salt testing method). And of course, get beads.

For the love of God, throw away those Acids!!!!

Derek

==> You're cigars are fine...but lonely!!! (pm me your addy )

 

[Delta]

From your post it sounds like you did remove the foam humidifier that came with your humidor altogether, which is good. For now I would even remove that jar and see what readings you get with no humidification at all. Could it be that your ambient humidity is so high it's causing your humi RH to shoot up?

You're going to get this response every time... and that's to get rid of the analog hydro. They can be over 10 percentage points off and usually are. I would buy this, and this, and also buy this. The digital hydro has a magnet on the back so you can mount it in the same spot your analog was. Viper runs the site, he's a respected BOTL in this community and he'll make sure to answer your questions I'm sure.

It already sounds like you know you shouldn't store the acids with the regulars, but it's probably not a lost cause. I wouldn't go as far as tossing those other sticks. Just give it time, then smoke away.

Ordered, ordered, and ordered. I def like the hygrometer, looks like a nice unit. So i replace the jar with the tube, and just go from there?

Btw, the puck is empty, no foam in there. I just like symmetry.

Oh, and i love the cheap shipping, great site!

 

[Smok'em]

If there were acids in your dor and now you removed them, I would make sure no residual aromas remain. I wouldn't want to put good cigars in a box that smells like perfume. If necessary air it out. If that doesn't work, lightly sand the inside.

 

[collegestu]

there is something else for you to try. my local shop carries a outstanding unit you can see here

I was using the hertfield hum beads, but was not happy with the results. My guru simple told me how is it that the bead are able to hold x amount of water. Then I asked what he meant. He pulled out the clear box and I saw grains like sand. he then said all you need to do is fill the unit to the top of the screen and the grains will explode 400- 800 times their size. I was AMAZED to say the least. it has only been 2 weeks and my humi went from a dangous 62% to a perfect 70 and holding. I can actually see the crystals getting smaller. If you want, it is a bit more than what the regular ones are, but well worth the small price difference.

 

[JLAudio]

there is something else for you to try. my local shop carries a outstanding unit you can see here

I was using the hertfield hum beads, but was not happy with the results. My guru simple told me how is it that the bead are able to hold x amount of water. Then I asked what he meant. He pulled out the clear box and I saw grains like sand. he then said all you need to do is fill the unit to the top of the screen and the grains will explode 400- 800 times their size. I was AMAZED to say the least. it has only been 2 weeks and my humi went from a dangous 62% to a perfect 70 and holding. I can actually see the crystals getting smaller. If you want, it is a bit more than what the regular ones are, but well worth the small price difference.

IMHO, 62% is not dangerously low. I try to store my humi anywhere from 63-66%, and usually it tends to stay at the lower end. Also, 70% is way too high to store cigars at, well let me rephrase that...

Typically, when people store at 70% they must box dry the cigars well before smoking them...plus, if poeple are aging cigars (usually not done in a humidor, but whatever) 70% is starting to get dangerously high. When you keep your cigs stored at higher humidities, you increase the chance for mold and beetles. Just as an example, most stores keep their cigars around 70% or even higher, and because people are walking in/walking out all day long and it keeps cigars supple to touch. Those cigars are exessively wet...and typically go out while smoking them and require more effort (and honestly a good cigar at 65% smokes/tastes much, much different than at 70+%).

It's been discussed on here many times, and actually very recently. It's up to you. Do a search and check out the pros and cons of storing cigars at different humidity levels.

I hope this helps you...I just didn't want every newb to start thinking 70% is the "perfect humidity."


**edited to add: BTW, my cooler is at 62% right now, and has been for at least a week, and my cigars are just fine and smoking perfectly.

 

[stevehawk]

there is something else for you to try. my local shop carries a outstanding unit you can see here

I was using the hertfield hum beads, but was not happy with the results. My guru simple told me how is it that the bead are able to hold x amount of water. Then I asked what he meant. He pulled out the clear box and I saw grains like sand. he then said all you need to do is fill the unit to the top of the screen and the grains will explode 400- 800 times their size. I was AMAZED to say the least. it has only been 2 weeks and my humi went from a dangous 62% to a perfect 70 and holding. I can actually see the crystals getting smaller. If you want, it is a bit more than what the regular ones are, but well worth the small price difference.

IMHO, 62% is not dangerously low. I try to store my humi anywhere from 63-66%, and usually it tends to stay at the lower end. Also, 70% is way too high to store cigars at, well let me rephrase that...

