Got To Love My Hygrometers

[papajohn67]

Pulled out 6 digital hygrometers that had been sitting idle. Replaced the batteries & let them sit for 12 hours indoors on my desk. One thing I have to say for them is they were all within a degree or two on the temp's. The Rh readings were another thing:

1. 50%
2. 56%
3. 52%
4. 70%
5. 27%
6. 28%

Ok so now I'm going to test them but does anyone have a suggested model that gives you peace of mind?

[Smokin Gator]

Ok so now I'm going to test them but does anyone have a suggested model that gives you peace of mind?

No... and I feel your pain. Hygros can drive me crazy. I really try to ignore them but it is hard.

[papajohn67]

No... and I feel your pain. Hygros can drive me crazy. I really try to ignore them but it is hard.

These days I pretty much go by eyeball & touch.

[Smokin Gator]

These days I pretty much go by eyeball & touch.

Yep... In my Vino that I smoke out of I pretty much just go by how they are smoking. I worry a little more about the one I use for aging, but luckily that one seems to stay much more stable.

Tomorrow that all changes, I hope, as I am supposed to be getting a HUGE cabinet humi with temp and humidity control.

[CigarNut]

Pulled out 6 digital hygrometers that had been sitting idle. Replaced the batteries & let them sit for 12 hours indoors on my desk. One thing I have to say for them is they were all within a degree or two on the temp's. The Rh readings were another thing:

1. 50%
2. 56%
3. 52%
4. 70%
5. 27%
6. 28%

Ok so now I'm going to test them but does anyone have a suggested model that gives you peace of mind?Do you have any idea of the actual RH (e.g., were any of the hygros close)?

Are these hygros that can be adjusted?

[MarkinAZ]

Ok so now I'm going to test them but does anyone have a suggested model that gives you peace of mind?

Not really PJ. Just the regular digital models going for about $20 each. Other than replacing the batteries, it will be interesting to see what your salt test bring forth...

[G G]

I try not to pay a whole lot of attention to mine anymore. Have 1.5 pounds of Shilala beads in my vino and as long as it's fairly the same I don't fool with it.:tu

[bazookajoe]

John, I think your eyeball and touch method is probably best, but to answer your question I've had the best luck with Western Caliber III hygros. I had several at one time that all read within 1% of each other.

Don't your Aristocrats have built in hygros?

[bobarian]

These days I pretty much go by eyeball & touch.

I barely even look at mine anymore. Trust the beads and how the sticks are smoking, seems to be much more accurate than hygro readings. :banger

[Bartolomeo]

I went through about 15+ hygrometers first starting out back in August, I decided the Boveda bag test is 100% easier than the salt test, then mark the hygros once you figure out how far they are off and your done

Bart

[JE3146]

Went through this myself just recently.

Bought 2 Xikars and a boveeda calibration pack. One is dead on, the other is about 1/2% RH off.

Working fine now :) .. I could never get an accurate salt test. The boveeda packs are the way to go.

The new Xikars beat the pants off of what I had before.

[Uflbassin]

I just use Shilala's beads and keep an eye on the sticks, seems to be working out just fine.:2

[Goldie]

I have 2 Xikars that give me good readings. 1 is spot on, the other is 1% off. I use to have the cheapo Wal-Mart specials and the one was 11% off, the other was 9% off.

[CigarNut]

I like the HygroSet II's as you can calibrate them and they are not too expensive. I use the Boveda 65% packs to calibrate mine. So far so good.

The other thing you need to remember to do is replace the batteries periodically. Don't wait for the battery to die -- and potentially corrode -- just replace them once a year.

[bilkay]

I could never get an accurate salt test. The boveeda packs are the way to go.

I just tried the salt test for the first time, having previously used Boveda packs. Prior to the salt test, my hygros were reading around 65% (the normal RH for the beads I use). After the salt calibration, my 3 hygros all read 71%-72% in my cooler. I think it's the salt calibration, not higher relative humidity. And I was hoping I had found an almost free way to calibrate.

[gnukfu]

John, I think your eyeball and touch method is probably best, but to answer your question I've had the best luck with Western Caliber III hygros. I had several at one time that all read within 1% of each other.

Don't your Aristocrats have built in hygros?

I use these - change the batteries every 6 months - look at em every 3 months hehe - once you get things stabilized/balanced in your cooler, cabinet, Vino it pretty much maintains itself..at least that has been my experience.

[CigarNut]

I just tried the salt test for the first time, having previously used Boveda packs. Prior to the salt test, my hygros were reading around 65% (the normal RH for the beads I use). After the salt calibration, my 3 hygros all read 71%-72% in my cooler. I think it's the salt calibration, not higher relative humidity. And I was hoping I had found an almost free way to calibrate.The thing with the salt test is that you need to use a specific amount of salt with a smaller (specific) amount of distilled water. If you have too much or too little water, or impurities in the water (tap water) then the RH will be off a little.

Boveda packs are easier...

[JE3146]

The thing with the salt test is that you need to use a specific amount of salt with a smaller (specific) amount of distilled water. If you have too much or too little water, or impurities in the water (tap water) then the RH will be off a little.

Boveda packs are easier...

Easier.. and that I was sure it was accurate. There was no worry.

[Jason]

The only one I've owned that doesn't seem to have any episodes is an Oregon Scientific. It's older and I got it Radio Shack. The closest current product I could find like it is here (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/cat-Weather-sub-Classic-Weather-Stations-prod-Wireless-Temperature-and-Humidity-Sensor-with-Display.html) or here (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/cat-Weather-sub-Classic-Weather-Stations-prod-Silver-Temperature-and-Humidity-Station-with-Atomic-Time---Weather-300.html). It's not real clear from the web site whether these now require remote sensors but the first link looks almost exactly like the one I have (the logo is more current) and it has a built in sensor

[CigarNut]

The only one I've owned that doesn't seem to have any episodes is an Oregon Scientific. It's older and I got it Radio Shack. The closest current product I could find like it is here (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/cat-Weather-sub-Classic-Weather-Stations-prod-Wireless-Temperature-and-Humidity-Sensor-with-Display.html) or here (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/cat-Weather-sub-Classic-Weather-Stations-prod-Silver-Temperature-and-Humidity-Station-with-Atomic-Time---Weather-300.html). It's not real clear from the web site whether these now require remote sensors but the first link looks almost exactly like the one I have (the logo is more current) and it has a built in sensorI have two Oregon Scientific units myself and I love them. The also transmit to my base station so I can monitor them any time. They are great except for the cost...

[BORIStheBLADE]

The thing with the salt test is that you need to use a specific amount of salt with a smaller (specific) amount of distilled water. If you have too much or too little water, or impurities in the water (tap water) then the RH will be off a little.

Boveda packs are easier...

I agree, its more accurate to just use a boveda calibration pack.


The only hydrometer I check once a week is the one in my desktop that has 60% beads. My vino I spray the inside of the glass every once in a while. It holds RH so well I dont need to worry about it.

[okieRob]

change the batteries every 6 months

I learned this the hard way myself recently - I'm on a regular battery replacement plan now.