I got myself a digital hydrometer a couple of days ago, because I suspected that the one in the door was off. Yesterday I placed the digital hydrometer in the same drawer as the analog, and put in three 65% Boveda packs after having just one 69% for a long time.
Well I do not really understand the readings I am getting, the analog says 74% (http://www.cigargeeks.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3868), the digital 57% (http://www.cigargeeks.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3869). None of them are even close to the 65% supposedly provided by the Boveda packs... Could it be that I have had to little humidification for a long tine and my humidor has dried out? And is now soaking up the Boveda packs?
It says on the website where I bought the digital hydrometer that it is highly accurate, can I trust that? I have not done any calibration or verification of such on any of them...
Quotehebron - 2/25/2014 2:20 PM ...It says on the website where I bought the digital hydrometer that it is highly accurate, can I trust that?...
No.
I put little faith in an analog. I would rely on the digital. Have your cigars been having cracked wrapper? Notice extra flaking when you cut a cap?
Yeah ur gonna need to calibrate them...there was a pretty decent thread on this not too long ago. It's a fairly simple process.
QuoteCfickter - 2/25/2014 2:25 PM I put little faith in an analog. I would rely on the digital. Have your cigars been having cracked wrapper? Notice extra flaking when you cut a cap?
I'll rely on the digital for consistency, but I would still want to see if it's accurate. Especially before messing with the humidor/humidification. When something weird seems to be going on, it's always best to check the simplest things first.
Yes calibration is absolutely KEY my friend! We did an article on the process a while back: http://www.dirtyleafcigars.com/cigars-101/ (http://www.dirtyleafcigars.com/cigars-101/)
I would double check that the digital is calibrated. I wouldn't be suprised if its cold to see that your levels are really that low. During the winter months, where humidity is almost zero in my house, I use 3 72% boveda packs as well as a Xikar gel jar just to keep them around 67-68%. I would suggest taking some of the propylene glycol juice and lightly wipe the walls and especially the top edges of the humidor and lid to make sure they shut tightly. Don't soak it, this always helps me.
Do the salt test and see how far off the hygrometers are.
Quotenwb - 2/25/2014 8:50 PM
Do the salt test and see how far off the hygrometers are.
x2 :word:
I'll jump on board and also advise that you calibrate your hygrometers before messing with your humidification. Once calibrated, the digital should give fairly consistent readings, and you can adjust your humidification from there.
QuoteRebecca Silverwolf - 2/25/2014 9:45 PM
I'll jump on board and also advise that you calibrate your hygrometers before messing with your humidification. Once calibrated, the digital should give fairly consistent readings, and you can adjust your humidification from there.
X100
Thanks for all the advice. During the night the humidity has risen to 58%. I've taken the digital hydrometer out and put it together with two others, just as a sanity check. Will do the salt test:)
If needed, is it OK to use PG solution to give it a quick wipe?
Quotehebron - 2/25/2014 10:19 PM
Thanks for all the advice. During the night the humidity has risen to 58%. I've taken the digital hydrometer out and put it together with two others, just as a sanity check. Will do the salt test:)
If needed, is it OK to use PG solution to give it a quick wipe?
Personally, I avoid applying liquid directly to my humidors. If you feel you need to re-season the wood, my method would be to empty the humidor (a tupperware or zip top bag makes acceptable temporary storage) and put a shallow dish of distilled water in the humidor, and allow it to season for a few days. Just my preference, a lot of the guys here do wipe down their humis, and seem to have decent luck with it.
Quotehebron - 2/26/2014 7:19 AM
I've taken the digital hydrometer out and put it together with two others, just as a sanity check.
The three hydrometers have been placed together for 6-7 hours; and is now showing 44%, 43% and 44%... Let you know when I have done the salt test, just need to get my hands on some distilled water.
In the meantime I thing I'll just add another Boveda pack and see if the humidity slowly increases.
QuoteHave your cigars been having cracked wrapper? Notice extra flaking when you cut a cap?
No wrappers is cracked, but some of them so sound a little more crispy then I'm used to. Been a while since I've smoked one now...
