Humidor Question

[CgarDan]

I bought a humidor from Thompson 3 or 4 years ago. 50 count I think. During the past year I have a serious problem controlling both temp and Humidity.

It all started last summer: Temp seemed to rise to mid 80's and stay there without droping. Humidity was in the mid 70's. Later in the fall temp normolized at around 70-73 but humidity started dropping and reached its lowest point around winter at 40. Now the temp is again back in the 80's and Hum only at mid 50's.


Humidor sits on my desk out no direct sunlight. I use 50/50 solution. ( during the winter I got so upset I filled a small glass with this solution and put it in the humidor; result humidity only went up from 40 to 47)

I am completelly confused at this point.

Is it the humidor ( probably the obvious choie ) or something else that I am doing wrong.

By the way read quite a few posts about some "magic" beads that people recommend using. Can anyone please post a link to that product or more info about it.

Any help would be great
Thanks in advance

[Newfie]

Hey Dan.

Sounds like you probably have a sick humidification unit.

Here's the link to the Heartfelt Beads:

http://heartfeltindustries.com/Beads.htm

Order those and if you use 'em right, and if your humi has a good seal, you'll be all set.

Good luck.

Jim

[CgarDan]

Jim, Thanks for such a quick reply !!!!!

[Newfie]

Jim, Thanks for such a quick reply !!!!!

You're very welcome.

PS:

Thank my boss!!

[Monk]

Also check the seal on your humidor. Put a $1 bill across the edge, close the top over it and pull. If it somes right out the seal probably lets out too much air. I have seen people say that it needs to not move, but I have one where the bill it comes out if you tug it hard enough but still keeps a good humidity balance.

-W.

[bluesman455]

Also check the seal on your humidor. Put a $1 bill across the edge, close the top over it and pull. If it somes right out the seal probably lets out too much air. I have seen people say that it needs to not move, but I have one where the bill it comes out if you tug it hard enough but still keeps a good humidity balance.

-W.

are those canadian bills thinner?

[Newfie]

are those canadian bills thinner?

They're thicker than they used to be!!

They're only about 15% thinner now, but 4-6 years ago, they were 60% thinner!!!

[CgarDan]

One thing I got for sure I have to get a new humi

But what can u guys tell me about the temperature getting too high

[bigpoppapuff]

hey dan...did you season the humi when you got it??.......have you re-seasoned it each year?.........


as far as temps are concerned...the humi shouldn't get higher than whatever your room temp is,unless it's near a radiator or in direct sunlight....

[Stryprod]

First off, I am a noob but I will relay what info I have picked up... even though you were picking up 70% humidity b4, you may want to check the device you are using as well because perhpas it has gone bad or is reading incorrectly (just a possibility). I have the same problems with temps and I spent much time measuring temps around my house as well as researching and I was able to find a perfect place. Some guidlines that helped narrow my search were that cold air is heavier and thus you want somewhere low to the ground. Rooms with tile and concrete are cooler than carpeted rooms. North facing rooms recieve the least amount of sun and are cooler... avoid south facing rooms. Windows allow the largest transfer of temperature to occur, so if it is hotter outside, find a room with a small window or if its cooler outside, find a room with a large window. Once you found your two coolest rooms, start looking for cabinets or drawers to get some temp readings as they are usually even cooler than the room and more stable. I am sure some people will recommend a wine cooler or placing the humidor in a igloo cooler as possibilities too. Hope I helped!

[Newfie]

snip....have you re-seasoned it each year?......snip

Really? You have to do that??

[CgarDan]

hey dan...did you season the humi when you got it??.......have you re-seasoned it each year?............

This is actually new to me as well can you please describe in details how this works?

I am def getting a new humi and putting beads in it

Thanks everyone for all your comments

[bigpoppapuff]

if it was never seasoned...it ain't working....and now you must use the search function...

[CgarDan]

if it was never seasoned...it ain't working....and now you must use the search function...

Found a very nice post with pictures for seasoning a humi - I did something vey similar but that was 3-4 years back.

I guess the idea behind re-seasoning is that either the cedar can slowly dry out or hydrometer can go bad with time if not both.

Does the amount of free space in the humi affect how often it should be re-seasoned ? I keep mine at about 50% - easier to see what I have in there this way.

Another question that some other newbies will probably have as well. I read that if different cigars stay in the same humidor they will mary and will not taste the same so the optumum choice is to have I guess 3 humi for mild, medium , and strong cigars.

Is this even that much of an issue in the first place. And for those of us who don't have the resources whether monetary or space wise to accamodate 3 decent humis what is the best solution?


Thanks

[thepyrofish]

The best solution is to put all your cigars in the same humi and not worry. Unless you have any flavoured sticks. Keep those separate.

[bigpoppapuff]

you also should check out the "how can i help " thread...lots and lots of great info....

[thepyrofish]

you also should check out the "how can i help " thread...lots and lots of great info....

Silly me, how could I forget?

[CgarDan]

Was almost ready to throw this one in the trash but decided to do a little experiment first.

I sanded down the inside of the humi, put some insulation tape on the edges to make it really air-proof, seasoned the box for 2 days, put heartgield beads in it and WHOLA

temp is at 72% and hum is at 73% for 3 days straight now

I guess a 50 count humi can always come in handy

Think will use this one for OK quality ( not premium ) cigars and I am almost ready to get this beauty of a humidor for my better sticks

http://www.bandwagonusa.com/index.cf...emdetails&i=36

And for $169 probably is an awesome deal.