Humidor humidity level.
 

How long on average does it take the humidor to get to the proper humidity level?

I recently expanded, and don't recall how long it takes to even out to proper humidity inside a new humidor, with new mail order cigars.

This is my every day smokes humidor so it has some smaller cigars in bundles, thus I have more than the size of the box states (175-200), max 100-150 it said as far as capacity.

I seasoned it with distilled water in 2 shot glasses for numerous days inside my home kept at 65-75 degrees.

I then placed the cigars, and 4oz gel humidification container in there. After 1 day humidity inside was 48% and the gel was still fluffy, after 2 days I was pushing 50%, and here with re-arranging I added a couple 2oz containers. The next day I was at 51%, and I added another 2oz. Humidity today is at 52%.

Any ideas ?

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

You might need to wipe down the interior with a damp paper towel and distilled water.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

It took about a week and around 6 gallons of water to start. Then I transferred my cigar and took another 3 weeks and a few more refill of humidifier of water to finally stabilized my humidor.

Humidity used to drop significantly each time I open my humidor. I don't get that much fluctuation after humidor and the boxes were properly seasoned.

I've seen people boil some water and immediately put the water inside a humidor. It seems to work for quickly seasoning a new humidor.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Time to start over.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=620
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=619

Take out your smokes and store them temporarily in ziplock bags or tupperware.

When your humidor reaches 65-70% take out the water and let it sit for 24hours. If it stays stable at 65-70% you are good to go. If it drops down to 50% you need to check for leaks. Open the humidor a few inches and drop the lid, you should hear a whooshing sound as it closes. If it slams down, you have a leak.
Place a flashlight inside and look around the edges for light escaping. Add some painters masking tape in small strips where you see light. If you have a glass top you can close a dollar bill around the edges, if there is a spot where it slips out easily tape as needed.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I have never tried wiping down a humidor but have seen a good amount of information against it due to damaging the wood. You should check your seal by putting a flashlight in it and closing the lid checking for light to escape.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I didn't have much luck with that gel humidification, I would get rid of it and go with some beads. That or maybe your humidor leaks like a sieve. Are you using a analog or digital hygrometer.

If I leave my coolidor open for 10-15 minutes it drops to 50 RH, about maybe 2 hours later it's back up right where I want it at 62-64 RH. Definitely shouldn't take days to bring up the humidity

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Bob is wise.


Jake is wise too.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Looks like it's a digital problem ;)

Currently it's showing 62% on one digi hygrometer 63% on my calibrated digi hygrometer, and 51% on my desktop (small) house temp/hygro.

It's apparent now that the house hygrometer is off!
This explains why I never think it's dry in the house but this thing keeps telling me it is.. :r

All is good :noon

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

:tpd:

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I tried the HCM beads...4 oz for a 150 count humidor. The humidity had dropped because I hadn't paid attention to the hygrometer for a week. My Boveda packets were hard as rocks.
Within a few hours, the beads got it up to 65% and it's stayed there ever since. And remember, the beads require no water and no other humidification was needed. A bloody miracle!

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I May have the Same Issue. My main Humidor has a Glass Top. And an Analog Hygrometer built into the front of it. Worked well for about a year. But not keeps telling me after about 3 days that the RH is 40 - 50% I cant find any leaks, and Ive started over with it a couple of times. I get a Swoosh from the lid when I close it.

I Dont understand the Dollar Bill Trick for the Glass Top maybe someone can explain it more?

But I think Maybe my main problem is my Analog Hygrometer. I bet I should go get a Digital and check it out.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Buddy. Don't do that. It might warp the wood. Just throw in a bowl of water for several days.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

:tpd:

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

The only thing I might add is if you want to speed up the seasoning process a little place a new, clean sponge (one that is wrung out with distilled water and place it on a saucer in the humi. This will give you more surface area for the water to evaporate. The sponge should be fully saturated. This will speed up the process by a couple of days! :tu

Good luck Bro!

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Where can one purchase HCM beads ?
And is there better/worse beads?