QuoteI wouldn't be suprised if its cold to see that your levels are really that low. During the winter months, where humidity is almost zero in my house, I use 3 72% boveda packs as well as a Xikar gel jar just to keep them around 67-68%.
The humidor is placed in my home office, where we also dry our clothes. So room humidity is normally between 35%-45%.
Quotehebron - 2/26/2014 1:19 AM
Thanks for all the advice. During the night the humidity has risen to 58%. I've taken the digital hydrometer out and put it together with two others, just as a sanity check. Will do the salt test:)
If needed, is it OK to use PG solution to give it a quick wipe?
I wouldn't until you get the hygrometer calibrated. Did you season the humidor before you put the cigars in it? If not, You should. As Rebecca mentioned, you can wipe it down with distilled water, but if you do, give it a very light wipe down with a clean lint free cloth, do not soak it. Then, put some Boveda's in it and let it stabilize. Looking at least a few days, just put your cigars in a zip lock while you are seasoning.
QuoteDonM - 2/26/2014 2:12 PM
Quotehebron - 2/26/2014 1:19 AM
Thanks for all the advice. During the night the humidity has risen to 58%. I've taken the digital hydrometer out and put it together with two others, just as a sanity check. Will do the salt test:)
If needed, is it OK to use PG solution to give it a quick wipe?
I wouldn't until you get the hygrometer calibrated. Did you season the humidor before you put the cigars in it? If not, You should. As Rebecca mentioned, you can wipe it down with distilled water, but if you do, give it a very light wipe down with a clean lint free cloth, do not soak it. Then, put some Boveda's in it and let it stabilize. Looking at least a few days, just put your cigars in a zip lock while you are seasoning.
The humidor was seasoned by the shop prior to shipping. It was part of a get-started pack. I've been in contact with the shop numerous times, and they are dedicated people with a love for cigars. So I have no reason to doubt that the seasoning. I've had the humidors for a couple of years, but I've just had one Boveda pack in it, which I am starting to realize is not enough.
Yeay, I'll get the hydrometer checked first and take it from there :) Thanks.
If you've only had one pack in it for a couple of years, it probably needs to be seasoned again. That's not nearly enough.
QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 2:32 PM
If you've only had one pack in it for a couple of years, it probably needs to be seasoned again. That's not nearly enough.
That was my growing suspicion... I'll leave a shallow dish with distilled water in it for a few days as Rebecca suggested.
The built-in hydrometer is way off, so I've though everything for alright for a long time...
Thanks all for your inputs :-)
What's the rated capacity of your humidor?
QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 2:40 PM
What's the rated capacity of your humidor?
100 cigars, so three packs according to this site (http://www.bovedapacks.com/how_many_needs).
Quotehebron - 2/26/2014 7:42 AM QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 2:40 PM What's the rated capacity of your humidor?
100 cigars, so three packs according to this site (http://www.bovedapacks.com/how_many_needs).
Yeah, that's what I was looking at too. Although, Boveda's website shows this...
(http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae211/conditionZero/Capture_zpsff875ea8.jpg)
QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 2:48 PM
Quotehebron - 2/26/2014 7:42 AM QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 2:40 PM What's the rated capacity of your humidor?
100 cigars, so three packs according to this site (http://www.bovedapacks.com/how_many_needs).
Yeah, that's what I was looking at too. Although, Boveda's website shows this...
(http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae211/conditionZero/Capture_zpsff875ea8.jpg)
I'll put four in there when the seasoning is done then :-) Should I leave a digital hydrometer inside while seasoning and check the humidity from time to time? Or just leave it closed for a couple of days without opening it?
Quotehebron - 2/26/2014 8:50 AM
QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 2:48 PM
Quotehebron - 2/26/2014 7:42 AM QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 2:40 PM What's the rated capacity of your humidor?
100 cigars, so three packs according to this site (http://www.bovedapacks.com/how_many_needs).
Yeah, that's what I was looking at too. Although, Boveda's website shows this...
(http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae211/conditionZero/Capture_zpsff875ea8.jpg)
I'll put four in there when the seasoning is done then :-) Should I leave a digital hydrometer inside while seasoning and check the humidity from time to time? Or just leave it closed for a couple of days without opening it?
