RH problems?
 

So I've had my humi for about 2 weeks now. I kept two bowls of distilled water in there. Siliconed the **** outta the glass..................

Seems the best I can achieve is %70 RH (if my digi hyg is correct)

does this sound right?

It just seems like its still leaking somewhere to me.

I got it up to 65%, thought it was good, threw sticks in with 65% beads and my rh dropped to 60%.

My sticks dried out and got hard and crunchy.

I immediatle removed them and put them in a zip loc bag.


It's sitting at %70 after more silicone and sitting for two days with water.


Im on the verge of returning this humi.

Re: RH problems?
 

Sorry for your troubles Josh. I don't think your sticks would dry out that fast at anywhere from 60% to 70% humidity...maybe the sticks were too dry before you put them in, hopefully they weren't the ones i sent, they should have been right at 67% when they left.

Anyway, I have two pieces of advice...
1.) put the sticks in tupperware and really give the humi time to season...be patient, I know it is difficult, was for me too!
2.) if you really think it is the humi, send it back...take the money to wallyworld and get a cooler. I just reorganized (i.e. play cigar tetris) mine (a 48 qt, or maybe 46qt) yesterday and can barely fit anymore in (btw...i joined the asylum in October last year!!!) Those humi's will fill up fast bro :tu

Maybe someone else will have a better idea for you, but you if you are truly tired of the hassle you have my advice :D

Re: RH problems?
 

Cole is right -- your sticks won't dry out that fast. Also, as he said you need to be patient.

Even in a well-sealed humidor it is not uncommon for the RH to change after adding or removing sticks.

Two question: how fast does the RH in your empty humidor drop after you take the water dish out? Where does it bottom out say after 24 hours empty?

Re: RH problems?
 

Patience is key.
It is normal for RH to drop when cgars are added. The cigars will absorb moisture.
Also, 60% RH would not make the cigars dry. Many here PREFER their RH to be in the 62-65% range.
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Re: RH problems?
 

Your sticks and more that were at 65-70% were put in there.
Don't worry, they wernt in there long, I've been monitering it everyday. I took them out asap and put them in a baggie, they are doing good now. :tu


As far as the humi, It's been seasoning for over two weeks.............

Re: RH problems?
 

Do yourself a favor and buy a hygrometer calibration kit so you can be certain about your RH readings. They are relatively inexpensive and well worth the peace of mind.

Re: RH problems?
 

dunno, that would be a big step back in my current seasoning process would it not?

Re: RH problems?
 

I did, it should be here soon.

Re: RH problems?
 

Not necessarily. In fact, it might help you determine if there is even a problem...

Re: RH problems?
 

2 weeks is too short of a time to make sticks 'crunchy' in a ziploc bag, let alone an 'underhumidified' humidor.

If you get it to 70%, how much higher do you want it to get?

60% is not too low. Many will have humidors that hover in the 60-65% range and prefer it as such.

You admit that your hygrometer may not even be properly calibrated, so until you know how far off it is, you really can't get a whole lot of help.

Just relax, cigars are relatively forgiving with humidity swings. :tu

Re: RH problems?
 

Sending it back. Got a bigger and nicer one with no glass.
http://www.thompsoncigar.com/product...OUNT/81374.uts

Re: RH problems?
 

One hour from asking for help and ideas to returning it? :confused:

No miracle cure so let's start over. :)

Re: RH problems?
 

Couple issues:

You asked for some advice on how to fix your 'problem', didn't heed much of it, and decided it was time to start over.
You are sending back a humidor you modified.
You don't even know if your hygrometer is properly calibrated.
Your humidor, in theory, held humidity at 70% and dropped to only 60% when you added the cigars.
You ordered a humidor from one of the less liked vendors, Thompsons. Good luck getting off that mailing/phone/email list.
The humidor you order may not be nicer than the one you had given that I have never seen or heard of anyone with a similar humidor.

I think you are being a bit overly ambitious. :2

Re: RH problems?
 

It is clear that he is trying to rush through a process that cannot be rushed...

Re: RH problems?
 

I concur. A new humi with none of the other issues resolved will very likely net similar results.

Re: RH problems?
 

I'd spend an extra few bucks on a savoy or craftsmans bench, personally.

I would think that 2 weeks would be enough time to season it.

Re: RH problems?
 

I agree

Re: RH problems?
 

Having a bad day?

Your being an ass.

Wasnt asking how to fix it, was wondering if it was normal for the RH to drop that much. I was just giving some background info in what I have done. Go troll someone elses thread.

Re: RH problems?
 

I see it as him pointing out the issue may not be the humidor. Everyone has been very helpful with their advice, and not much of it was taken seriously. That could be taken as insulting by some people if they are putting forth time and effort to help you out with your problem.

Re: RH problems?
 

Most have been very helpful. Most of what he said was not helpful.
Telling me I shouldn't have bought it there and this and that..........

Wasnt even related to my question at hand.:2

Re: RH problems?
 

I guess I just dont think a seasoned humidor should drop 5-10% after I take the bowls of water out unless it leaks. Thats what I was asking here.

Is it normal to drop that much.

I guess if two weeks isnt long enough, someone should change the sticky on seasoning humis.

Re: RH problems?
 

Might want to lighten up a bit smitty. You might not always like answers to the questions you ask. I do see a lack of patience too.

Re: RH problems?
 

Yes it can be normal. You are taking out the moisture source which is saturating the air.

The RH will drop. The thing to measure is how far it drops and for how long. If it drops 5-10% and holds steady after that then things are pretty good. If it continues to drop then you probably have a leak.

Re: RH problems?
 

You need to be real careful here.

You asked questions, ignored the answers and then you call someone an ass when they simply point out the obvious? Geez...

Re: RH problems?
 