Typically, when people store at 70% they must box dry the cigars well before smoking them...plus, if poeple are aging cigars (usually not done in a humidor, but whatever) 70% is starting to get dangerously high. When you keep your cigs stored at higher humidities, you increase the chance for mold and beetles. Just as an example, most stores keep their cigars around 70% or even higher, and because people are walking in/walking out all day long and it keeps cigars supple to touch. Those cigars are exessively wet...and typically go out while smoking them and require more effort (and honestly a good cigar at 65% smokes/tastes much, much different than at 70+%).

It's been discussed on here many times, and actually very recently. It's up to you. Do a search and check out the pros and cons of storing cigars at different humidity levels.

I hope this helps you...I just didn't want every newb to start thinking 70% is the "perfect humidity."


**edited to add: BTW, my cooler is at 62% right now, and has been for at least a week, and my cigars are just fine and smoking perfectly.

You hit the nail on the head. 70% is too high for some (okay, most) folks. I use 65% beads, but actually prefer the humidity to remain in the lower 60's. Boise is considered high desert and the outside humidity is usually very low, so 62% is perfect for me.

 

[theebug]

This brings up a question I have always had about storing humidity versus smoking humidity:

Doesn't a cigar lose humidity once it is removed from the humidor? While sometimes I smoke a cigar immediately, more times than not there is a lag between when I remove the cigar from the humidor and when I smoke it. Therefore, my reasoning is that I would rather have the cigar slightly more humid in storage because there will be humidity loss by the time I get around to smoking.

Maybe this is making it way too complicated but....

 

[theEpiphany]

Doesn't a cigar lose humidity once it is removed from the humidor? While sometimes I smoke a cigar immediately, more times than not there is a lag between when I remove the cigar from the humidor and when I smoke it. Therefore, my reasoning is that I would rather have the cigar slightly more humid in storage because there will be humidity loss by the time I get around to smoking.

Maybe this is making it way too complicated but....

Yes the Cigar will lose humidity if the environmental humidity is less than that of your humidor. The opposite will happen if you're in a HIGH humidity geographical region (Like after a Rainstorm in Central Florida). You're changing the environment of the Cigar by removing it and thus relying on the environment around. IT might not be a quick 3 second change but if the environmental change happens obviously it's going to affect the objects within that environment in some way shape or form over an unspecified period of time depending on what that item is.


The answer to your question is pretty much is based on the specifics of your routines. When you remove a Cigar from your humi to smoke later, what do you do with it? Put it in your pocket and walk away? Keep it in a bag? Tubo?.....Does it have Cello on it. While Cellophane still breathes, it will hold moisture longer than a cigar without it. Obviously the drying process will happen at an accelerated rate if it's a naked stick rather than having some sort of protection. How long are waiting before you smoke it?

I keep my Humis around 67% +- 2 RH.

I bought a few Tubos and keep a variety of sizes available (I have about 7-8) and put the cigars in those if I'm running to a nightclub or a lounge. It'll normally be a smoke after dinner which is about 3 hours or so after they're removed from the humidor.

I also have a hard leather travel pounch that is Spanish Cedar lined that I slip those into as well to keep them together. They smoke just fine provided that I'm not getting sweaty from swing dancing or something, in which case I always leave them at my table. Actually I normally empty my pockets due to body heat now that I think about it....



Essentially it's your call based on your practices....


ADDED THOUGHT:

Keep this in mind though. You're smoking Cigars a few hours after you remove them from your Humi. We're all shipping cigars to each other, a lot of times only in a Ziplock bag with no Humidipaks or anything which takes a few days. I'd say that most of the cigars get to their destination without any environmental issues impacting them (not including rough handling, accidents, elephant stampedes etc). I think you'll be fine. From my readings, some people have a regular practice of keeping their humis at a 70% RH, so that they can let them breathe for a bit before lighting up.

 

[MoeCizlak]

I bought a humidor a couple of months back. I picked up some distilled water and put in the the foam humidification thing and let it sit for a week... I also did the salt and water thing for the hygrometer to make sure everything was legit. I could never seem to get the foam to work right, so i pulled that out and put in a a little gel jar i purchased from my local shop that was supposed to keep the humidity at 70 perfectly...

Now i thing my analog hygrometer is broken because it just does not make any sense.... there is no way in hell i have 90% humidity. And also i was storing my decent cigars with some acid's and i am hoping that the cigars are not a lost cause.

So basically my question is what is the next step i should take to prepare my humidor for some great cigars so i do not have to worry about hurting expensive sticks? And also, are the cigars i had with the acids a lost cause?

