New to the Cigars, been doing research, now I have a question

[IanHummel]

I'm fairly new to cigars and humidors. I have been doing a TON of reading about humidors, seasoning, and proper ways to keep it level. My buddy recently gave a a seasoned box that was ready to go (so he says). I purchased Madelaine Crystal Humidifier Jar and the solution and filled it up to the line and put it in. I have about 10 sticks in the box right now. I do not however have a hygrometer (I'm purchasing a digi today after work). My question is this. The shop by me got in a box of Opus X Fuente Fuente's and I picked up 4, however, they weren't in a humidor (i bought them right when they got the box) and they are kind of hard. They've been in my humidor for about 5 days now and still seem pretty hard. I also have a CAO Soprano Boss that I got at a CAO event. They gave away an Associate, Soldier, and Boss. The Associate is still feeling good, however the Boss from day one was just hard (and still is). It's been sitting in my humidor for over a week. My question is, what's the best way to get these 5 sticks back to good health? I was thinking of putting them in tupperwear with another humidifier for a couple days. Thoughts? I guess my first step should probably be get my digi and see where the box stands. The jar is supposed to keep the box at 70%. If the box turns out that it's not seasoned correctly, I was going to get a seasoning pad that'll season it in a couple days to 84%. At that point, whould I then put the crystal jar back in and then let it come down to 70% and place the cigars back in? I'd like it ready to go (if it has to be re-seasoned) for when my Siglo IV and VI's come in at the end of the week......

Thanks everyone!

 

[grateful1]

I'm fairly new to cigars and humidors. I have been doing a TON of reading about humidors, seasoning, and proper ways to keep it level. My buddy recently gave a a seasoned box that was ready to go (so he says). I purchased Madelaine Crystal Humidifier Jar and the solution and filled it up to the line and put it in. I have about 10 sticks in the box right now. I do not however have a hygrometer (I'm purchasing a digi today after work). My question is this. The shop by me got in a box of Opus X Fuente Fuente's and I picked up 4, however, they weren't in a humidor (i bought them right when they got the box) and they are kind of hard. They've been in my humidor for about 5 days now and still seem pretty hard. I also have a CAO Soprano Boss that I got at a CAO event. They gave away an Associate, Soldier, and Boss. The Associate is still feeling good, however the Boss from day one was just hard (and still is). It's been sitting in my humidor for over a week. My question is, what's the best way to get these 5 sticks back to good health? I was thinking of putting them in tupperwear with another humidifier for a couple days. Thoughts? I guess my first step should probably be get my digi and see where the box stands. The jar is supposed to keep the box at 70%. If the box turns out that it's not seasoned correctly, I was going to get a seasoning pad that'll season it in a couple days to 84%. At that point, whould I then put the crystal jar back in and then let it come down to 7
0% and place the cigars back in? I'd like it ready to go (if it has to be re-seasoned) for when my Siglo IV and VI's come in at the end of the week......

Thanks everyone!

???

 

[alexgtp]

www.getthepuck.com NOW!!!!

 

[tone-ny]

I'm fairly new to cigars and humidors. I have been doing a TON of reading about humidors, seasoning, and proper ways to keep it level. My buddy recently gave a a seasoned box that was ready to go (so he says). I purchased Madelaine Crystal Humidifier Jar and the solution and filled it up to the line and put it in. I have about 10 sticks in the box right now. I do not however have a hygrometer (I'm purchasing a digi today after work). My question is this. The shop by me got in a box of Opus X Fuente Fuente's and I picked up 4, however, they weren't in a humidor (i bought them right when they got the box) and they are kind of hard. They've been in my humidor for about 5 days now and still seem pretty hard. I also have a CAO Soprano Boss that I got at a CAO event. They gave away an Associate, Soldier, and Boss. The Associate is still feeling good, however the Boss from day one was just hard (and still is). It's been sitting in my humidor for over a week. My question is, what's the best way to get these 5 sticks back to good health? I was thinking of putting them in tupperwear with another humidifier for a couple days. Thoughts? I guess my first step should probably be get my digi and see where the box stands. The jar is supposed to keep the box at 70%. If the box turns out that it's not seasoned correctly, I was going to get a seasoning pad that'll season it in a couple days to 84%. At that point, whould I then put the crystal jar back in and then let it come down to 7
0% and place the cigars back in? I'd like it ready to go (if it has to be re-seasoned) for when my Siglo IV and VI's come in at the end of the week......

