A little help for a newbie

**Sapper** · 10-10-2005, 08:29 PM

I am sure that these questions have been asked before but please bare with me.

I am a new smoker and have had my 1st humidor for about 6 months now (125 count). I just bought a larger one that I will use for storage. As you can imagine I am in the first humidor daily.

The problem that I am having is that the first cigars that I bought about 6 months ago seem dry( all differnt types.) There is a definate dry cutting sound when I cut them, the wrappers have been peeling from them as i smoke them but the bodys are soft. I have watched the humidity and if my gage is to be trusted it has been at a stable 70.

Any ideas? I have watched the debate about cello or not and am trying both to see if I can find a difference.

Thanks

**TheSilentChamber** · 10-10-2005, 09:04 PM

You need to calibrate the gauge, if you do a search that has been covered many times. What type of humidification device are you using?

**Mazeman** · 10-10-2005, 09:13 PM

After making sure your hygrometer is accurate, there shouldn't be a problem. At 70% humidity, and a reasonable ambient temperature, the cigars should last indefinitely.
So the dryness you feel may be natural (you should be able to hear a fine crackle when you roll the cigar by your ear).
If the cigars are falling apart, it could be due to THEIR quality. What are you smoking?

**MadurosRock** · 10-10-2005, 09:46 PM

As Mazeman said, the dryness might a natural aspect of your cigars.

If the wrapper's pealing from the head while you're smoking, you might have either cut too much off of the cap, or you might have a dull cutter (possibly both). I find a good rule of thumb for cutting is to cut as little as possible. If you look at most cigars, there's a little cap peice that's been glued onto the tip of the cigar, the goal is to try to cut in the middle of that cap, if you cut past it, then there's not much holding the wrapper, and the dampness from your mouth could be causing it to swell and peal.

Also, personally i'm a cello off kinda guy, but either way, you need some exposure to the moister air. If you are keepin' the cellos on, i'd point the open side (you should open them, even if you don't take 'em off) of the cello away from the opening to your 'dor.

And if you can, i'd get a cheap little travel humidor, to keep your next day's smoke in. That way, you only open your larger 'dor's once a day at most.

**SuperChuck** · 10-10-2005, 09:51 PM

You may want to try Heartfelt's humidity beads. They're supposed to be very good at keeping a proper humidity level. And make sure your gauges are correct...

bigpoppapuff · 10-10-2005, 10:20 PM

did you set up the humidor properly,and have you re-set it up since??.......you know you have to do it.......

have you rotated the cigars......

**Sapper** · 10-11-2005, 06:28 PM

First off thank you all for your quick responses.

I will take a look at the calibration of the gage. I am getting a battery operated one in my next shipment of cigars this thur.

For a humidification device I am using a black plastic container about 2 x 6 filled with an absorbant material and filled with fluid I bought from CI. Its a 50/50 mix I believe. I did season the humidor when I got it but have not done anything else to it except add fluid to the box as it drys. I need to reset up the box periodicaly?

I have not rotated my cigars and am unsure what is involved in that. Do you turn them? Move them to another shelf?

The 3 cigars that have had the wrappers peel off this past week where ones I bought about 6 months ago from CI. Gerka Legend, a New Castle and a Partagas Black. The Partagas didnt peel but leaked from the wrapper. I know that this is not many but if there is an issue I want to fix it before I ruin the rest of my sticks.

Thank you for your impute...off to search calibrating the gage...

bigpoppapuff · 10-11-2005, 06:58 PM

i'd set-up the humi again.....just move the cigars around....right to left...up to down....and re-calibrate the gauge......

does it seem like it's closing properly??.....where is it??...etc,etc...