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

You can purchase HCM beads (from me) at www.hcmcigarbeads.com. Better or worse is hard to define. I think HCM beads are the best, but there are many people who like Heartfelt (www.heartfeltindustries.com), which is also a good product.

Check out the websites, check out the various threads here to get more information and then order your HCM beads :)

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Do you sell by the pound?

I have a fridge I`m turning into a big humi, and a handful of smaller ones I want to use this stuff in if it's "so great".

I'd want to try out with 1 or 2 pounds to start to spread among my smaller humis and then go big if it works as described :noon

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

At this time the largest size is 1/2 pound. The whole thing with these beads is exposed surface area, so the 1/2 pound bag seems to be an optimal size for the larger humidors.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Based on your website I would need 400 bucks worth of beads for my fridge :confused:

I don't mind the amount (8 pounds), and have the perfect spot at the bottom to lay them out with huge surface area, but 400 bucks and buying only by the 1/2 pound :(

Maybe I should stick with the electric method :confused:

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I have Heartfelt but I know a lot of brothers on here use Michael's/ Shailala beads. You have to look at it this way, it's a one time expense, there stable and no mold. You could spend 90-150 dollars for an oasis or similar device and it quit in a year or so and have to start all over again. Also if you search the threads about cooler/ vino s I think you might be able to get by with fewer beads than you think, but you can never have to many.

Just my:2

PS. before you ask or someone else suggests it, stay away from kitty litter.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I got a great present from a fellow member. I love my HCM beads but I can't afford anymore at this time.
So Andy explained that he buys the silica gel crystals, unscented, for cat litter. He buys these little porous bags with a tie off at the top.
He lays out the crystals on a flat surface and spritzes them with distilled water. He shoves them tight into the 6" pouch, and throws it into the humidor.
Every time the humidity begins to sag, you repeat the process.
The humidity was low on my humidor and within a couple hours it was up to 67%. And it's stayed there for a week so far.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Kitty litter is not the same as Heartfelt or HCM beads. They do not regulate Rh to a specific percentage. They may act similarly under certain circumstances but KL is not something most of us trust to protect our valued collections. :2

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

:tpd: Bob is wise.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Adam,

I agree with you completely. But I have 3 humidors. Not many cigars in each but I have a system about quality.
The kitty litter is a poor man's method. And I'm a poor man.
I couldn't afford $60 for three bags of HCM beads.
I'm getting $76 per month in food stamps. So spending $20 was a huge deal and required a conference with my wife.
So don't take it wrong and think I'm belittling the product. I'd much rather have HCM beads than kitty litter. But this is an acceptable substitute until I have more money, that's all.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I'm not sure how you could think anyone would take your prior statements as belittling the HCM product and I certainly didn't. If they work for you, great, the point Bob and I are stressing is that while KL might work to some extent under certain conditions, it's not the same as HCM or Heartfelt beads. In fact, it's about as close to HCM or Heartfelt as a saltine cracker dipped in ketchup is to a hand-tossed pizza.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

this is very helpful information - but are there other ways of doing this without distilled, or boiled water? i ask because i've mail ordered a new travidor and live on a ship as i've said before, so i cant obtain boiled nor distilled water.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

The main reason for using distilled water is there is less chance of contamination and mold growth. Bottled drinking water may be an alternative. If there is a laundry or medical office(not sure what kind of ship) you might check with them.

But if its a small traveldor you may not need to worry about seasoning it at all. A water pillow or Boveda pack will probably suit your purposes and these are available by mail order.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Bob knows things. :tu

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

awesome! i definately can get my hands on some bottled water if need be :). i have a small humidifier that i salvaged from one of my co-workers cigar samplers he recieved from the parent of a child whom he donated bone marrow to. but supposably this little packet is supposed to have about 75% RH or so, its only about 2" by 2" no wider than a few playing cards so im not sure how much it'd actually help so i just stuffed it in a tin with some crappy cuesta reys. (dont ask, got them from the ship store!) although.. the store DID have a few boxes of AF curly head deluxe!