And btw, i did not search simply because i think my situation has enough of a differentiation to merit a post.

I am going to try to post some pics of the little setup, don't laugh i have not been doing this very long at all.

I may just be reading this wrong, but from what you've posted it sounds like you expected the salt test to correct your hygrometer. The salt test is to see what your hygro reads at a given rh. If your hygro read 90% after the salt test then your hygro is reading 15% high. Again, if I'm reading it wrong I apologize.

 

[Delta]

I bought a humidor a couple of months back. I picked up some distilled water and put in the the foam humidification thing and let it sit for a week... I also did the salt and water thing for the hygrometer to make sure everything was legit. I could never seem to get the foam to work right, so i pulled that out and put in a a little gel jar i purchased from my local shop that was supposed to keep the humidity at 70 perfectly...

Now i thing my analog hygrometer is broken because it just does not make any sense.... there is no way in hell i have 90% humidity. And also i was storing my decent cigars with some acid's and i am hoping that the cigars are not a lost cause.

So basically my question is what is the next step i should take to prepare my humidor for some great cigars so i do not have to worry about hurting expensive sticks? And also, are the cigars i had with the acids a lost cause?

And btw, i did not search simply because i think my situation has enough of a differentiation to merit a post.

I am going to try to post some pics of the little setup, don't laugh i have not been doing this very long at all.

I may just be reading this wrong, but from what you've posted it sounds like you expected the salt test to correct your hygrometer. The salt test is to see what your hygro reads at a given rh. If your hygro read 90% after the salt test then your hygro is reading 15% high. Again, if I'm reading it wrong I apologize.

Yeah your reading it wrong, but it is totally cool.

I threw away that pos anyway and ordered a blue tube from heartfelt and one of their round hygrometer's. Currently the hygrometer is being salt tested(one of heartfelt's packs). My humi has been either airing out or i have been putting baking soda in it to get rid of the acid smell. All my cigars are hanging out in a tupperware dish. Hopefully by tonight i will be ready to put the blue tube in the humi and let that start to get set up.

 

[MoeCizlak]

Sorry for the misread, it sounds like your on the right track with the beads. Good luck to you and welcome to CP.

 

[theebug]

Thanks for the post Damien.

I try to keep mine at 70% +/- knowing that I am not as diligent sometimes so the humi's will dip into the 60's on a regular basis. In addition, it is to account for the eventual de-humidification that will take place away from the controlled environment.

So far it has worked out and the dreaded b*gs and m#ld have never showed up. In addition,the Northeast has pretty low humidity (except for some dog days in July and August).

 

[stevehawk]

Thanks for the post Damien.

I try to keep mine at 70% +/- knowing that I am not as diligent sometimes so the humi's will dip into the 60's on a regular basis. In addition, it is to account for the eventual de-humidification that will take place away from the controlled environment.

So far it has worked out and the dreaded b*gs and m#ld have never showed up. In addition,the Northeast has pretty low humidity (except for some dog days in July and August).

You say that you live in a low humidity environment. If that is the case, then you should strive to maintain a somewhat lower humidity in your humidor.

Remember that, once removed from storage, the wrapper of the cigar will lose humidification a lot quicker than the filler. This can result in the wrapper shrinking too quickly, which can cause serious cracks and splits. I (and others) will often wet the wrapper prior to lighting to help prevent this. (You can search old posts to find others' thoughts and methods on this.)

It's really about your local conditions and finding what works best for you and your environment. There is a lot of debate on this, but 70% is usually good for areas where the outside humidity is high. 65% (or lower) is usually better for lower humidity climates.

 

[Delta]

So the hygrometer is reading 75 in the calibration pack thingy. That means it is perfect?

 

[Delta]

UPDATE: I finally got the stupid acids smell out! It took almost a month and two sandings to get rid of the smell. Now i have the heartfelt tube and awesome hygrometer in my humi getting the right rh. Quick question, i am setting this thing up during a very low humidity time in south Louisiana, will i have to make any serious changes when the warmer months come around?

But anyway, in the meantime i had my cigars hanging out in a tupperware container so i got to use my new heartfelt equipment which is top notch.

Huge shout out to Derek for hooking me up! I have really fine tuned my preferences in a really short time. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Fatken]

This answer, right or wrong, will cost you some crawfish! As the humidity rises in Louisiana, so does the use of your air conditioner, which keeps the humidity down. You will probably find that you have to add less water to your beads and they may be pulling the excess humidity out of your humi. I doubt this will happen, but you may have to dry your beads if you notice your rh going up too much.

Regards,

Ken