New member with newbie questions.
Hey guys been lurking for a few days and decided to join. First off, hey I'm Bobby. Been smoking for about a year now don't do it that often but when I get the chance too I really enjoy it. Couple questions to start out.
My humidor is hot and humid (I live in Georgia it's never anything but hot and humid here) ever since I put my new humidifier in (just the sponge type with distilled water) I seasoned it and everything about a year ago when I bought it. How should I get the humidity down? I'm going to get it to cool down by moving it soon possibly to a closet or basement. I've heard that going forward I should only add water as the humidity gets low but what can I do to get it down now? I've heard of the boveda packs and think I understand them what are the beads that you all talk about? Should I just toss the humidifier and get some of those or do they work with the sponge type humidifiers?
I don't have the measurements of my humidor or the number of sticks in it off the top of my head but could get that when I get home from work if I need to. Thanks in advance.
Comments
get the 65% beads. they should bring the RH down. no sponge needed.
EDIT - Dry cedar will indeed bring your humidify down - but only temporarily. That cedar can only soak up so much before it's saturated and your humidity will then begin rising again (the beads can be dried out in 10 min with a hairdryer and put back in immediately)
Right now it is about 74 degrees and 75% hum. It's a digital hygrometer. Should I just stick with the 65% beads or should I mix 65 and 70 later once it balances out (I think I saw that in someone else's post on here somewhere).
P.S. Has anyone seen my cutter? I'm wanting a cigar to finish off and long week and can't find it to save my life.
To be somewhat helpful, since your living in such a humid environment, go with the 65% beads, because what I experience (living in a somewhat desert environment) is that even with beads, you humidity tends to creep up and down a bit. If you go with 70% or 75% beads and your humidity starts to skyrocket, your going to risk mold growing on your sticks. Aside from that, welcome to the forum!
Thanks. Seems like a real wealth of knowledge here that I'm looking forward to sucking up. And I've looked around and haven't seen it. but is there a link explaining how to quote post pictures etc.? I'm not familiar with this forum software.
But to piggyback on what others have said - I live in Florida, and I use the 65% beads, but my humidor typically maintains a humidity of 67% or so - so depending whether your outside air is more/less humid, you'll want to order beads accordingly (I also agree with the 65% bead suggestion)
I'm about to place an order with Heartfelt for beads; being in the desert here in Nevada should I go with the 70% even though almost all you guys prefer to run the 65%, or is 65% a more desirable rh for a good burn? With the higher normal air temp; obviously I use the AC almost continuosly, would that be another reason to favor the 65%, or am I over thinking this and it really is personal choice?
I would love to you hear you thoughts on this when you get a moment, thanks.
Rob
Also, most of us recommend 65% due to preference - I just find the draw is better at 65 than at 70%, but you may prefer something entirely different
Anyone ever wonder why we tend to treat our cigars like kids??? Or is it just me... (or mainly my girlfriend telling me)
LoL... Not sure I want to know, but I feel compelled to ask... Where are you finding "wet cigars"?
1) The recommended amount of beads will have you filling up the humidifier about once a week - getting 2x or more lessens the need to refill - so you should only need to refill once every 2 or 3 weeks
2) Every time you open the lid of your humidor, you let most of the humidity out, which means your humidifier needs to release humidity to get your humidor back to where it should be. The more beads you have, the faster this happens, and the less exposed your cigars are to non-humid air
If you were so inclined and had the room in your humidor, there's no reason you couldn't use 3x or 4x the recommended amount (though doing such a things gets rather expensive, and starts to use up room that's better spent on cigars)
I just ordered a 2 ounce 65% rH tube (which covers 2180 cubic inches and my humidor is right at 730 cubic inches) even though I live in the desert based on what Kuzi said cigars really are not adversely affected if you keep the humidity between 55% and 70%. I was thinking if the 65% beads keep it near 63-65% I would be fine, and worst case as a few people have mentioned if they sky rocket up they would be about 69-71% rH.
Once they arrive I will let you knows how it goes.
Rob
But then again I don't think I would have noticed one coming from ccom, when my sticks arrive, I take one about an inch or 2 out of it's sleeve and take a good couple of wiffs of it, then toss them in my humi and usuall don't come back too those sticks for at least weeks.
Thanks Lassy!