Sticks unwrapping

[hed]

Well, after a couple days of using the 60% beads, the rh went down to 67%. In more than two weeks, the lowest it got was 66%. The ambient rh here in MT is usually in the 40s or 50s so I've been using the beads dry to absorb the excess moisture. I'm wondering if the beads I'm using were labeled incorrectly.

The smokes are still hit or miss. The Connecticut-wrapped are doing better than the Cameroons, but not much. Maybe I'm just being too impatient. Perhaps I need to bury them until next year and see how they fare. Regardless, I still have to get the rh down. How accurate are the Heartfelt beads?

[badwhale]

Well, after a couple days of using the 60% beads, the rh went down to 67%. In more than two weeks, the lowest it got was 66%. The ambient rh here in MT is usually in the 40s or 50s so I've been using the beads dry to absorb the excess moisture. I'm wondering if the beads I'm using were labeled incorrectly.

The smokes are still hit or miss. The Connecticut-wrapped are doing better than the Cameroons, but not much. Maybe I'm just being too impatient. Perhaps I need to bury them until next year and see how they fare. Regardless, I still have to get the rh down. How accurate are the Heartfelt beads?

You seem to be having an extraordinary epidemic. Cameroon is a fragile wrapper. I mean, I run about 66-67 and mine are smoking ok.

What cigars are they?

Will

[hed]

You seem to be having an extraordinary epidemic. Cameroon is a fragile wrapper. I mean, I run about 66-67 and mine are smoking ok.

What cigars are they?

Will

Starting to split after x% smoked:

Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Sun Grown (after 5%)
Partagas Robusto (25%)
Gispert Robusto (50%)
Flor De Oliva 6 X 50 (50%)
Trinidad Toro Natural (0%)

I have 5 sticks of a 10 stick sampler that I bought the same time as the Olivas. The five I smoked had no issues (other than the Final Blend Robusto which was so tight I could barely get it lit; I threw it out after 5 minutes).

[hed]

Well, I've had my wineador going for a few months now (GolfNut did a great job building the trays I designed). The stablized temp and rh (66-68/65%) eventually got most of my smokes to behave themselves. The only exception are the AF Chateu Fuente Sungrowns. I have other Cameroon-wrapped smokes but the AFs are the only ones that continue giving me trouble. I only have one left so not a big deal. I've already found many good replacement smokes. Thanks for the input guys; you've helped save some good soldiers.

[hed]

I appreciate all the input from you guys on this subject. Lowering my rh definitely made a difference but not completely. I touched on the subject with Paddy after receiving a newb sampler from him. After providing him with a few additional details, I think he nailed what I was doing wrong. So far, I've noticed a difference with no splitting, cooler burn, and even better taste. Time will tell, but I'm feeling confident. Here's Paddy's take:

I think I just might have figured out what your problem is. The triple torch lighter gave it away.
There is an art to lighting a cigar. A triple torch makes it difficult to do. I believe you are making a cherry far too deep into the cigar and the hot air & gases are causing your cigar to split. Use a single flame torch, run it clockwise around the rim (create something that looks like an eclipse of the sun; a ring of fire around the rim). Blow on it, then light the filler; run the flame clockwise around the filler and then blow on it to create a good cherry. NEVER LET THE FLAME TOUCH THE TOBACCO! Hold it a few inches away. Lighting a cigar should take 2-3 minutes, not 30 seconds. Then put the cigar in your mouth hit it again quickly with the torch (again, do not let the flame touch the cigar). Remove it and blow on the cherry again. NOW smoke it.

When you are over lighting a cigar (blow-torching the filler, or pushing the flame into the filler), you create a cherry that is further into the cigar than it should be (lets say .5-1 inches as opposed to .25-.5). That large cherry stays even after the light is over. Thus, your filler is burning further down the lenght of the cigar than the wrapper and binder. Again all that hot air and gases need to go somewhere.......split wrappers

[heftysmokes]

I appreciate all the input from you guys on this subject. Lowering my rh definitely made a difference but not completely. I touched on the subject with Paddy after receiving a newb sampler from him. After providing him with a few additional details, I think he nailed what I was doing wrong. So far, I've noticed a difference with no splitting, cooler burn, and even better taste. Time will tell, but I'm feeling confident. Here's Paddy's take:

Sounds pretty logical. Just took someone to look at it from a different perspective.

[ashauler]

Sounds pretty logical. Just took someone to look at it from a different perspective.

Or be drunk.

[bigbill1300]

Sounds pretty logical. Just took someone to look at it from a different perspective.

Nice post Paddy,I learn something new every day. Thank's for the great info!!!