New guy with a humidor question

[SimFan777]

I got the humidor and it looks great. I want to set it up but I have a problem with the hydrometer. I mixed some salt and water into a salt water/paste mixture and put it in a bag with the hydrometer. The directions said it should take about 6 hours for it to get to about 75% humidity. If it does, then I know it is all set and can pop it into the humidor. However, it has been a few days now and it hasn't gone past 60% humidity. Should I put it into the humidor, finish setting it up and hope that the hydrometer is accurate, or should I get a new hydrometer? I've seen some electronic ones for pretty cheap.

[badwhale]

I got the humidor and it looks great. I want to set it up but I have a problem with the hydrometer. I mixed some salt and water into a salt water/paste mixture and put it in a bag with the hydrometer. The directions said it should take about 6 hours for it to get to about 75% humidity. If it does, then I know it is all set and can pop it into the humidor. However, it has been a few days now and it hasn't gone past 60% humidity. Should I put it into the humidor, finish setting it up and hope that the hydrometer is accurate, or should I get a new hydrometer? I've seen some electronic ones for pretty cheap.

What you're doing with the salt is creating a condition of nearly perfect 75rh. You're supposed to calibrate your analog to 75rh if it's not.

Get a digital one, and / or get humidity beads.

Will

[ggiese]

I got the humidor and it looks great. I want to set it up but I have a problem with the hydrometer. I mixed some salt and water into a salt water/paste mixture and put it in a bag with the hydrometer. The directions said it should take about 6 hours for it to get to about 75% humidity. If it does, then I know it is all set and can pop it into the humidor. However, it has been a few days now and it hasn't gone past 60% humidity. Should I put it into the humidor, finish setting it up and hope that the hydrometer is accurate, or should I get a new hydrometer? I've seen some electronic ones for pretty cheap.

The analog hygrometer you are checking is prone to innacuracy. You will have to adjust the setting to 75% at this point. And you'll have to check it from time to time for accuracy. Read the instructions that came with the unit to make the necessary adjustment. It's not a big deal - usually just a small turn of the slot somwhere on the back of the unit. Be careful, though - you can break it if you don't adjust it with care.

You're best off, though, picking up a digital hygrometer. They're relatively inexpensive and they are usually dead on accurate (without the need to calibrate).

[SimFan777]

I picked up a small digital thermometer/hygrometer and it seems to be working out well. My latest issue is prepping and seasoning the humidor. This thing has been a bitch to prep. I tried following the instructions that came with the guide (which said to put a shot glass filled with distilled water in there for a few days), but I haven't gone past 42% humidity. I tried putting the little humidifier puck with some humi-gel to help speed things up, and it still is at 42%.

I am hesitant to rub the walls down with a damp cloth as I've read articles/seen youtube videos both for and against doing that. I'm going on 4 or 5 days now. Should it take this long? Any tips?

[Mangyrat]

I picked up a small digital thermometer/hygrometer and it seems to be working out well. My latest issue is prepping and seasoning the humidor. This thing has been a bitch to prep. I tried following the instructions that came with the guide (which said to put a shot glass filled with distilled water in there for a few days), but I haven't gone past 42% humidity. I tried putting the little humidifier puck with some humi-gel to help speed things up, and it still is at 42%.

I am hesitant to rub the walls down with a damp cloth as I've read articles/seen youtube videos both for and against doing that. I'm going on 4 or 5 days now. Should it take this long? Any tips?

Just wipe it down with a damp clean uncented sponge and distiled water.
I do every one of my new humidors like that "6 so far" and have had no problems.
Just a damp sponge not soaking wet.