Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)

[ApexAZ]

I bought some Gurkha Regent Toro cigars and have had some issues with the wrapper cracking. I had one last night and the wrapper cracked about 1.5 inches up the length of the cigar when I punched it. I assume this means they might be a little dehydrated. My humidor seems to be holding around 68% RH and I'm wondering how long I should let these sit before they are properly rehydrated?

[SteelCityBoy]

Originally Posted by ApexAZ

I bought some Gurkha Regent Toro cigars and have had some issues with the wrapper cracking. I had one last night and the wrapper cracked about 1.5 inches up the length of the cigar when I punched it. I assume this means they might be a little dehydrated. My humidor seems to be holding around 68% RH and I'm wondering how long I should let these sit before they are properly rehydrated?

I try my best to let my smokes rest for about a month before smoking them. Sometimes however I just can't resist! It really depends I guess on where the sticks are coming from. If you just pick them up from a local B&M they should be good to go. When they come from long airborn trips it is best to let them bask in some good relative humidity for a bit. Also could be that someone just handed you a dried out stick which in that case could take a bit longer to bring back to good life.

[ApexAZ]

Originally Posted by SteelCityBoy

I try my best to let my smokes rest for about a month before smoking them. Sometimes however I just can't resist! It really depends I guess on where the sticks are coming from. If you just pick them up from a local B&M they should be good to go. When they come from long airborn trips it is best to let them bask in some good relative humidity for a bit. Also could be that someone just handed you a dried out stick which in that case could take a bit longer to bring back to good life.

I purchased from CI, which were shipped ground from PA to AZ. They took about 7 days. My guess is that they got a little dry.

I do really enjoy the flavor, but the wrapper and draw have been a little challenging on a couple. Also, I just realized this thread is stickied in the accessory forum. My apologies if I posted in the wrong thread. I'm still getting used to the layout here

[md4958]

Originally Posted by ApexAZ

I purchased from CI, which were shipped ground from PA to AZ. They took about 7 days. My guess is that they got a little dry.

I do really enjoy the flavor, but the wrapper and draw have been a little challenging on a couple.

Given the arid climate you live in, I would probably give most cigar 3-4 weeks to acclimate.

You mentioned draw issues, were they tight, like they were plugged? Could you feel a hard spot under or around the band area?

[ApexAZ]

Originally Posted by md4958

Given the arid climate you live in, I would probably give most cigar 3-4 weeks to acclimate.

You mentioned draw issues, were they tight, like they were plugged? Could you feel a hard spot under or around the band area?

I am not sure. I considered that but truthfully I was a little afraid to squeeze it for fear of cracking it.

2 out of 4 have had some draw and cracking issues. I really enjoyed the ones that smoked well. Are many of the Gurkhas like this?

[T.G]

Certain Gurkha cigars are infamous for fragile, splitting and exploding wrappers.

Can't really say how long they will need to sit to stabilize without knowing how far off they are, or if this will even help those particular cigars.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by T.G

Certain Gurkha cigars are infamous for fragile, splitting and exploding wrappers.

Adam's a smart feller. The Regents have Cameroon wrappers and they are very, very thin and fragile. If they get the slightest bit dry, they will fall apart. I would suggest keeping Cameroon wrapped cigars at 70%.

[irratebass]

Which is better for humidification, the gel or the boveda packs? I heard the gel you can use for years, just refill with dstilled water, and the packs are only good for a fw months, but I want your opinions.

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by irratebass

Which is better for humidification, the gel or the boveda packs? I heard the gel you can use for years, just refill with dstilled water, and the packs are only good for a fw months, but I want your opinions.

You can recharge the boveda packs. The gel is messy and IMHO ...crap.

[kydsid]

Originally Posted by irratebass

Which is better for humidification, the gel or the boveda packs? I heard the gel you can use for years, just refill with dstilled water, and the packs are only good for a fw months, but I want your opinions.

In my experience the boveda packs because they provide more consitent humidity levels in a humidor than gel. That is more important to me than lifespan. All things equal though I don't use either in my regular humidors. I do use boveda packs in the traveldor.

Beads (either type) are really the only answer to humidor humidifiaction IMO. Consistent humidity and long lasting. Don't bother with lesser options.

