Newbie Humidor Question

[tjcravey]

I've been reading some of the threads on setting up a new humidor, but I have a question.

Yesterday I bought one of the CAO Sopranos Limited Edition Humidors with 48 CAO Tony Soprano 60 gauge cigars. Both the humidor and the cigars have been stored in the shops walk-in humidor at 70-75% RH for almost a year.

Since the humidor has been at the proper humidity level for so long, shouldn't I be able to skip the whole seasoning process? The reason I'm asking is because the 48 Cigars did not come individually wrapped, and I don't have another humidor to keep them all in. Right now, I have all the cigars unwrapped and in the new humidor with a humidifier and hygrometer, and after sitting overnight, I'm only up to 67% RH. I know that's not terribly low, but I've got a lot invested here, definitely my largest cigar purchase so far, so I want to be extra sure not to mess anything up, so I figured I'd ask the experts.

Anything I need to do to make sure these cigars stay in tip-top shape?

Thanks
T.J. Cravey

[badwhale]

I've been reading some of the threads on setting up a new humidor, but I have a question.

Yesterday I bought one of the CAO Sopranos Limited Edition Humidors with 48 CAO Tony Soprano 60 gauge cigars. Both the humidor and the cigars have been stored in the shops walk-in humidor at 70-75% RH for almost a year.

Since the humidor has been at the proper humidity level for so long, shouldn't I be able to skip the whole seasoning process? The reason I'm asking is because the 48 Cigars did not come individually wrapped, and I don't have another humidor to keep them all in. Right now, I have all the cigars unwrapped and in the new humidor with a humidifier and hygrometer, and after sitting overnight, I'm only up to 67% RH. I know that's not terribly low, but I've got a lot invested here, definitely my largest cigar purchase so far, so I want to be extra sure not to mess anything up, so I figured I'd ask the experts.

Anything I need to do to make sure these cigars stay in tip-top shape?
Thanks
T.J. Cravey

Post an intro, and post in the right forum for starters.

Will

[ashauler]

Did you calibrate your hygrometer? If not, you should do that right away. 67 rh isn't a bad smoking rh at all, so imo, once you calibrate your hygro your goal would be to keep it right there. You'll be able to tell if it needs seasoning if your rh drops rapidly now that it's not in the walk-in any longer. Unless you've got a walk-in humi in your basement, which you could have, it's not that hard to do...but I digress.

No, I wouldn't think that you would have to season the humi, unless it was kept completely closed and sealed while in the walk-in. Which it could have been, but I don't know. I've often wondered why some b/m's keep all their boxes sealed in the cellophane in the walk-in and don't open them right up so they can acclimate. Maybe people like to buy sealed up boxes, I dunno that either. Can't say it really matters too much to me personally, but I digress.

If you are going to use the foam humidifier type thingy, be sure to use PG solution, but you're rh will most likely move to 70%. Which could cause wrappers to crack when you smoke them. I think the wrappers become non-porous somewhere around 70%, so the moisture can't get out of the cigar and pop goes the wrapper. I can't figure out why the moisture would want to escape though. I mean, damn, what did the cigar ever to do it? I would think the tobacco would be good company for the moisture. It's quiet, unassuming, and has a pleasant smell...but I digress.

What were we talking about?

Oh, and welcome to the bored.

[Shelby07]

No need get too anal about your humidity. Anything between 63-70 is fine. Just keep it stable. How they look and feel is a hell of a lot more important than some reading on a meter.

It's been said before, but I hope you like Sopranos.

[tjcravey]

Thanks guys. I feel a little better now.

I haven't tried the Cigars yet, I'm hoping they're good. I'm waiting until my birthday party Saturday night.

I really liked the Sopranos T.V. show and I have a bunch of other memorabilia, (framed posters, trinkets, and the like) so with the deal I was able to get, and the reviews I read about the CAO cigars that came with it, I couldn't pass it up.

Sorry about posting this in the wrong forum, is there any way to move a thread?

[ashauler]

No need get too anal about your humidity. Anything between 63-70 is fine. Just keep it stable. How they look and feel is a hell of a lot more important than some reading on a meter.

It's been said before, but I hope you like Sopranos.

Which is what I meant about calibrating the meter. I agree on not being anal about the exact rh, and also with the range you mention.

[mrtr33]

Welcome from northwest Louisiana.

It must suck being a Gator.

Your humidity shouldn't be a problem, but only you will really be able to answer that question. When you say that they aren't wrapped, you mean with no cellophane on them, right? I don't think the Soprano line had cellophane on them to begin with, IIRC.

Your humi sounds good to go- that humidity is about right. Try this, though: smoke one right now. After you're done, go down to your local B&M and pick up an empty cigar box, and put one of your cigars in that until Saturday night. Once your birthday night comes, and before the strippers arrive, smoke the one that's been in the box for a few days, and see if you can tell the difference. If you can, and you like it better, you'll know you enjoy smoking cigars that are a bit more dried out than what your humi keeps them at. It's pretty common.

