Winter Humidor Humidity?

[Heliofire]

So as winter temps and humidity begin to set it now I am noticing that my heartfelt beads are in need of more water more often than I remember they needed last winter. We keep the house around 70 degrees but I have noticed that the room humidity is around 35% so I guess that might make the beads dry faster and keep them a couple points below where I am used to seeing the humidity in my cabinet. I just checked the accuracy of both hygrometers that I keep in there (which i do every six months) and they are both still spot on. So I am wondering how many other brothers out there have had to do more work on their humidity in the winter time. As far as I know the humidity beads don't go bad right? If they do how long do they usually last before they need to be replaced? Thanks for any help or stories you guys might have on battling the dry winter humidity.

[Bubba - NJ]

It's drier during winter around here so I add water more often .

[Heliofire]

It's drier during winter around here so I add water more often .

Are you using the humidity beads? and if so how long do you go before you need to re-wet them again?

[Drat]

I open my desktop way more often that I should be considering I'm not smoking as much because it's freaking cold outside. The result is that my beads have already needed additional water once and are starting to look a little dry again.

From what I've heard and ready, as long as you are using distilled water, your beads should last a few years.

[ucla695]

As long as you’re using distilled water, the beads should be fine. I also use Heartfelt beads in my humis and I definitely have to tend to them more during the winter. I really don’t open my humis that frequently and I charge the beads every four weeks or so during the winter. The drier air zaps them. I charge them less frequently during the spring and summer. So, no worries….what you’re experiencing is normal.

[Heliofire]

As long as you’re using distilled water, the beads should be fine. I also use Heartfelt beads in my humis and I definitely have to tend to them more during the winter. I really don’t open my humis that frequently and I charge the beads every four weeks or so during the winter. The drier air zaps them. I charge them less frequently during the spring and summer. So, no worries….what you’re experiencing is normal.

Thanks for the input, yeah I always use distilled water on the beads. What's funny and not a winter only related observation, is that I bought the 70% humidity beads but they have alway read around 68% and I know my hygrometers are correct. which is fine with me I would rather have the humidity around 68%. Anyone have that kind of experience with there beads?

[auburnfan1980]

all is lost, i'm afraid. you may have to disperse your stock among us so we can take care of it for you in the meantime...just my :2 :r

Jason

[zmancbr]

As long as you’re using distilled water, the beads should be fine. I also use Heartfelt beads in my humis and I definitely have to tend to them more during the winter. I really don’t open my humis that frequently and I charge the beads every four weeks or so during the winter. The drier air zaps them. I charge them less frequently during the spring and summer. So, no worries….what you’re experiencing is normal.

Yup definitely normal. I tend to keep my house a bit colder in the winter and just use blankets if we get cold so it is usually at 67 degrees or maybe 68. The thing I notice most about the winter is my Hygrometers tend to be more accurate which makes me happy! :ss

[Snake Hips]

Thanks for the input, yeah I always use distilled water on the beads. What's funny and not a winter only related observation, is that I bought the 70% humidity beads but they have alway read around 68% and I know my hygrometers are correct. which is fine with me I would rather have the humidity around 68%. Anyone have that kind of experience with there beads?
I have 65% beads but rarely see my humidor hit 65%. It hangs out around 62-64%, which is good for me.

[Heliofire]

Yup definitely normal. I tend to keep my house a bit colder in the winter and just use blankets if we get cold so it is usually at 67 degrees or maybe 68. The thing I notice most about the winter is my Hygrometers tend to be more accurate which makes me happy! :ss

What about your humidors do you cover them in blankets too just in case they get to cold.

LOL;)

[Heliofire]

I have 65% beads but rarely see my humidor hit 65%. It hangs out around 62-64%, which is good for me.

So I guess that is just how the works work then. Thanks for your input.

[Anthem]

I've switched over to beads (65%) and I find that I'm already having to recharge them more often. The RH is around 35% in the house as well.

[neoflex]

Like others said it's pretty normal. In my cabinet I needed to set the humidity set point on my Oasis to 70% to keep it between 66-70%. In the summer months I usually set it at 60% to keep the cabinet at 65%. I decided to bump the humidity up a bit more just in case she runs dry and I do not notice it for a couple days. Been so busy lately that before I decided to go this route I failed to check the humidity for two days and when I did check it she was down to 60% because I was otu of distilled water in my Oasis because it runs a lot more often lately. My humi with strictly beads seems to need to have the beads recharged every week and a half as opposed to once a month in the summer. Just a drier time of the year especially with central air.

