Need some advice
 

Ok, turns out both of my digital hydrometers are all over the place now. I put the most accurate one in with salt it reads 70%, okay....I then used a water pillow that is 67% and it reads 71%. I do not understand how it can be over AND under, guess it is just busted, you get what you pay for. Anyways, I know there is several places to get re-adjustable hydrometers online. My question to you is who do you think has the best out there. Thanks a lot, I appreciate your answers.
Tommy

Re: Need some advice
 

Change the battery :2

Re: Need some advice
 

Who's to say that the water pillow is dead on at 67%? Your hydrometer might be correct.

Re: Need some advice
 

it says on the back of the pillow it is made for 67%....

Re: Need some advice
 

and I am not comfortable with something that MAY be correct...

Re: Need some advice
 

get the beads they seem to be more accurate

Re: Need some advice
 

Don't stress over the numbers.

Only one question matters - How are your cigars smoking? If you say fine, end-of-story.

Edit: If you are determined to resolve the "numbers", I would trust the hygrometer much more than a water pillow. :2

Re: Need some advice
 

I hate to admit it, but I'm with Pete on this one.

Re: Need some advice
 

:tg

Re: Need some advice
 

There's also some correlation between temperature and relative humidity, could explain some of this variation. Not sure how it works, but I've noticed the RH reading in my glasstop varies a % or two as the temp rises & falls. I don't stress over a few percentage points--I figure I'm just keeping the leaves comfy until I torch them anyway, not running a science experiment :2

Re: Need some advice
 

Exactly.

Re: Need some advice
 

Thanks for the response. After reading what you guys said, well, I feel a lot more at ease now, lol. Thanks!

Re: Need some advice
 

The only thing that bothers me is some of my cigars I have smoked recently self extinguish around the final third.....not that big of a deal I guess now that I think it over. It would be if upon relighting it tasted off, but it doesn't. I guess I should just dry box. The only thing that does worry me is what if I end up hanging onto a few smokes for years, can't 70 percent be a bad thing for long term aging? I have heard both sides of this story, so I just want to know what your experience is rather than what you think might happen. Thanks so much for your input guys.

Re: Need some advice
 

My understanding is that 70% is actually ideal for long term aging. Storing them at a lower RH slows down the process.

Re: Need some advice
 

Opinions vary....I find that low 60s is the best RH for the way I prefer my cigars to age. :)

Re: Need some advice
 

Just like everything else in this hobby. I don't actually have first hand experience with long term aging - I've only been smoking for a few years and my cooler has 65% beads in it.

Re: Need some advice
 

But you're in the mix now, Colin, and experimenting is half the fun! :tu