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pnoon 07-19-2010 06:48 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian (Post 921590)
Absolutely no reason to throw them away. They say that they cannot be recharged but this is not true. Put the dried out pack in a tupperware container with a small sponge(or piece of a sponge) moistened with distilled water. After 3 or 4 days the Boveda pack should be recharged and ready to use again.

Regarding the disadvantages of only using Boveda packs. They do not absorb moisture as quickly as beads, nor do they have the holding capacity. Boveda packs are a short term solution while beads are long term. :2

Bob is wise. :)

T.G 07-19-2010 07:30 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian (Post 921590)
Absolutely no reason to throw them away. They say that they cannot be recharged but this is not true. Put the dried out pack in a tupperware container with a small sponge(or piece of a sponge) moistened with distilled water. After 3 or 4 days the Boveda pack should be recharged and ready to use again.

Regarding the disadvantages of only using Boveda packs. They do not absorb moisture as quickly as beads, nor do they have the holding capacity. Boveda packs are a short term solution while beads are long term. :2

To add to that...

Don't wait until the pack is crunchy or this might not work.

If you catch the pack when it is just getting thin, you're fine and it'll pump back up quickly.

Chingas 07-19-2010 07:33 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ujponds (Post 921584)
Do you use them like a blanket, off to the sides or attached to the top?

I just put a pack up top and a pack down below. I use 70% and that's just about where it stays.

Chingas 07-19-2010 07:35 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ujponds (Post 921584)
Do you use them like a blanket, off to the sides or attached to the top?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian (Post 921590)
Absolutely no reason to throw them away. They say that they cannot be recharged but this is not true. Put the dried out pack in a tupperware container with a small sponge(or piece of a sponge) moistened with distilled water. After 3 or 4 days the Boveda pack should be recharged and ready to use again.

Regarding the disadvantages of only using Boveda packs. They do not absorb moisture as quickly as beads, nor do they have the holding capacity. Boveda packs are a short term solution while beads are long term. :2

I never knew that. Thanks Brother. You just saved me some serious cash in the future. Much appreciated.

Hoosierguy 07-20-2010 03:30 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I keep having to re-light my cigar. Does this have something to do with the cigar itself or with how I'm lighting it? I've watched countless videos on how to light a cigar and think I'm doing it correctly.

Please advise this newbie!

chachee52 07-20-2010 03:31 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
So I'm heading down to Key West for my honeymoon and can't wait to get some of the cigars down there. I'm hearing there are a bunch of places that roll them right in front of you.
My question is, do you have to let these "age" or can you smoke them right way? I think that I'd go crazy waiting to smoke them if I had to!!

awsmith4 07-20-2010 03:43 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 922437)
I keep having to re-light my cigar. Does this have something to do with the cigar itself or with how I'm lighting it? I've watched countless videos on how to light a cigar and think I'm doing it correctly.

Please advise this newbie!

Most likely its the cigar, it may be too wet.

What many here do is store our cigars at 60-65% rH instead of 70% and this eliminates most of the burn and relighting issues.

A quick fix is to let the cigar "drybox" for a day or two before smoking it. Place the cigar in a unhumidified box for a day or two and it will dry it out enough to smoke.

Another issue I have sometimes is the humidity in the air. I smoke outside a good bit and in GA during the summers it can get a bit humid causing my smokes to not want to stay lit. When this happens I just put up with the relighting, what other choice do I have.

Hoosierguy 07-20-2010 03:49 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by awsmith4 (Post 922444)
Most likely its the cigar, it may be too wet.

What many here do is store our cigars at 60-65% rH instead of 70% and this eliminates most of the burn and relighting issues.

A quick fix is to let the cigar "drybox" for a day or two before smoking it. Place the cigar in a unhumidified box for a day or two and it will dry it out enough to smoke.

Another issue I have sometimes is the humidity in the air. I smoke outside a good bit and in GA during the summers it can get a bit humid causing my smokes to not want to stay lit. When this happens I just put up with the relighting, what other choice do I have.

I'm in Indiana and it's been really humid here. I don't have a humidor yet and thought I'd better smoke what I bought last week before they degrade.

Here is another question. I get the humidor 70% thing but what about temps? I don't have A/C and sometimes it gets pretty darn hot here. Is it ever better to move the humidor into the fridge on a really hot day??

T.G 07-20-2010 04:00 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 922437)
I keep having to re-light my cigar. Does this have something to do with the cigar itself or with how I'm lighting it? I've watched countless videos on how to light a cigar and think I'm doing it correctly.