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

The little packet sounds like a water pillow. Those are perfect for your small traveldor. It should last at least a month, maybe two before you need to recharge it. :tu

PM me your address and I will send out another water pillow and a few smokes for you.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

and i'm guessing the water pillows are recharged by the water in cup / sponge method? :)

that was unexpected! but this is why i like forums, they often hardbor the most kind and helpful people, pm incoming!

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Good Job, Bob!:):tu

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Nice move Bob. :tu

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

My traveler is inalready! But unfortunately the foam that is supposed to stick the sponge (like thing) messed up so I figured I'd just let it rest on the bottom. I've checked it for a leak with the dropping the lid method and got good results, I was wondering if our shipboard water would be acceptable as well as bottled water since out water is drawn infromthe ocean and purified on the ship, without flouride. Also I don't have a gage for the humidity, are there any tricks to knowing if the humidifier is about right without a Gage?

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

"Feel" Your Cigars. They Shouldn't Feel Dried Out Or Too "Spongy".:tu

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Bottled water that doesn't read "Minerals added for taste" or "Natural spring water" (ie: Evian, etc) would be the best bet, or hit up one of the medics for a bottle of "sterile water". You don't need much, I keep a 500ct cabinet humidor, plus a couple of coolers and a few small desktops and I don't think that I even use a gallon of water per year. Just get one bottle and only use it for the humidor, it should last awhile.

In a pinch, generally speaking because I'm not familiar with the specific engineering plant on your ship... assuming no contamination from the potable storage tanks or piping, the evap and/or RO water that you make aboard the ship should be ok, so long as they haven't taken on shore water recently.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

okay! i'll definately hit up one of the corpsman for a bottle, luckily i've befriended one! which im guessing that i should just saturate the humidifier it came with and let it sit in the box for a couple of days before taking my cigars out of the ziplock and cellaphane?

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

I'm assuming this is a wooden box Traveldor? If so you'll have to season it like you would any wooden humidor, just not as long but I went as long with my old one before moving on to my herf-a-dor traveldor that needed no preprep but i did anyway to bring up rh

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Here is a sticky on seasoning a humidor. http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=620

You'll find a wealth of information in the sticky's at the top of each forum.
No need to take the cigars out their individual cellophane but you can if you want. There is no advantage or disadvantage to keeping them in their cello.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

Does the humidifier look like a plastic puck or stick with some sort of foam (often green, sometimes white) inside? Something like this:
http://img.cigarsinternational.com/p/200/m/h/m-hum6.jpg

If so, yes, put some water in it, be advised that it doesn't hold much.

If the humidor is wood, then yes, sure a few days with the humidifier in there alone won't hurt. If it's a plastic traveldor, then no need to wait, just stick everything in, but go easy on the humidification, plastic traveldors often seal well enough that a humidifier is more like an invitation to mold.

As for the cellophane on the cigars, I'd leave it on. It's porous, so it breathes, while still affording protection to your cigars from damage due to moving around and such.

The other humidifier pouch that you were describing to Bob - something like this?
http://img.cigarsinternational.com/p...m-hmc07-10.jpg
http://www.2guyssmokeshop.com/images...aterpillow.jpg

or is it something more like this?
http://img.youtube.com/vi/ln-5KTuJnMs/0.jpg

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

the little pack i have looks more like a wetnap, reads that its one of the few two way humidifiers / dehumidifier at around 75% rh. although i may not risk sticking it in my travidor because it looks like it might be some sort of a chemical humidifier.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

That sounds like it might be a small version of the Boveda one at the bottom of my previous post. If so, it's a two-way membrane and it's filled with a non-toxic salt based solution. As the moisture is released, it will become thinner and less flexible, eventually becoming hard or feel "crunchy", you can re-charge it by placing it in a small tupperware container with a moistened towel for a few days and it will absorb the humidity from the air in the container and puff back up.

Re: Humidor humidity level.
 

hmmm, i'll definately have to try that out!! i appreciate all the help you guys have provided :D