A few first humidor questions

[Whee]

Originally Posted by prophetnoir

As a new member and new(ish) cigar smoker I am negotiating the slippery slope with as much cautious abandon as I can. It helps that I am jobless at the moment and also living at home again (yes … with mom). I have placed an order with Daniel Marshall for one of their stock sale specials. I expect to take delivery of 125 count (coronas) humidor.
I have some questions that are not exactly addressed on their website, nor did I find any information by doing a search here. Hopefully a few of the members here can help.

BTW, I know that someone is already gearing up to tell me that I should go bigger or build a coolerdor or get a Vino. Seriously, I have severe space limitations and I do not anticipate acquiring a significantly large collection of sticks very rapidly. I do think that investing in a quality humidor right now makes all practical sense for me and I am very happy with my choice. That being said, I have the following questions:

The manufacturer’s website states that their humidors do not require seasoning prior to being used.
Should I trust them on this as far as seasoning goes and just calibrate the hydrometer and drop the sticks in when everything in the humi reads that it is ready to go?

I may in fact receive some sticks prior to the Humidor being delivered. Will they keep well in a few ziplocks that have 69% Boveda Humidipaks in them? How many sticks should I put in each ziplock?

Regarding the humidifier. I believe that DM uses a Credo 70 in their humidors. I have seen a tutorial on the heartfelt website on how to remove the foam and replace it with beads. I would like to do this and I am wondering if an order for two 2 oz. bags from Shilala will fit the empty Credo. Would anyone recommend doing this?

That’s all I have for now. I am a bit amped to be getting my first humidor and I hope to have a pic or two to post when it arrives.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Mason

I;d calibrate and season myself. The sticks will be ok in a ziploc for days. You defniitely want to get rid of the credo. Not used Scott's beads, but 2 oz would probably be sufficient.

Get a digital hygrometer. The analogs are notoriously hard to calibrate, if they ever do.

Welcome to the slope...

Originally Posted by illinoishoosier

I;d calibrate and season myself. The sticks will be ok in a ziploc for days. You defniitely want to get rid of the credo. Not used Scott's beads, but 2 oz would probably be sufficient.

Get a digital hygrometer. The analogs are notoriously hard to calibrate, if they ever do.

Welcome to the slope...

Thanks for the advice and the welcome Sean. I did upgrade to a digital hydrometer when I placed my order. I will do the seasoning myself. Do you (or anyone else) have experience with using the Boveda seasoning and calibration packs? I know that the shotglass full of distilled water has been the tried and true method of seasoning as has salt calibration been for hydrometer calibration.
I have read in many posts that the the humidipaks are foolproof for both applications also. Any thoughts?

[Whee]

Originally Posted by prophetnoir

Thanks for the advice and the welcome Sean. I did upgrade to a digital hydrometer when I placed my order. I will do the seasoning myself. Do you (or anyone else) have experience with using the Boveda seasoning and calibration packs? I know that the shotglass full of distilled water has been the tried and true method of seasoning as has salt calibration been for hydrometer calibration.
I have read in many posts that the the humidipaks are foolproof for both applications also. Any thoughts?

I use the calibration packs. I ain't smart enough to do the salt test. Have been using them for two years and have never had any issues. They calibrate consistently. Well worth the $4.

My first humi, I used the seasoning pack, but now I use a slightly warmed bowl of water for a couple of days, and that usually does the trick.

Originally Posted by illinoishoosier

I use the calibration packs. I ain't smart enough to do the salt test. Have been using them for two years and have never had any issues. They calibrate consistently. Well worth the $4.

My first humi, I used the seasoning pack, but now I use a slightly warmed bowl of water for a couple of days, and that usually does the trick.

Thanks again!