cigar smokers(humidor question)

[Kype]

i sure love a nice cigar. i have had a humidor now about a year. in my old place i had no problem maintaining the humidity level between 65 and 75. i recently moved and have changed nothing about the humidor but i am having a hard time keeping it between 65 and 75. i am using distilled water. i even added a little jar ( like for dipping sauce) and filled that with distilled water. still cant keep the humidity up. i also keep my humidor away from sunlight. anyone have ideas? im assuming i should try something else but dont know what.

 

thanks,

kype

[NHBuck]

Did you season the humidor when you bought it? Has it been without moisture for even a day or two over the last year? Buy a sponge (unscented) soak it in the distilled water and wipe down every inch of surface inside the humidor. Re soak and leave the sponge on a small piece of plastic overnight in the humidor. You should be good to go. Some just take more time to season and then maintain. I keep mine between 62 and 65. I re-season mine at least once a year

[Axiom]

eh... it'll stabilize eventually... I use those humidity beads or whatever u call them and paper towels soaked in distilled water in a plastic food container... works good for me...

[jerseyhunter]

how long do cigars stay good in the box once the box is opened?

Edited December 10, 2015 by jerseyhunter

[JHbowhunter]

to season a humidor, you put a bowl of distilled water in it until it's gone... the moisture goes into the wood. Then have at least one or two humidifiers on each level of the humidor, filled with propylene glycol. You can buy or order that humidor solution at JR Cigar.  I have two humidors for 10 years, and never and issue. I do keep them in the basement, away from my dry heat and AC...   The basement has a dehumidifier that is set at 70% humidity, which is ideal. The humidity drops in the winter so you do need that solution inside the humidor.

[Kype]

yes i seasoned the humidor when i got it. JHbowhunter, i will have to look into the propylene glycol. i have always used distilled water, maybe that will help. 

 

could another reason be, i have to many cigars in a humidor? maybe upgrade to a bigger one?

[Kype]

how long do cigars stay good in the box once the box is opened?

form what i read, the longer a cigar sits, the better it gets as long as its kept in ideal humidity. i am fairly new to this so i am not 100% sure

[mikejd]

Do you have forced air heat in your house. If so it may be a constant battle. However as others have said in regards to seasoning, you should not season with cigars in your humidor. You need to season empty then allow time for your humidor to equalize. I used to use all the different methods to try to stay at ideal humidity until someone from another site recommended humidity beads. Now I put humidity beads in a cci mini mag container and just periodically freshen with regular distilled water. You would not believe the consistency I have acquired. Its incredible.

[JHbowhunter]

The glycol solution is designed at the right ratio to automatically keep it at 70% humidity. Again - if you have basement store it there heat and AC are cigar's worst enemy. If you don't use the glycol solution and overdo distilled water - you can get too humid and promote mold. Never use any water other than distilled because you will pick up an odor most likely. I have kept cigars for years and average cigars actually got better. They also pick up more cedar and flavor from other cigars over time. I have kept cigars so well they got the much desired "bloom" which are those little white spots that give it some sweetness. (Not to be confused with mold you don't want that)

[JHbowhunter]

Give me a perfectly aged Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Madurai perfectly aged with a little bloom on it - that's a "10"

[Axiom]

 

propylene glycol

 

 you dont need propylene glycol and you dont have too many cigars in your humidor and you dont need to keep it at 70% humidity..  The percentage of humidity is a matter of personal preference.. I personally like mine at 68% as i like an easier draw .. More humidity makes for a harder draw.. Some cigars more than others..   Just keep adding distilled water and let the humidor stabliize.. keep it in a cooler part of the house or at a minimum out of direct sunlight.. Thats all u need to do.. Not very complicated...

 

 Vista Real From the DR all the way baby..

[Jerseybassnbow]

Forget cedar humidors. Get a plastic Tupperware container and put the humidifier in it or get one of these. Stays good for months.

 

https://www.atgstores.com/products/view.aspx?gclid=CjwKEAiAkb-zBRC2upezwuyguQ4SJADZG08vYNA200E0czj-oQX2o7-SbV5-zIBJ3z-a_w34yh39ThoCvnnw_wcB&sku=6885781&ef_id=VfBU7gAAAGGrHv6k:20151215170631:s

Edited December 15, 2015 by Jerseybassnbow