[acruce]

What about your humidors do you cover them in blankets too just in case they get to cold.

LOL;)

I do.;)

[Heliofire]

What about your humidors do you cover them in blankets too just in case they get to cold.

LOL;)

I do.;)

I am sure your humidors love you for it. ;)

[ucla695]

Thanks for the input, yeah I always use distilled water on the beads. What's funny and not a winter only related observation, is that I bought the 70% humidity beads but they have alway read around 68% and I know my hygrometers are correct. which is fine with me I would rather have the humidity around 68%. Anyone have that kind of experience with there beads?

I have 65% beads but rarely see my humidor hit 65%. It hangs out around 62-64%, which is good for me.

Same with my 65% beads. Depending on the shelf, they're anywhere from 62-65%.

[racer3]

It's normal, I used to go crazy in the winter with my humi but it all works out. Just do what your doing and you will be fine.

[Cyanide]

I am pretty new to this too, but I suspected it was going to happen.

But around here, it went from autumn to winter in one day, yesterday. Until then I was still able to wear shorts out to the car (to go to the gym at 0530 am), and was still well above freezing. Yesterday it went straight to frigid cold, well below freezing.

In that single day, my humi's RH dropped close to 10%, 68-58%. I am currently using straight distilled water.

What you may want to do, is consider looking at the seals on your humi. My humi was hand-made by a dude in Cuba....so it may not seal as good as others. I ran a strip of electrical tape along the inside lip of the lid, and the RH started to climb. The downside of this is that now there will be less air circulation. I am pondering how that is going to affect my cigars in the next weeks to months....

Cheers

Cyanide

[WyoBob]

I imagine that genuine humidor's are more difficult to maintain than coolers. That's why I use coolers.

I use 1/2 lb. of 65% beads in each 120 quart cooler and set a small bowl of distilled water beside the beads. I no longer spray the beads. (I think they'll last longer, i.e. not crack, that way.) Our basement is 30% and I top off the water bowl every 1-2 weeks, depending on how often I'm in the coolers. Humidity holds at 65%.

WyoBob

[s15driftking]

Same with my 65% beads. Depending on the shelf, they're anywhere from 62-65%.

see, my beads are Heartfelt 65s and its reading 60-61... s


should i just wait till after winter? or change to 70s in hope that they hold 65???

[Good_Stogies_Mon]

Thanks for the input, yeah I always use distilled water on the beads. What's funny and not a winter only related observation, is that I bought the 70% humidity beads but they have alway read around 68% and I know my hygrometers are correct. which is fine with me I would rather have the humidity around 68%. Anyone have that kind of experience with there beads?

This is interesting, my 65% beads from hearthelt keep my vinotemp about 68% and I keep them pretty dry. I have always wondered if i actually got 70% beads by mistake?

[s15driftking]

This is interesting, my 65% beads from hearthelt keep my vinotemp about 68% and I keep them pretty dry. I have always wondered if i actually got 70% beads by mistake?

trade me for my 655!!!!!

[goalie204]

my beads are on the way in the mail, but my humi was 58-59 before i ordered them and was using 2 humidification devices. My ambient humidity of my condo is 20% :(

Currently i am re-seasoning my humidor because i dont think it got properly stabilized during initial seasoning because of cold/dry winter weather, and my sticks are in tupperware, hope when my puckifier comes it will save the day. Thanks to all who have helped me.

I'm considering puttin the humidor and the room humidifier in a closet in one of my non leaky rooms of my condo to try and help it out. Anyone tried this or have advice, please PM or reply, thanks

[Heliofire]

Another thing that is funny is seeing the change in humidity from the top of my cabinet to the bottom. I have a 6ft tall cabinet and the bottom right now is reading 71% and the top one is reading 65%. Both hygrometers were checked last week for accuracy and both are reading perfect. I have 1lb of beads at the top, 2lbs around the middle, and another 1.5lbs of beads at the bottom plus a cigar oasis XL plus. Here is a really crappy photo of my cabinet.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/3092993592_409163ec83.jpg

[tsolomon]

My cooler did drop a little, but with a pound of beads and additional water that was easliy corrected. My 3 humidors have all dropped from around 63-65% to just under 58-60% and I have been adding water almost everyday trying to get the RH back up. I moved the humidors from the basement to the bedroom where the RH is a little higher. I'm thinking of switching to 70% beads for the winter if I can't get them stabilized above 60%. :confused:

[s15driftking]

I'm thinking of switching to 70% beads for the winter if I can't get them stabilized above 60%. :confused:


my thoughts exactly

[awsmith4]

my thoughts exactly

If you can't get them stabilized it most likely has to do with the seal on the humi, or you open it too often. I live within 20 min of the OP and have no problems with the humis with Heartfelt of Shilala beads.