Thanks everyone!

???

X2

 

[NullSmurf]

I'm fairly new to cigars and humidors. I have been doing a TON of reading about humidors, seasoning, and proper ways to keep it level. My buddy recently gave a a seasoned box that was ready to go (so he says). I purchased Madelaine Crystal Humidifier Jar and the solution and filled it up to the line and put it in. I have about 10 sticks in the box right now. I do not however have a hygrometer (I'm purchasing a digi today after work). My question is this. The shop by me got in a box of Opus X Fuente Fuente's and I picked up 4, however, they weren't in a humidor (i bought them right when they got the box) and they are kind of hard. They've been in my humidor for about 5 days now and still seem pretty hard. I also have a CAO Soprano Boss that I got at a CAO event. They gave away an Associate, Soldier, and Boss. The Associate is still feeling good, however the Boss from day one was just hard (and still is). It's been sitting in my humidor for over a week. My question is, what's the best way to get these 5 sticks back to good health? I was thinking of putting them in tupperwear with another humidifier for a couple days. Thoughts? I guess my first step should probably be get my digi and see where the box stands. The jar is supposed to keep the box at 70%. If the box turns out that it's not seasoned correctly, I was going to get a seasoning pad that'll season it in a couple days to 84%. At that point, whould I then put the crystal jar back in and then let it come down to 7
0% and place the cigars back in? I'd like it ready to go (if it has to be re-seasoned) for when my Siglo IV and VI's come in at the end of the week......

Thanks everyone!

???

Pessimist!

 

[IanHummel]

Wow, thanks for the helpful input. My buddy is going to be holding the cigars that come in at the end of the week in his humidor until I get my situation set up. For now my cigars are going in bags until this issue gets resolved. Could someone give me a little more help rather than faces? The thing is that the sticks that were purchased and were already well off are still ok and fresh, the others that are hard I just can't seem to get them moisterized.

 

[tone-ny]

Wow, thanks for the helpful input. My buddy is going to be holding the cigars that come in at the end of the week in his humidor until I get my situation set up. For now my cigars are going in bags until this issue gets resolved. Could someone give me a little more help rather than faces? The thing is that the sticks that were purchased and were already well off are still ok and fresh, the others that are hard I just can't seem to get them moisterized.

Okay here goes do a search on humidors on Cigar Pass and you'll get plenty of information to keep you busy for a few days. After you've done this come and ask questions of the things you have an issue with. Different cigars will feel different based on the roller or tobacco or style of cigar many variables. So pinching your cigars are not an indicator for proper humidification. Hope that helps you, but we have had a rash of people asking the same information over the last few weeks.

Welcome to CP and tells about yourself in the introduction section.

 

[grateful1]

Wow, thanks for the helpful input. My buddy is going to be holding the cigars that come in at the end of the week in his humidor until I get my situation set up. For now my cigars are going in bags until this issue gets resolved. Could someone give me a little more help rather than faces? The thing is that the sticks that were purchased and were already well off are still ok and fresh, the others that are hard I just can't seem to get them moisterized.

Okay here goes do a search on humidors on Cigar Pass and you'll get plenty of information to keep you busy for a few days. After you've done this come and ask questions of the things you have an issue with. Different cigars will feel different based on the roller or tobacco or style of cigar many variables. So pinching your cigars are not an indicator for proper humidification. Hope that helps you, but we have had a rash of people asking the same information over the last few weeks.

Welcome to CP and tells about yourself in the introduction section.

x2

 

[rbbrock]

I do not however have a hygrometer (I'm purchasing a digi today after work).

Until you have bought and calibrated your hygro and can determine whether your humi is wet or dry or juuuuusssttt right, there's really nothing anyone can do for you.

 

[Ginseng]

Right on. What the gentlemen said.