What happens when you make another cigar purchase, though? Check out making a coolerdor if you think you're in this hobby for any length of time. There's a great link in the Accessories section of the forum. They are cheap to make, and do a great job. No reason why you can't have this fancy-pants Sopranos humi as a nice show piece.

Also, where is the hygrometer on that thing? If it's on the top of the humidor, and not inside the humidor, it may not be reading your RH correctly.

Welcome again.

[heftysmokes]

LMAO, I think Ash needs a nap.

[tjcravey]

Welcome from northwest Louisiana.

It must suck being a Gator.

I guess we will find out Saturday night, eh Tiger?

When you say that they aren't wrapped, you mean with no cellophane on them, right? I don't think the Soprano line had cellophane on them to begin with, IIRC.

Yeah, sorry, I meant they weren't in cellophone.

Your humi sounds good to go- that humidity is about right. Try this, though: smoke one right now. After you're done, go down to your local B&M and pick up an empty cigar box, and put one of your cigars in that until Saturday night. Once your birthday night comes, and before the strippers arrive, smoke the one that's been in the box for a few days, and see if you can tell the difference. If you can, and you like it better, you'll know you enjoy smoking cigars that are a bit more dried out than what your humi keeps them at. It's pretty common.

Hmm...That's a great idea, I would have never thought of that. I actually have an empty wooden cigar box from some Puros Indios that a friend of mine left at my house. I'll try that.

What happens when you make another cigar purchase, though? Check out making a coolerdor if you think you're in this hobby for any length of time. There's a great link in the Accessories section of the forum. They are cheap to make, and do a great job. No reason why you can't have this fancy-pants Sopranos humi as a nice show piece.

I have another smaller desktop humidor that I bought before I got married. After I separated and was moving I found it. It had been neglected for a long time, so the humidifier needed to be replaced, as it had turned green. So yesterday while I was at the store I also got a new hygrometer and some of that xicar gel. It's already back up to 71% RH after just one night.

But it is pretty small, and if this newbie sampler deal works out for me, I'll definitely need more room. The coolerdor might be the way to go.

Also, where is the hygrometer on that thing? If it's on the top of the humidor, and not inside the humidor, it may not be reading your RH correctly.

In the picture all you're able to see is the top tray, that whole top tray lifts out and there's another two high stack of cigars under that. The hygrometer is down there next to the cigars on that level, and there's a divider dividing the cigars and hygrometer from 2 jars of xicar gel.

That's probably overkill, but I was freaking out a bit about the RH% thinking if I didn't get it to 75% I'd dry out my sticks. I'll check it when I get home from work and see how the day went.

Welcome again.

Thanks!

[tjcravey]

Up to 68%, so it appears to be holding pretty steady. Thanks again, everyone, for all of your help!

[ggiese]

The Diamond Crown humidifier is da bomb. I've had one of thoese in my desktop for a couple of years now. Keeps the humidity very steady. Just make sure you keep it filled. I found an eye dropper works very well to fill the reservoir.

[mrtr33]

I guess we will find out Saturday night, eh Tiger?

Actually, I hate the Tigers, too. I kind of want them both to lose. I'm a Buckeye.

The coolerdor might be the way to go.

Try this.

[mail man]

Welcome from northwest Louisiana.

What happens when you make another cigar purchase, though? Check out making a coolerdor if you think you're in this hobby for any length of time. There's a great link in the Accessories section of the forum. They are cheap to make, and do a great job.

Just do yourself a favor and buy as big a cooler as you can stash away. I made a coolerdor with a small cooler thinking "I will never fill this"...two weeks later, I have sticks sitting in tupperware waiting for the new cooler to stablize.

The slope is very slippery, and fast.

Keith

[tjcravey]

The Diamond Crown humidifier is da bomb. I've had one of thoese in my desktop for a couple of years now. Keeps the humidity very steady. Just make sure you keep it filled. I found an eye dropper works very well to fill the reservoir.

Is there any problem keeping the Diamond Crown Humidifier and the Xicar Gel in the same humidor?

[heftysmokes]

Just do yourself a favor and buy as big a cooler as you can stash away. I made a coolerdor with a small cooler thinking "I will never fill this"...two weeks later, I have sticks sitting in tupperware waiting for the new cooler to stablize.

The slope is very slippery, and fast.

Keith

You shouldn't need to "stabilize" a cooler. They're made of plastic. Plastic does not absorb moisture. Put in your cigars and your beads and you should be fine.

[Roger]

I have to chime in here just a bit. I have to say that my experience of setting a coolidor up has been awesome. You just cannot beat the space to price ratio. Not only this but they seal very well and keep the humidity just fine. You can't go wrong with a coolidor, especially if you are interested in collecting a wide variety of smokes. Roger.

[mail man]

You shouldn't need to "stabilize" a cooler. They're made of plastic. Plastic does not absorb moisture. Put in your cigars and your beads and you should be fine.

Should have said that I made a box in it with Spanish cedar, and that is what I am stabilizing, not the actual cooler.