[goalie204]

if the ambient humidity of my condo is a shitty 20% ,and the RH in my
humidor was 55-58% how ...can my cigars possibly have gotten moist, i'm baffled

Re-seasoning it now for 14 days like i said, and wiating for 65% puck

[s15driftking]

If you can't get them stabilized it most likely has to do with the seal on the humi, .


idoubt it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/Pictures096-1.jpg


only did its normal one degree fluctuation over the period of 14-15 hours...

gotta be the winter weather!

that beyotch was sealed!

[tedrodgerscpa]

Another thing that is funny is seeing the change in humidity from the top of my cabinet to the bottom. I have a 6ft tall cabinet and the bottom right now is reading 71% and the top one is reading 65%. Both hygrometers were checked last week for accuracy and both are reading perfect. I have 1lb of beads at the top, 2lbs around the middle, and another 1.5lbs of beads at the bottom plus a cigar oasis XL plus. Here is a really crappy photo of my cabinet.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/3092993592_409163ec83.jpg


Just an observation, but you've got a lot of space in your humi as it's pictured above. It's much more difficult to regulate empty air.

Have you considered going down to your local B&M and picking up some empty boxes? Most B&Ms that I frequent will give away boxes to their regulars.

At any rate, having less space, especially during the low RH months, may help you out a bit. It wont' be as pretty as it was (or maybe it will, depending on your box selection.

Just a suggestion... do with it as you will.



P.S. Like many others who have posted in the thread, I do have to water with greater regularity in the winter time, too... for the summer months, I don't recharge at all. Ever... During the winter, it's once or twice a week, depending on how often I go into my humi.

[tsolomon]

If you can't get them stabilized it most likely has to do with the seal on the humi, or you open it too often. I live within 20 min of the OP and have no problems with the humis with Heartfelt of Shilala beads.I'm going with option #2, you open it too often. :D

[s15driftking]

I'm going with option #2, you open it too often. :D

yes, i'll jsut have to be more finnicky with it this time of year!!

[Whee]

Definitley drier here in northern illinois this time of year. My desktops, tend to trend lower because i do like to look. My coolers stay pretty consistent, mid 60s with my heartfelt 65%'s. I don;t open the coolers much.

In the summer, I don't charge the beads much at all. The air definitely sucks the water out of everything.

[tenbaseg]

idoubt it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/Pictures096-1.jpg


only did its normal one degree fluctuation over the period of 14-15 hours...

gotta be the winter weather!

that beyotch was sealed!

LOL!

I have the same humi with a little over 1lb of 65% heartfelt beads. I haven't charged the beads in mine for over 8 weeks. I have two hygro's and the RH hovers around 66% all the time. The top shelf is about 1-2* higher.

I have my in the bottom of a closet to prevent the temp from rising with the heat on in the winter. It stays about 60* in there.

The only other thing I've done is to seal the area around the analog hygro to prevent leaks.

[s15driftking]

yeah, i did that too, i used silicone!

[gettysburgfreak]

Ive got a vino with 65% beads from heartfelt that I keep in my basement and it stays at 69%, go figure. When I used my desktop I had to refill the beads once every week when I lived in a dorm room.

[Heliofire]

Just an observation, but you've got a lot of space in your humi as it's pictured above. It's much more difficult to regulate empty air.

Have you considered going down to your local B&M and picking up some empty boxes? Most B&Ms that I frequent will give away boxes to their regulars.

At any rate, having less space, especially during the low RH months, may help you out a bit. It wont' be as pretty as it was (or maybe it will, depending on your box selection.

Just a suggestion... do with it as you will.



P.S. Like many others who have posted in the thread, I do have to water with greater regularity in the winter time, too... for the summer months, I don't recharge at all. Ever... During the winter, it's once or twice a week, depending on how often I go into my humi.

I have tried to convince my wife that I need more cigars to help regulate the humidity before but maybe now your post will lend some more weight to my argument.:ss:D