[irratebass]

Originally Posted by Bill86

You can recharge the boveda packs. The gel is messy and IMHO ...crap.

Originally Posted by kydsid

In my experience the boveda packs because they provide more consitent humidity levels in a humidor than gel. That is more important to me than lifespan. All things equal though I don't use either in my regular humidors. I do use boveda packs in the traveldor.

Beads (either type) are really the only answer to humidor humidifiaction IMO. Consistent humidity and long lasting. Don't bother with lesser options.

Right now $ is an issue and I can get both the gel and the packs for free, so based on your opinions I would go with the packs and I am looking at the 69%.....later when I get my coolidor I will get the beads, but right now I need a quick fix.

Any other opinons or suggestions?

Thanks

[irratebass]

Ok I am now confused, Which of these do you suggest, not saying I am getting them, I am just wanting some opinions:

http://www.neptunecigar.com/pr/xikar..._jar_4_oz.aspx

http://www.neptunecigar.com/pr/cigel_humidifier.aspx

[Mattso3000]

I've had the xikar jar in my 150 for 11 months and it's been locked on 68 on the hygrometer since I put it in.

[irratebass]

Originally Posted by Mattso3000

I've had the xikar jar in my 150 for 11 months and it's been locked on 68 on the hygrometer since I put it in.

Are these considered beads?

[kydsid]

Originally Posted by irratebass

Ok I am now confused, Which of these do you suggest, not saying I am getting them, I am just wanting some opinions:

http://www.neptunecigar.com/pr/xikar..._jar_4_oz.aspx

http://www.neptunecigar.com/pr/cigel_humidifier.aspx

I would go with the Ci-Gel as it says to add distilled water. The Xikar say used propylene glycol. The implication is the Ci-Gel itself is the regulator for humidity whereas the Xikar is just a matrix for PG similar to florist foam.

I would still use a boveda pack instead of either one.

Originally Posted by irratebass

Are these considered beads?

No. Xikar does not make beads. Beads are those from Shilalabeads or Heartfelt. Take the free option for now but save some money to get beads. They are really not that expensive. Around $30 a pound which is good for a large humidor. I run 2.5lbs, more than needed actually, in each of my edgestars.

[irratebass]

Originally Posted by kydsid

I would go with the Ci-Gel as it says to add distilled water. The Xikar say used propylene glycol. The implication is the Ci-Gel itself is the regulator for humidity whereas the Xikar is just a matrix for PG similar to florist foam.

I would still use a boveda pack instead of either one.






No. Xikar does not make beads. Beads are those from Shilalabeads or Heartfelt. Take the free option for now but save some money to get beads. They are really not that expensive. Around $30 a pound which is good for a large humidor. I run 2.5lbs, more than needed actually, in each of my edgestars.

Thanks Jason, I was thinkng the gel would be better....I had actually already placed my order, I ordered the 2 oz and the 4oz, but I just called them and changed the order to 2 gels (2 humis) and I will be getting the beads when I am ready...thanks for the info

[44stampede]

Originally Posted by kydsid

I would go with the Ci-Gel as it says to add distilled water. The Xikar say used propylene glycol. The implication is the Ci-Gel itself is the regulator for humidity whereas the Xikar is just a matrix for PG similar to florist foam.

I would still use a boveda pack instead of either one.






No. Xikar does not make beads. Beads are those from Shilalabeads or Heartfelt. Take the free option for now but save some money to get beads. They are really not that expensive. Around $30 a pound which is good for a large humidor. I run 2.5lbs, more than needed actually, in each of my edgestars.

What are the edgestars that you are referring to? Do people convert wine coolers to humidors?

[MurphysLaw]

Originally Posted by 44stampede

What are the edgestars that you are referring to? Do people convert wine coolers to humidors?

Yup, check out this thread: http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=48955

[CigarNut]

I thought you were going to go with Boveda Packs? I would go with the Boveda packs and stay away from (any kind) gel (Xikar or other brand).

[irratebass]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

I thought you were going to go with Boveda Packs? I would go with the Boveda packs and stay away from (any kind) gel (Xikar or other brand).

Too late, I am going to try this out 1st, if it works cool if not then I will do the Boveda packs....I did order a calibration pack though.