Please advise this newbie!

Typically a bad light will cause an uneven burn more than it will cause the cigar to go out. You want to light the entire foot fairly evenly and you should be fine. Lighting only a tiny corner, yeah, that could go out easily on you.

Probably more to do with the ambient humidity where you are and how moist the cigar is.

What are you keeping your humidors at?

T.G 07-20-2010 04:04 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by chachee52 (Post 922438)
So I'm heading down to Key West for my honeymoon and can't wait to get some of the cigars down there. I'm hearing there are a bunch of places that roll them right in front of you.
My question is, do you have to let these "age" or can you smoke them right way? I think that I'd go crazy waiting to smoke them if I had to!!

You can smoke fresh rolled cigars. Sometimes they are good to go, sometimes they need time. There really is no set rule.

A lot of it depends on how much age the leaves have before they were rolled. Also, depending on how moist the roller made the leaves when bunching, you mgiht run into a physical burn issue when trying to smoke them fresh.

Buy five. Smoke one. That will tell you right there about that particular cigar blend/size.

T.G 07-20-2010 04:08 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 922449)
I'm in Indiana and it's been really humid here. I don't have a humidor yet and thought I'd better smoke what I bought last week before they degrade.

Likley that is your problem right there. Air is too moist, cigars might also be too moist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 922449)
Here is another question. I get the humidor 70% thing but what about temps? I don't have A/C and sometimes it gets pretty darn hot here. Is it ever better to move the humidor into the fridge on a really hot day??

I've found less burn problems and better flavors at 60%-65% than 70%RH. Oh, and no mold issues either.

Moving the humidor into the refrigerator is probably not a great idea.

Hoosierguy 07-20-2010 08:10 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 922461)
What are you keeping your humidors at?

They are just about a week from the "fancy cigar store". Since then, they've been in a plastic bag but now they are gone (up in smoke if you will).

chachee52 07-20-2010 08:11 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 922469)
You can smoke fresh rolled cigars. Sometimes they are good to go, sometimes they need time. There really is no set rule.

A lot of it depends on how much age the leaves have before they were rolled. Also, depending on how moist the roller made the leaves when bunching, you mgiht run into a physical burn issue when trying to smoke them fresh.

Buy five. Smoke one. That will tell you right there about that particular cigar blend/size.

Thanks. Is it something that etiquette wise is ok to ask the roller?

postjack 07-20-2010 08:59 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I've read a few times around here recently things to the effect of "the glycol/sponge almost ruined my cigars". I keep the vast majority of my sticks in my Edgestar with beads, but do keep a handful of *coughacidcough* cigars in a couple of twenty count humidors, which I use the glycol solution and sponge device to humidify. it does keep the cigars a bit wet, sometime approaching 72%, but it seems to do pretty good. so should I worry?

thanks everyone.

pnoon 07-20-2010 09:04 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by postjack (Post 922743)
I've read a few times around here recently things to the effect of "the glycol/sponge almost ruined my cigars". I keep the vast majority of my sticks in my Edgestar with beads, but do keep a handful of *coughacidcough* cigars in a couple of twenty count humidors, which I use the glycol solution and sponge device to humidify. it does keep the cigars a bit wet, sometime approaching 72%, but it seems to do pretty good. so should I worry?

thanks everyone.

Of course not. They're Acids. ;)
Seriously. You stated "it seems to do pretty good".
Nothing else matters. :2

T.G 07-20-2010 09:18 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
At 72%, I'd start worrying about mold.

postjack 07-22-2010 06:41 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon (Post 922753)
Of course not. They're Acids. ;)
Seriously. You stated "it seems to do pretty good".
Nothing else matters. :2

i didn't say they were Acids! i just coughed. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 922765)
At 72%, I'd start worrying about mold.

right on, i'll keep an eye on 'em then. as of last night they were flying just below the 70% mark.

Hoosierguy 07-22-2010 08:32 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Besides capacity, what is wrong with storing cigars in one of these travel humidors??
http://www.amazon.com/Cigar-Caddy-10...sr=8-2-catcorr

Chingas 07-22-2010 08:35 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 924263)
Besides capacity, what is wrong with storing cigars in one of these travel humidors??
http://www.amazon.com/Cigar-Caddy-10...sr=8-2-catcorr

The short answer...Nothing. That will do just fine.

