Some advice is needed...

phattysbox

laker1963

Russ55

phattysbox:

1) how do I reverse the drying without a humidor and keep them humid? What equipment do I need (hygrometer)?

Without using a humidor, you could use ziploc bags, tupperware, or a cooler. Make sure they are clean and/or new. You're going to need some kind of humidification device and a hygrometer. You're going to need to calibrate the hygrometer so you know it's accurate. I suggest a digital one, and a boveda calibration kit. Alternatively you can use the Salt test to calibrate. Google those terms and I'm sure they'll come up.

phattysbox:

2) I obviously need to shop for humidor. Any recommendations for someone starting out? Something small but can hold humidity perfectly?

Buy bigger than you think you'll need. Make sure you season it before you add sticks. A search will bring up tons of information on how to season. Alternatively Boveda makes a seasoning kit. They work great. Whether the humidor will hold humidity perfectly or not is going to depend on a lot of factors. How well you season it, it's quality and build construction, the humidity device, how often you open it, how full it is, and the ambient temp and humidity.

phattysbox:

3) are my habanos salvageable?

Yeah, more than likely. You just need to add humidity very slowly. The key with cigars is to do things slowly. Right now they are sitting at whatever your ambient humidity is at. You need to bring them up slowly to the 60ish range. I'd probably use a ziploc bag and some beads. Put a few charged beads in there and a calibrated hygrometer and just move the RH up slowly by adding more beads every few days. There might be other, better ways to do it though. I'm sure someone else will chime in.

phattysbox

Russ55

One2gofst

I would suggest NOT using the hygrometer or humidification device that is in a small humidor. The hygrometer will not be very accurate and neither will the humidification device. I'd stick with a good, inexpensive digital hygrometer and some beads for humidification.

phattysbox

Lasabar

phattysbox:

Clearly I need to learn more about this new found hobby. What are humi beads? They are beads that regulate humidity with little attention, just use Distilled water and they work great!Are they similar to pillows?Pillows do some of the same stuff, but are not as efficient and I believe they OUTPUT moisture for good measure, but don't ABSORB moisture if your humi is too moist as well as they should What is the ideal RH sticks need to be stored at? This is personal preference, but most say 65-70% is good, I prefer 65% for sure Do different cigar need different RHs? Some heavier and oily cigars can benefit from being a little drier to smoke, but if you plan your night, then you can pull the richer cigars a day before hand to let them dry a bit to smoke them, but that's is you are really anal about your stuff With a these questions if someone can direct me to a cigar guide or sticky that would be great.There is no guide, per se, but these forums are a great resource and we do NOT treat anyone with disdain for asking new questions (even if we'd heard them a million times before) so ASK AWAY and we shall answer! Funny, I'm always on the ever popular craft beer forum, beer advocate, giving advice. No I know how it is to be on the noon end of things.

ScottTDawg