Calibration of hygrometer

[MagicDrop]

I did a salt test on my hygrometer and found I was getting a low reading. When completed it read 68% so I used a small screw driver and set it to 75% like the instructions told me to.
I have put the hygrometer back in my humidor and it hasn't lowered at all.
The hygrometer is analog, I am using the liquid beads to humidify my small 40 stick humidor and I have about 35 sticks in it right now.
How long does it take for the hygrometer to get the correct reading inside the humidor?

[markem]

Good morning! Did you read the sticky about calibrating a hygrometer in the forum in which you posted? It is easy to miss these things. Here is a link:

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=619

[MagicDrop]

I did but what my real question is, is how long does it take once put back in humidor before it gives a true reading of the inside of the humidor?
I didn't notice it mentioning that.

[markem]

Ah, should be a short time, perhaps an hour or less. If it seems high, wait a long while. I typically don't believe mine until 24 hours, just to be safe.

Sorry about my reading comprehension problem.

[MagicDrop]

Lol it's ok my original post was all over the place. I've had it back in the humidor for about 2-3 hours now and it's pinned at 75% which I doubt is true but we shall see.

[CigarNut]

Analog hygrometers are notoriously unreliable -- they are decorative more than anything else. Just my :2

[MagicDrop]

Yeah I have to save up for a digital but I had to pick cigars or hygrometer I picked cigars lol.
I pulled it out to see if it changes outside the box. I guess it's 75% inside right now because it went down immediately!

[Chainsaw13]

How are your cigars smoking? Are they tight to draw? Do they require constant relights? If so, then they may be slightly over humidified, which would indicate your hygrometer is reading right. If they're smoking fine, then I wouldn't worry about it until you get the new hygrometer.

[MagicDrop]

They are a bit tight. I left the humidor open for about an hour and have since closed it up when open it dropped to 65ish and is now back around 70 I'm hoping it doesn't keep going up. If it does what's the best way to lower it?

[dijit]

Analog hygrometers are notoriously unreliable -- they are decorative more than anything else. Just my :2

My humidor has 3 hygrometers one analog and 2 digital. I have salt tested all three and they read 75% but my analog inside my humidor fluctuates from 63 to 68 the digitals read 66 and 65 almost constantly and I humidify with beads and use a small fan to circulate the air. Unless you are really set on 70% I would suggest lowering your RH to 65 to 67 and getting a digital hygrometer.

[dijit]

depending on your beads you can place them in the fridge for a short time to lower the RH but make sure to read the directions on them first to ensure you wont damage them by doing this.

[Chainsaw13]

They are a bit tight. I left the humidor open for about an hour and have since closed it up when open it dropped to 65ish and is now back around 70 I'm hoping it doesn't keep going up. If it does what's the best way to lower it?

My guess is it went back up. Leaving the lid open for that short of time wouldn't affect the moisture content that much of the cigars and humidor. Initially you'll see the drop, but it'll go back up once you close the lid.

The water beads you have, are they the gel like beads that absorb water and swell up, and bought in a craft store? If so, try using less of them in your humidor.

[shilala]

There's a really good article on salt testing in last month's newsletter.
If you haven't signed up for it yet, just pm me your address and I'll get it out to ya asap.

[longknocker]

There's a really good article on salt testing in last month's newsletter.
If you haven't signed up for it yet, just pm me your address and I'll get it out to ya asap.

Yeah, Scott, The Newsletter Would Be A Big Help To Him!:tu

[MagicDrop]

The beads I have a Brigham crystal jar I got from a cigar lounge by me. They claim to release mousture when it is below 70% and absorb when it's above.

Yeah sorry guys I have only been smoking Cigars since April and didn't buy more then what I was going to smoke in the next few hours till October so I'm still really new at this.

[Chainsaw13]

No worries. I'm not familiar with those beads. I would spend the money, round $20, and get a digital hygrometer. Then you'll have a better idea what your humidor is doing.

[MagicDrop]

My friends father who owns the lounge said they were good beads. I was getting a bad reading for a while saying 63/64 so I put one of those cheap foam ones in as well and I think that's what caused it to shoot way up. Now that I tested it and reset it I think it will be a while before I get it to drop.

[pnoon]

I think your friends father is full of baloney.
Toss those and get yourself some beads designed to regulate humidity.
http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/ or http://www.cigarbeads.com

:2

[MagicDrop]

That's what that jar is for. https://smokingpipes.com/accessories/humidifiers/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=83162 just a different manufacturer.

[pnoon]

That's what that jar is for. https://smokingpipes.com/accessories/humidifiers/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=83162 just a different manufacturer.

That's a totally different product.

[Sweet_Leaf_PDX]

That's what that jar is for. https://smokingpipes.com/accessories/humidifiers/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=83162 just a different manufacturer.

B&M's love these kinds of beads for some reason. In my experience they do not work well. I have found that these always over-humidify. I ditched these and got the HCM beads and have had zero humidor issues since.

For a humidor that size you could also drop a couple boveda packs in there and I think that would be a better option than those beads.

[sweater914]

MagicDrop,

Lots of useful information on this site, read through the stickies. I built my coolidor using the info on this site and was generously rewarded. I bought HCM beads with hygrometer while on sale and built my first coolidor for about $150, money well spent. I don't know what your budget might be, but if you save a little, become informed you can have a reasonable humidor with solid humidity control to enjoy your new hobby.

[Porch Dweller]

B&M's love these kinds of beads for some reason. In my experience they do not work well. I have found that these always over-humidify. I ditched these and got the HCM beads and have had zero humidor issues since.
:tpd:
That was my experience also except I went with Heartfelt beads.

For a humidor that size you could also drop a couple boveda packs in there and I think that would be a better option than those beads.

Also good advice. If you go this route, get extra Boveda packs and just rotate them out, re-charging the used ones with distilled water.

[MagicDrop]

Thank you all.

[MagicDrop]

I have a small humidor and small budget to match it lol. But I think I can get the 2oz HMC beads and that would work for me. I did notice it says it's preset at 65% but I think I would want to raise it to 70%.

[Steve]

There's a really good article on salt testing in last month's newsletter.
If you haven't signed up for it yet, just pm me your address and I'll get it out to ya asap.

THIS! :banger

[pnoon]

I have a small humidor and small budget to match it lol. But I think I can get the 2oz HMC beads and that would work for me. I did notice it says it's preset at 65% but I think I would want to raise it to 70%.

And why would that be? I've heard some say 70 degrees/70 %RH is ideal. I think that's hokum. :2

I suggest using them at the pre-set 65% RH and see how your cigars smoke. If you then find you prefer them at a higher RH, you can adjust them then.

[Sadden]

Yep. HCM beads. Also be sure to check your humidor for leaks. Out of curiosity whats your ambient RH? If its high it can raise the RH of a leaky humidor well past what the gel would do on its own. Its something you will want to sort out before you good beads get there.

I live in a very dry climate. I tried 65 and found it too dry. 68 is just right for me. 70 makes too many issues..

[ApexAZ]

I started using heartfelt beads a few years back and never looked back. They work great.