New Member, Need Some Help

[kevin7]

It's ugly and overpriced. If you want to spend $$ on a humidor look at what this place has to offer. I am only endorsing them because I have boufgt from them before and have had excellent results

http://www.cubancrafters.com/categories/HUMIDOR/

[jmontz]

Straight and to the point. I checked out that site, I like this one:

http://www.cubancrafters.com/product...-CAPACITY.html

Do you know where I can get a seasoning and calibration kit? or instructions on how to do it?

Thanks.

[kevin7]

I will get back with you tonight. There is nothing you need to buy to season it. Perhaps one of the members can add their 2 cents about a digital hygrometer and beads

[ggiese]

Heartfelt beads, distilled water (in a spray bottle so you can mist the beads) and a digital hygrometer (if you don't want to take the time to calibrate a analog hygrometer) is all you'll need.

Wipe down the humidor interior several times with a clean cloth soaked with distilled water until the water no longer soaks into the wood (2, maybe 3 times). Let the humidor stabilize overnight and the hygrometer reads roughly 70%. Load the humidor with cigars (you can safely store the cigars in a heavy ziplock bag or a sealed Tupperware container until you're ready). The humidity may likely drop - that's okay. (Though seriously resist the temptation to open the humidor often to check the humidity level). Check the beads weekly and mist them as necessary. Otherwise - don't sweat it.

That's as easy as it is...

[8-5-8]

for Cubancrafters! I bought this box back in 2005 and it's done me well with my modest collection. Probably going to upgrade to something with a solid top and no hygro in the front just to minimize moisture loss over time, but it's been a good humidor. Think I paid $75 for it, but my memory isn't what it was.

[jmontz]

Heartfelt beads, distilled water (in a spray bottle so you can mist the beads) and a digital hygrometer (if you don't want to take the time to calibrate a analog hygrometer) is all you'll need.

Wipe down the humidor interior several times with a clean cloth soaked with distilled water until the water no longer soaks into the wood (2, maybe 3 times). Let the humidor stabilize overnight and the hygrometer reads roughly 70%. Load the humidor with cigars (you can safely store the cigars in a heavy ziplock bag or a sealed Tupperware container until you're ready). The humidity may likely drop - that's okay. (Though seriously resist the temptation to open the humidor often to check the humidity level). Check the beads weekly and mist them as necessary. Otherwise - don't sweat it.

That's as easy as it is...

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate the help.

When I let the humidor stabilize overnight should I leave it open or closed?

[jmontz]

Can anyone give me a website to buy the beads from? Can't find them anywhere.

[CptnBlues63]

Can anyone give me a website to buy the beads from? Can't find them anywhere.

Google "Heartfelt Beads"

[ggiese]

Can anyone give me a website to buy the beads from? Can't find them anywhere.

Would you also like one of us to stop by, set your humidor up and give you valuable pointers?

Kevin - I believe you're up! ...or was it Buzz.

[ggiese]

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate the help.

When I let the humidor stabilize overnight should I leave it open or closed?

Keep it closed

[smithjason]

Straight and to the point. I checked out that site, I like this one:

http://www.cubancrafters.com/product...-CAPACITY.html

Do you know where I can get a seasoning and calibration kit? or instructions on how to do it?

Thanks.

Really nice website

[jmontz]

Okay, finally got my humidor stable Planning on ordering my first cigars for the box. My friend told me about mikescigars.com I was going to order a few samplers from their site. Has anyone used it before? Is it a reputable source for cigars?

[jmontz]

It's ugly and overpriced. If you want to spend $$ on a humidor look at what this place has to offer. I am only endorsing them because I have boufgt from them before and have had excellent results

http://www.cubancrafters.com/categories/HUMIDOR/

Thanks for telling me about cuban crafters. The humidor just came in today and it looks sooo nice!

[jmontz]

I looked on Heartfeltindustries.com for my heartfelt beads. They have heartfelt bead tubes and heartfelt bead humidifiers. Is one better than the other? Anyone have a preference?

[Mangyrat]

Both do the same thing just get the one you like.

[ashauler]

Both do the same thing just get the one you like.

And that you have room for.

[jmontz]

Okay, I bought the humidor, the heartfelt beads, and the distilled water. The Humidor came with instructions that specifically said DO NOT wipe down the humidor with a wet cloth. It said to leave my humidifier in the humidor with a cup of water for 8 hours until the humidor reached 72%. WHAT I DID- I took a tupperware container filled it with about an inch of water and then wet my heartfelt beads and put them in as well. I then left it for 10 hours and the hydrometer now reads 75%. Is this good enough for my humidor? Is it broken in now? because I'd hate to start filling it up with cigars and then watch them go bad just because I didn't break it in right.

[CptnBlues63]

Okay, I bought the humidor, the heartfelt beads, and the distilled water. The Humidor came with instructions that specifically said DO NOT wipe down the humidor with a wet cloth. It said to leave my humidifier in the humidor with a cup of water for 8 hours until the humidor reached 72%. WHAT I DID- I took a tupperware container filled it with about an inch of water and then wet my heartfelt beads and put them in as well. I then left it for 10 hours and the hydrometer now reads 75%. Is this good enough for my humidor? Is it broken in now? because I'd hate to start filling it up with cigars and then watch them go bad just because I didn't break it in right.

I'd say your humidity level may be a bit high. I know from reading here the majority of members keep their humi's in the 65-70% range.

Once your humi stablizes you're good to go. To see if it's stable, take out the cup of water and check about 6 hours later. Do the beads look dried out? Has the humidity level dropped? If yes to one or both, then it's likely the wood is still absorbing moisture. It may take a day or so for it to absorb as much as it is able and your humi to stabilize.

Should you put cigars in before your humi is stable, they'll dry out some as the humidor will suck moisture out of them as well as the beads so I would wait until it stabilizes to load cigars in. If you don't wait until it's stable, you'll end up stabilizing both the cigars and humi. Seems to me it makes more sense to get the humi stable first.

Oh, and its called a hygrometer, not "hydrometer"