Humidity

[ggiese]

I read about that in the September '98 Cigar Aficionado article. I'm surprised my cigars haven't fallen apart yet, but I guess I'm just lucky sofar. I kinda like the sharp citrus flavor that cigars develop when they're within a degree of the optimum 70rh. On the other hand, I do not like when they fluctuate up to 71, and you get that distinct sweaty sock flavor.

Hmmmm... I've been using a chilled mirror hygrometer for so long now, I actually have not had an issue with flavor. The "citrus flavor" you describe intrigues me, but I'm not risking the possibility my Macanudo's and Acid's could fall apart. That would be very tragic

....Even more interesting... how can one fit one of these in a humidor...

BTW welcome Twotacotuesday :)

Hahahahaha.... Fitting a chilled mirror in a humidor... LOL.

Look - we have to sacrifice if we want to have optimal conditions to store our cigars. I had to give up a part of my garage, and a small portion of my daughter's closet, - and a special filtered power line - but I got my hygrometer installed. If I recall correctly, the entire project was just shy of $20k, but well worth it. I absolutely love it! Works like a charm, and my cigars are incredible. In order to maintain the tightest rH tolerance, I had to scale back my humidor a tad (went from about 1,000 cigars to 250). I can't go back now!

I seriously feel sorry for those using the el-cheapo digital hygrometers. You make a great point in your post - exactly why I switched. And analog hygrometers? How 1700's...

[tc3driver]

Hahahahaha.... Fitting a chilled mirror in a humidor... LOL.

Look - we have to sacrifice if we want to have optimal conditions to store our cigars. I had to give up a part of my garage, and a small portion of my daughter's closet, - and a special filtered power line - but I got my hygrometer installed. If I recall correctly, the entire project was just shy of $20k, but well worth it. I absolutely love it! Works like a charm, and my cigars are incredible. I can't go back now!

I seriously feel sorry for those using the el-cheapo digital hygrometers. You make a great point in your post - exactly why I switched. And analog hygrometers? How 1700's...

My next humidor!
http://www.edgetech.com/moisture-hum...ror-hygrometer

[Twotacotuesday]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Continue to learn every day. Do I have to worry about my cigars falling apart? Is that more of a long time aging issue?

[ggiese]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Continue to learn every day. Do I have to worry about my cigars falling apart? Is that more of a long time aging issue?

You're quite welcome.

As far as the cigars falling apart - it really depends on a number of factors. How long the cigars have been stored as less than optimal rH, the skill of the cigar roller, the type of tobacco used in the cigar, the region the tobacco was grown, etc., etc., etc.

I would say - if you can't afford a chilled mirror hygrometer, stick with the standard issue electronic ones - or in their place - use a analog hygrometer. Since it's very likely you'll not be able to optimal humidity (since you don't have the proper equipment), I would just eyeball it. You know - get it to somewhere around 60-75 rH. I know the cigars won't be as good as if they're sitting on a constant 72, but certainly is you smoke them reasonably soon after you acquire them - they should be very delicious anyway...

Good luck!

[Twotacotuesday]

Do I guess to sum it all up, I have about 25 sticks in my humidor right now. At the rate I smoke them
(and share them) they don't spend a ton of time in my box. So as long as I'm above 60% I should be
ok. That's what I gather. Thanks again. I'm a member of a couple home brewing forums and I can say
This is the friendliest forum so far. Thank again for the help guys.

[ggiese]

Do I guess to sum it all up, I have about 25 sticks in my humidor right now. At the rate I smoke them
(and share them) they don't spend a ton of time in my box. So as long as I'm above 60% I should be
ok. That's what I gather. Thanks again. I'm a member of a couple home brewing forums and I can say
This is the friendliest forum so far. Thank again for the help guys.

Ohhh...those home brewers. They're a drunken lot. Probably suffering a hangover making them crabby. Or perhaps a crash from a hops high...

60 or more is good!

[ggiese]

My next humidor!
http://www.edgetech.com/moisture-hum...ror-hygrometer

Where the heck was that when I installed mine? Damn - I know it's only been a couple of years, but how the heck did they compress my equipment into a hygrometer of that size!!! Impressive!!!

I would suggest it, but likely the wifey will kill me if I come to her looking to buy the smaller version. Of course - my daughter will probably love me more when she gets her closet back, and my son will be thrilled I'll have a garage bay he can park his car. Maybe I can use those two to soften up the wife.