humidor beads. do i still need hygrometer?

[victory01]

I was wondering how accurate the beads really are. Would i need a hygrometer still if i kept the beads moist? I have heard they keep great accurancy and need very little maintanence and i wondering if i would save on buying a hygrometer if its guarenteed to hold say a 65% humidity level. I mean as long as i keep them moist it shouldn't be a problem right?

Im brand new at this so sorry for any ignorance. I really appreciate any knowledge past onto me.

-victor

[ReV]

yeah, they're pretty accurate, i keep one extra hydrometer on hand just to occasionally check the rh in my coolidors/otterbox... as long as you have 1 hydrometer and use it to make sure the beads are keeping the rh, you shouldn't have to get a seperate hydro just for whereever you got your beads, but it couldn't hurt. by the way, go post an introduction so we can know who you are.

[hex1848]

Check around your local Wal-Mart. I found a temp/hygrometer combo for less then $3.00 while on one of my late night Wal-Mart trips last week. I bought the last 2 at my local store.

It's made by a company called Springfield and I found it close to the hardware section with the other temprature/humidity guages. Its +/- 5% on the humidity (which seems kind of high) but for $3.00 you can't really go wrong.

[rpb67]

Check around your local Wal-Mart. I found a temp/hygrometer combo for less then $3.00 while on one of my late night Wal-Mart trips last week. I bought the last 2 at my local store.

It's made by a company called Springfield and I found it close to the hardware section with the other temprature/humidity guages. Its +/- 5% on the humidity (which seems kind of high) but for $3.00 you can't really go wrong.

Nice find, I have to check that out.

[dpenix76]

I use 65% beads in my cooler and havent used a hygro for a long time,seems to work out fine.IMHO

[victory01]

im still deciding between 65% and 70%. i would rather have a more moist cigar as it would be easier to dry out if anything. there is a prediction of a really hot summer here in toronto. does the higher temperature usualy raise the humidity level or lower it?

thanks again! i really appreciate all the advice.

[dpenix76]

I started out with 70% beads.I feel like my cigars burn a little better at 65.

[rsanz]

I started with 70 (and still have 3 humidors at 70) but just set my new 100 count up with 65 for my i s o ms.

If I was to start over I'd just stick with 65 ('cause you know you're gonna end up with a bunch of i s o ms sooner or later).

[victory01]

I started with 70 (and still have 3 humidors at 70) but just set my new 100 count up with 65 for my i s o ms.

If I was to start over I'd just stick with 65 ('cause you know you're gonna end up with a bunch of i s o ms sooner or later).

so i should keep cigars at 70 and isom cigs at 65?
is this a hard fast rule? or preference?
im just starting out and dont really have the cash to start up 2 humidors.

thanks

[Kass]

If you wanna save cash set up a coolerdor.

[cigar no baka]

I have one hygrometer for two humidors even though I use beads. I like to check the RH level to see if the beads need a little spritz of distilled water. I use a Diamond Crown hygrometer; it's very pricey but very accurate, to +/- 1%.

[FunkyCold5]

I have one Digital Hygrometer for my Humidor and Coolidor. I mainly keep it in my Coolidor, and move it around to make sure I have 65% in different areas. I'd put it in my humidor if I'm about to add more Distilled water to the beads, just to make sure I don't put too much or too little.

I used to think 70% was a good level for humidity, but after a while, I prefer the burn and taste of the cigar with 65%. Hope this helps.

[victory01]

I have one Digital Hygrometer for my Humidor and Coolidor. I mainly keep it in my Coolidor, and move it around to make sure I have 65% in different areas. I'd put it in my humidor if I'm about to add more Distilled water to the beads, just to make sure I don't put too much or too little.

I used to think 70% was a good level for humidity, but after a while, I prefer the burn and taste of the cigar with 65%. Hope this helps.

thanks! im just setting up my humi. i ordered 70% beads from heartfelt. i duno which i would prefer but i figure i can always let it dry out a lil if anything vs. the other way round.

i do plan on having cubans tho. is it gona be a problem keepin them at 70% or should i build a secondary lil set up just for them at 65%. ive heard a few people state that 65% is best for them and 70% best for other cigars.

can anyone validate this? i dont wana end up damaging any cigars my first go.

thanks

[FunkyCold5]

To each his own. Cigars will not damage if your Humidity is at 65% or 70%. As you smoke more cigars, and start tasting the different flavors and characteristics of each cigar you smoke, you tend to pin-point certain things to improve on your cigar experience.

You will start finding out you prefer a cigar with more humidity, and certain cigars with less humidity. At this point in your cigar-life, you should experiment on what you want out of your own "experience". Keep your cubans (since you are in Canada and it's legal) at 70% and smoke one. If you find that it burns uneven, or having to re-lite the cigar because it burns out a lot, or was too harsh for you, etc, then adjust Humidity and maybe the temperature you have in your humidor.

thanks! im just setting up my humi. i ordered 70% beads from heartfelt. i duno which i would prefer but i figure i can always let it dry out a lil if anything vs. the other way round.

i do plan on having cubans tho. is it gona be a problem keepin them at 70% or should i build a secondary lil set up just for them at 65%. ive heard a few people state that 65% is best for them and 70% best for other cigars.

can anyone validate this? i dont wana end up damaging any cigars my first go.

thanks

[stjohnroe]

I find that I prefer something like 68%, at least that is the humidity that seems to have the best results for me.

I have one reliable hygrometer that i switch between my stashes to identify when things need topping up.