Besides, "hard" is sort of a subjective term and not one that is commonly associated with the degree of humidification of a cigar. In my experience, it's associated with construction and materials of construction. For example, tightly rolled cigars using Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper/binder can feel almost rock hard. Also, many Fuente sticks feel quite firm.

A cigar can feel dry, spongy, damp, and a whole lot of other ways. Some relate to overhumidification and some relate to underhumidification.

You really can't hurt the cigars by storing them in tupperware kept in a cool place for a few days. Just get a digital humidifier if you are going to stay in this.

Wilkey

 

[mr.mac]

Right on. What the gentlemen said.

Besides, "hard" is sort of a subjective term and not one that is commonly associated with the degree of humidification of a cigar. In my experience, it's associated with construction and materials of construction. For example, tightly rolled cigars using Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper/binder can feel almost rock hard. Also, many Fuente sticks feel quite firm.

A cigar can feel dry, spongy, damp, and a whole lot of other ways. Some relate to overhumidification and some relate to underhumidification.

You really can't hurt the cigars by storing them in tupperware kept in a cool place for a few days. Just get a digital humidifier if you are going to stay in this.

Wilkey

Digital humidifier??? ???

 

[DePasta]

Looks like weatherstripping could help....I used the search function and got the following thread.......http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?...mp;#entry267325

 

[IanHummel]

I'm going to buy and calibrate a digital this evening. Then I'm going to put it in my box tomorrow while I'm at work and when I come home see where it stands. I'll update this thread then and see what action needs to be taken. If it has to be re-seasoned I'm going to get a Boveda seasoning pouch and throw it in there. I'm going to swap the cigars into some tupperwear for now I guess.

 

[mr.mac]

I'm going to buy and calibrate a digital this evening. Then I'm going to put it in my box tomorrow while I'm at work and when I come home see where it stands. I'll update this thread then and see what action needs to be taken. If it has to be re-seasoned I'm going to get a Boveda seasoning pouch and throw it in there. I'm going to swap the cigars into some tupperwear for now I guess.

Remember... patience is a virtue. I too was excited to get things rolling with a new humi. Took several weeks for everything to calm down and even out though. Make sure you salt test your hygro... as I have tested several store bought models that were horribly off.

Also, as someone else mentioned, introduce yourself in the "Introduce yourself" thread. If not... you will probably catch a little heat for just jumpin right in without the proper introduction. :whistling:

Lots of good info on this site. Everyone's been real friendly... and entertaining as hell! :laugh:

mac

 

[hudsonvalley]

Lots of great information here

 

[Wurm]

Sometimes hard means your cigars are too wet. As are most cigars when they leave the shop (in my experiance most shops keep their stock between 70 and 75% RH.

Get in the habit of letting all your new purchases rest for a few weeks in your humidor after bringing them home and you'll notice a difference in both how they feel and how they smoke.

Unless of course you decide to also store your cigars at such a high %RH. Most of us here store at 65%.

Use search and look up "Viper's Beads" its an investment that you will never regret.

Welcome to CP!

Shawn

 

[Ginseng]

Oh gosh. I meant digital hygrometer. Or if you get the Oasis XL, it's digital and contains a hygrometer and humidifier.

Wilkey

 

[IanHummel]

Here is a little update. I have moved the cigars into a tupperwear container with my crystal jar for now. The digital hygrometer is calibrating right now. It's been about 3 hours and it'll still reading pretty low with the salt solution in the bag (it was reading 71% in the open air now it's been sitting at 68% for the most part since placing it in the bag with the 2 liter cap mixed with the salt mixture). I'm going to check it in the AM, hopefully all will be calibrated then and be near 75%. The humidor is seasoning right now. Tomorrow after work I will put the hygrometer into it an continue the seasoning process until it reaches 70%.

One question, if I wake up tomorrow morning and the hygrometer is still reading 68%, does this mean it's just 7% off or is it possible I may have screwed up this easy process?

 

[IanHummel]

Ok, Hygrometer read in at 73% this morning, so it's 2% off. It's now sitting in the humidor for it's second day of seasoning. I will check it when I get home.

 

[BobbyRitz]

Ian...take a deep breath...your humi will be fine.

Rod doesn't have the server space to absorb morning and evening updates of + or - 1% on your humidity.

Rob