I would use 4 packs, put them in with the distilled water and the hygrometer for a few days. Then remove the distilled water. Once the humi stabilizes, add your cigars a little at a time. Adding them all at once will throw your RH off again. You are on the right track
There's so much info around here on how to properly season that I won't attempt to restate what those who know more than me have already said. But, if it was me, I would leave the hygrometer in there. When I seasoned my 100ct desktop, I went too far and had to let it sit with no source of humidity for several days to calm back down before adding cigars.
Joe is right on, patience is the key. Let the humi stabilize BEFORE you start adding the cigars
Thank you all for your feedback, this has been nagging me for some time now. I now know what to do! This community is a great resource :bigthumbs: :smoker:
Thomas, I think the correct thing to do is send all your cigars to us and we will smoke them and tell you if they were still good. Then they won't be in your way while you reseason your humidor
Seasoning of the humidor (http://www.cigargeeks.com/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=338;u=53623) has began!
:smoker:
Quotebmac7754 - 2/26/2014 4:52 PM
Thomas, I think the correct thing to do is send all your cigars to us and we will smoke them and tell you if they were still good. Then they won't be in your way while you reseason your humidor
Hehe, I do not think my collection (http://www.cigargeeks.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3873) would cause much excitement ;-) But I do appreciate you putting yourself out there like that :smoker2:
How long can one store cigars in zip-lock bags without humidification like Boveda packs?
I didn't see anyone post this above, but to save you from possible confusion down the road...
A Hydrometer is used to measure relative gravity in liquids. Often for finding the ABV in liquor.
A Hygrometer is used to measure relative humidity in a space. Often for maintain humidors for cigar collections.
Quotemike.casey - 2/26/2014 6:52 PM
I didn't see anyone post this above, but to save you from possible confusion down the road...
A Hydrometer is used to measure relative gravity in liquids. Often for finding the ABV in liquor.
A Hygrometer is used to measure relative humidity in a space. Often for maintain humidors for cigar collections.
Thanks Mike, I've had that wrong for years... Apparently... :shamebag:
No worries, we all make mistakes every day.
Quotemike.casey - 2/26/2014 1:26 PM No worries, we all make mistakes every day.
Hay! Speek for your self!
QuoteconditionZero - 2/26/2014 1:37 PM
Quotemike.casey - 2/26/2014 1:26 PM No worries, we all make mistakes every day.
Hay! Speek for your self!
:biggrin:
I certainly am... I guess I should say, I make mistakes every day.
"Smart people learn from their mistakes. But the real sharp ones learn from the mistakes of others."
-- Brandon Mull, Fablehaven
So, this morning the hygrometer (thanks Mike) showed 62%. Do I take the bowl of water out when it reaches 65%? Or leave it in longer?
I have four 65% Boveda packs in with the sterile water.
I would leave it in. At 62 the wood is probably still drawing in some moisture. Give it another day and see where it is at. Patience is a virtue when seasoning a humidor
QuoteDonM - 2/27/2014 1:22 PM
I would leave it in. At 62 the wood is probably still drawing in some moisture. Give it another day and see where it is at. Patience is a virtue when seasoning a humidor
It's now 67%, so I think I'll remove it later this afternoon. Check the humidity after another 24 hours, and start introducing the cigars if anything is ok :-)
Just received two Padron 1924 Series, No.2 and No.9. So need my humidor in good shape :smoker:
Update: Had dish with sterile water and four 65% Boveda packs in for 48 hours, after which the humidity was 69%. Removed dish and let stabilize for 36 hours, after which the humidity was 65%. Added first batch of cigars.
Did salt test on the digital hygrometer and got 73%. Humidity levels in this post include the 2% offset.
:smoker2:
Looks like you became an expert in seasoning humidors, glad it worked out for you
Glad to hear all is well. Gotta have a nicely seasoned humi for those Padrons, they are great sticks.
Patience is defiantly the key. Glad you got youre's up and going.
20 sticks have gone in, Padrons included :-) Humidity dropped to 63%, but could just be because the humidor was open for a bit. 20 more sticks tomorrow. Thank you all for your support, this has been a great learning experience for me :-)