Old humidor, new problem

[Glacies]

I've had this particular humidor for about 5 years. I coniditioned it when I got it, and it ran wet for a while (about 72%). Then I had a big dry spell (somewhere under 60). In between, for a while, it was fine.

Frustrated, several weeks ago, I put in a digital hydro, and the 65% beads. Within 3 days I was at 63% - excellent. It sat there for 3 weeks and I couldn't have been happier. Yesterday I decided to smoke on of my last DPG's and the damn thing was crunchy. It tasted harsh and burned hot. Typical dry cigar stuff.

What the hell?

I figured if it was at my target humidity, I didn't have to worry about anything, so how can these be dry? I can't find a way to calibrate my hydrometer, but it's reading what the beads should be doing so I'm thinking it's right. Should I have reconditioned the humidor?

Sorry if this is a newbie question, just frustrated.

 

[tsmckenney]

You'll have to salt test that hygrometer. That's discussed here at length, quick search and you're there.

 

[rectifythis]

I did exactly the same thing a long time ago...I ended up needing to add a dish of water along with beads and not open it or touch it until it read 70% (from a salt tested hygro) I also (reluctantly) wiped down the walls of the humi ever so mildly. Some will say this ruins the wood...I never had any issues with it, as long as it is not sopping. Took over a month for a 150 count desktop.

 

[Allofus123]

Whats the question?

Whats less than 60% mean and how do you know this? How long was it at this level? Three weeks at mid 60's humidity is not going to rehydrate dried out smokes.

Doesn't sound like a humidor problem.

 

[Glacies]

It was like 55 for a few months. Yeah I lost a few smokes, nothing premium (moved from one apartment to another, then in 3 months, turned around again).

I guess I'm asking that after the dry spell, was it necessary to recondition my humidor?

How can my smokes be dry if it's at 65% when the particular smokes that are in there have never (AFAIK) seen below that?

 

[xRanger]

If it was at 55% for a few months, I would say you need to recondition it. Putting 65% beads in after that amount of time will pull the moisture from the beads, and leave them dry as well, IMHO. Also, as others have said, salt test the hygro.

Bill

 

[Glacies]

Is it significant that the DPG wasn't in cello?

I smoked a cigar last night after a 12 hour day at the office yesterday (tool needed to ship that didn't work). It was an AVO and it was wrapped in cello. Smoked perfect, seemed it was at the perfect humidity.