:confused:

Sage advice.
I would also suggest refraing from the insults.
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Re: RH problems?
 

I did not ignore the answers. I read every one of them.

Re: RH problems?
 

Chippewastud wasn't the least bit disrespectful. On the other hand, you clearly were. Everything he said was pertinent, you'd know that if you had nearly the experience he or the others have.
Everyone tried to point out that patience is required. You didn't exercise patience in your procedure, nor with your brother here.
It's achingly clear where the problem lies, Josh.

Re: RH problems?
 

I tried to edit it but it wouldnt let me.

I apoligize to everyone especially the one I insulted, I'm having a bad day.

I know its a poor excuse. ;s

Re: RH problems?
 

well, I apoligize.

I just read the sticky and it said 14 days to properly season a humi. Its been longer than that so I assumed I had a problem.

Re: RH problems?
 

Much better, brother. :tu
I hope you get things ironed out, but moreso, I hope your day turns around. :tu

Re: RH problems?
 

I put in beads after I take the water out and it just dries the beads up within 2 days.

It seems like its not seasoned but It's been 14 days and It just seems like It hasn't made any progress.:confused:

Re: RH problems?
 

You have a new humi coming, so it's beside the point now, but in the two weeks you added cigars, or at least that's the way it reads.
Sometimes it takes longer, especially in winter.
The best way to attack this when the new humi comes is to ask the guys and try to have lots of patience. It takes a long time to get a humi seasoned and the cigars all equalized with the humidor. Not weeks, months.
It takes a lot of time and patience, so prepare for that.
Good luck!!! :tu

Re: RH problems?
 

I think I'm gonna put the sticks in a bag with beads and let the humidor season without the sticks in it.

Thanks

Re: RH problems?
 

For what it's worth, I've noticed that with the extremely dry winter we're having this year I've had to double the bead capacity and rehydrate them much more often than usual.

Re: RH problems?
 

I will keep that in mind, thank you sir.

Re: RH problems?
 

Josh I hope your day gets better and you get your humi issues resolved.
http://www.flixya.com/files-photo/a/...ith1991821.jpg

Re: RH problems?
 

thanks brother.

Re: RH problems?
 

You mentioned you like (prefer) 70%. If you have not had a stable 70% from which to smoke on a regular basis, how do you know you prefer 70 over 65 or 60?
I suggest getting a stable RH anywhere in the 60-70% range. Then you can make an informed decision on your preference.
Unfortunately, by ordering a new humidor you are back to square one.
Good luck.
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Re: RH problems?
 

I'm new to having sticks at home but I have had them from different places at different RH levels.

I had some at the mentioned 70% about a week ago and I really enjoyed them a lot.

Re: RH problems?
 

Too friggin' cute!

Re: RH problems?
 

Calibrate your hygro and then put it in with your cigars and beads in the bag/tupper to see where they are at while your new humi gets seasoned. If your cigars are at 70% and your beads are at 70% then when the humi is stable at 70% you should be good to go unless there is a leak. If you put cigars into the 70% seasoned humi and they are anything less than 70% they will begin to suck the RH in and lower your humi RH. Take your time, it will be ready before you know it. I remember when I went through the same issues, it seems like a year but once it is done it is worth it to have a proper funtioning humi.
I hope this is making sense, the coffee sometimes takes over and makes me ramble type.

Re: RH problems?
 

That's exactly what you want to do.
I think you'll have a lot more luck with this next humidor, too. I had one that was all glass in the front and the lid and it was nearly impossible to keep the RH up even with a hydra and tons of beads. There was no fixing that one, either.
If you want, and it really helps, you can add a couple little sponges when you season next time. Wet them with distilled water and sit them on a plate or dish. It increases the surface area dramatically and will deliver a ton more moisture to the air than bowls with water do.
Try not to open the humi at all during seasoning, or maybe just very briefly every couple days to check your dishes and/or sponges. If they need attention, make sure you close the humidor immediately. That'll help keep you moving ahead instead of backwards.

Once you put your sticks and beads in, you're committed. Same thing, try not to open the humi. If you need to check, do it quickly and no more than maybe every couple days.

Something else...
The humidor will stabilize and recover RH a lot better once it nearly full of sticks. It's a lot tougher to maintain any kind of RH in any empty humi. The cigars will act as a water-sink and help to control the humidity with the beads.
If your new big humidor is going to be mostly empty, it's going to be tough to control your RH. That's good reason to fill it up. :D
3/4's full is probably the best situation you can get, that way it allows for a little order here and there, and leaves some air space for circulation.

Re: RH problems?
 

I was smoking La Aroma de Cuba Robustos at 70% for a while. Things (tastes, preferences) change with experience. Lots of experience. ;)

Re: RH problems?
 

Thanks for the great information.

Again, I apolagize to everyone that has read this and has been insulted by my attitude.

You all have been helpful. I am the one with a poor attitude. ;s

Re: RH problems?
 

I use to try to keep everything at 70% and I found I had many burn issues. I have found my sticks tend to burn better at 65%.

No worries about the "attitude" brother, just let it go and move on.

So you are confident/sure the RH from which you smoked is accurate?

To your second point, "some last week" tells me yo are basing your decision on a very small sample. I would guess your enjoyment was due more to the stick itself than the RH.

Your best bet is to get the humidor stable at any RH first. Then worry about adjusting to a particular number.
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Re: RH problems?
 

you didn't like 70%?

Re: RH problems?
 

Yes, It was from that java I had. I like them more moist and chewy. It seemd to smoke fine.

I will play with the rh like you say after the humidor is seasoned.

Thanks pnoon.

Re: RH problems?
 

I did.

Then I went 65% and liked it even better.

Now I store at 61-62% and my cigars smoke wonderfully. And age wonderfully as well. :)