Pulled my humidifiers... Now what do I do?

[qmccauley]

I bought a new humidor in December (200-count, dual humidifiers). It came with the green sponge humidifiers (which Ive never used before). Everything was going great until the last 3-4 weeks. I seasoned it properly from the beginning, but once I re-hydrated the humidifiers, the humidity went thru the roof. The damage so far has been minimal, but I'm stumped. After two weeks of battling this, I finally pulled my humidifiers out two days ago, and the the temp & humidity has balanced at around 69 degrees and 71%. My question now is how to proceed. I've looked into heartfelt bead humidifiers, but don't know if I should risk putting any humidifiers back in. Then again, what do I do if the humidity drops on me and I'm unprepared. Any help is much appreciated!!

 

[CBoukal]

Well you didn't fill out your profile so we don't know where you are from, but it sounds like its a seasonal issue to me.  There is tons of great information on here about that.   Throw away your sponge and get beads, read the rules here, post an introduction, stay around a while and you will learn more than you need/want to know

 

[broblues]

Sponge type humidification offers absolutely non-controlled humidification.  I suggest purchasing either a small electronic humidifier, or switching to Boveda packs or heartfelt beads.  I use the 65% Boveda packs and honestly, don't pay much attention to my level.  I know they work and I trust them.  I pull one out every once in a while to check it and replace as required.  I imagine in Texas, swings in temperature and humidity are nuts.  I'm in Indiana, we have zero humidity in the winter and extreme humidity in late summer.  Humidity spikes are a killer and can ruin your sticks.  Hopefully other Brothers will weigh in here to help with your decision. 

 

[Rod]

What's the RH in your house?

 

[qmccauley]

What's the RH in your house?

I honestly don't know! I'll pull my hygrometer when I get back home and see what it reads. I was so excited to go from a 25-count box to 200-count chest but never anticipated this kind of frustration Just don't want to lose any more cigars!

 

[qmccauley]

Sponge type humidification offers absolutely non-controlled humidification.  I suggest purchasing either a small electronic humidifier, or switching to Boveda packs or heartfelt beads.  I use the 65% Boveda packs and honestly, don't pay much attention to my level.  I know they work and I trust them.  I pull one out every once in a while to check it and replace as required.  I imagine in Texas, swings in temperature and humidity are nuts.  I'm in Indiana, we have zero humidity in the winter and extreme humidity in late summer.  Humidity spikes are a killer and can ruin your sticks.  Hopefully other Brothers will weigh in here to help with your decision. 

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, it's crazy here. 62 and raining one day, literally 80 and dry as a bone the next. I'm definitely going to stop by my local cigar shop on the way home; I called earlier and they carry both the gel packs & bead humidifiers. My last humidor (30-50 count) had a bead humidifier in it, and the first thing that worried me with my new box was how cheap and cra*py the sponge humi's looked; should've trusted my gut!

 

[broblues]

What's the RH in your house?

I honestly don't know! I'll pull my hygrometer when I get back home and see what it reads. I was so excited to go from a 25-count box to 200-count chest but never anticipated this kind of frustration Just don't want to lose any more cigars!

Please take a couple of minutes and go to the introduction thread, and let everyone know a little bit about you.  It is our #1 rule.  You should have done that 1st.  Thanks!

 

[qmccauley]

 

What's the RH in your house?

I honestly don't know! I'll pull my hygrometer when I get back home and see what it reads. I was so excited to go from a 25-count box to 200-count chest but never anticipated this kind of frustration Just don't want to lose any more cigars!

Please take a couple of minutes and go to the introduction thread, and let everyone know a little bit about you.  It is our #1 rule.  You should have done that 1st.  Thanks!

Done & done!

 

[qmccauley]

 

 

What's the RH in your house?

I honestly don't know! I'll pull my hygrometer when I get back home and see what it reads. I was so excited to go from a 25-count box to 200-count chest but never anticipated this kind of frustration Just don't want to lose any more cigars!

Please take a couple of minutes and go to the introduction thread, and let everyone know a little bit about you.  It is our #1 rule.  You should have done that 1st.  Thanks!

Done & done!

RH in the house is sitting at 59%; temp is up & down as the AC runs between 71-73F. Humidor has now sat for over 24hrs with no humidification and is balancing out nicely! I picked up two Xikar bead humidifiers and a bottle of propylene glycol. Going to hold off installing the Xikar's until it's necessary; a handful of my sticks were getting a little soft as of a couple days ago, but the drying time has allowed them to get crispy again and there's no signs of splitting (so far). Thanks again for walking me through the paces today - much appreciated, sir!! Let me know your thoughts from here out!

 

[MadMonk]

I used green foam humidifiers for many years and never had a bit of trouble. If you use the proper amount of pg, and then figure out how much H2O to add when humidity hits your lowest comfort RH, it is pretty simple. I used to have to add very little water. The trick is once you get the humidity to your target point, say 69%...and humidity drops to your lowest chosen point, say 65%, you add about a tsp of water or solution, and give it a day to see how much it goes up. If one or 2 points, give it another day or 2 and see what happens, then add another tsp, or leave it alone.  You could use beads or gel, and they are great, but also take some mental note taking to determine when to add water, and how much water. I think the biggest problem most folks have is that they add too much water all at once, rather than tweaking.

 

[Ferkondenster]

Sponge type humidification offers absolutely non-controlled humidification.  I suggest purchasing either a small electronic humidifier, or switching to Boveda packs or heartfelt beads.  I use the 65% Boveda packs and honestly, don't pay much attention to my level.  I know they work and I trust them.  I pull one out every once in a while to check it and replace as required.  I imagine in Texas, swings in temperature and humidity are nuts.  I'm in Indiana, we have zero humidity in the winter and extreme humidity in late summer.  Humidity spikes are a killer and can ruin your sticks.  Hopefully other Brothers will weigh in here to help with your decision. 

Lately I've been hearing a lot of people mention heartfelt beads. What makes them better than Xikar? i have been planning to buy some xikar propylene glycol solution and one of thier crystal humidifier things, but have yet to do so.
So are heartfelt beads/humidifiers better for some special reason?

 

[extremeXconcepts]

I use the boveda packs mentioned above. 2 way control and very reliable. Quick easy and no worries. Give them a shot.

 

[smokem]

Sponge type humidification offers absolutely non-controlled humidification.  I suggest purchasing either a small electronic humidifier, or switching to Boveda packs or heartfelt beads.  I use the 65% Boveda packs and honestly, don't pay much attention to my level.  I know they work and I trust them.  I pull one out every once in a while to check it and replace as required.  I imagine in Texas, swings in temperature and humidity are nuts.  I'm in Indiana, we have zero humidity in the winter and extreme humidity in late summer.  Humidity spikes are a killer and can ruin your sticks.  Hopefully other Brothers will weigh in here to help with your decision. 

Lately I've been hearing a lot of people mention heartfelt beads. What makes them better than Xikar? i have been planning to buy some xikar propylene glycol solution and one of thier crystal humidifier things, but have yet to do so.
So are heartfelt beads/humidifiers better for some special reason?

 
 The nice thing about the beads is you don't need any glycol, or anything else for that matter. I just spritz mine every now and again with distilled water from a small spray bottle I picked up.