Whee 07-22-2010 08:41 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 924263)
Besides capacity, what is wrong with storing cigars in one of these travel humidors??
http://www.amazon.com/Cigar-Caddy-10...sr=8-2-catcorr

I started out with travel humi and within three months had a 300ct, 150ct and a cooler.

Travel caddies will do just fine. I had cigars in mine for almost 8 weeks this spring while I was in Indiana and they smoked great.

Don't forget to mosey over to the new inmate section and post a hello, and check out the Monthly Hoosier Herf thread.

Hoosierguy 07-22-2010 08:48 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
What do you gain from a wood humidor over plastic?

kydsid 07-22-2010 09:27 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 924297)
What do you gain from a wood humidor over plastic?

Over time, the spanish cedar used in a wood humidor can lend an effect to the taste of cigars but this takes a long time. Wood humidors are the traditional means simply because spanish cedar and other mahagonies can absorb and release water with little to no warping. This is handy obviously in the use of a humidor. Technology has come a long way in terms of humidification sources, especially in two way sources so that a wood humidor isn't really needed, but is still nice.

Hoosierguy 07-22-2010 07:42 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Thanks for the input. This makes sense. My problem is that the temps in my house vary a lot through the seasons. The only cool place in the house in the summer is the floor of my furnace room (even though that sound contradictory).
I could place the plastic humidor on the floor and not worry about it. I'm afraid that a wooden box wouldn't fair so well on the concrete damp floor.

Chingas 07-22-2010 07:54 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 925090)
Thanks for the input. This makes sense. My problem is that the temps in my house vary a lot through the seasons. The only cool place in the house in the summer is the floor of my furnace room (even though that sound contradictory).
I could place the plastic humidor on the floor and not worry about it. I'm afraid that a wooden box wouldn't fair so well on the concrete damp floor.

Hate to break it to you buddy but your at the Asylum now. Bigger boxes, multiple coolers and vinotemps are in your future weather you like it or not!

waffle 07-22-2010 08:00 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chingas (Post 925099)
Hate to break it to you buddy but your at the Asylum now. Bigger boxes, multiple coolers and vinotemps are in your future weather you like it or not!

Spoken like a true addict.... *written from next the cooler I had to get cuz my 25 and 150 are full after 1 month*

Hoosierguy 07-22-2010 08:23 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I got a new Blazer lighter. What brand of butane should I use. I keep reading "DONT USE CHEAP BUTANE".

Chingas 07-22-2010 08:24 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I use Vector.

markem 07-22-2010 08:25 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 925133)
I got a new Blazer lighter. What brand of butane should I use. I keep reading "DONT USE CHEAP BUTANE".

Vector is very good. If you go to a cooking supply store, you should find it for a decent price as it is used in creme broulee torches (food grade)

waffle 07-22-2010 08:26 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by markem (Post 925136)
Vector is very good. If you go to a cooking supply store, you should find it for a decent price as it is used in creme broulee torches (food grade)

+1 Vector is what I use.

Hoosierguy 07-22-2010 08:36 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Good a consensuses!

Hoosierguy 07-24-2010 01:19 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
What temps should I be storing my cigars at? I know that above 70* is a problem but how about on the low end. How cold is too cold?? What low temps should be avoided?

T.G 07-24-2010 02:01 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierguy (Post 927166)
What temps should I be storing my cigars at? I know that above 70* is a problem but how about on the low end. How cold is too cold?? What low temps should be avoided?

Depends how long you're storing them at a lower temp, but generally, I've found that about anything above mid-50F's is fine for longer storage and being able to just pull one out of the humidor and smoke it.

Chingas 07-24-2010 03:54 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 927186)
Depends how long you're storing them at a lower temp, but generally, I've found that about anything above mid-50F's is fine for longer storage and being able to just pull one out of the humidor and smoke it.

This brothers got serious knowledge. Pay attention when he posts.

As for me, I got a vino at 65 and one at 70. I do my own experiments to see what I like best.

bobarian 07-24-2010 04:24 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chingas (Post 927282)
This brothers got serious knowledge. Pay attention when he posts.

As for me, I got a vino at 65 and one at 70. I do my own experiments to see what I like best.

Please dont feed the animals!

T.G 07-25-2010 02:09 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chingas (Post 927282)
This brothers got serious knowledge. Pay attention when he posts.

Thanks, but make no mistake, there are lots of S/BOTLS here with high levels of knowledge. Sometimes I might be in that catergory, sometimes not.

Chingas 07-25-2010 02:20 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 928172)
Thanks, but make no mistake, there are lots of S/BOTLS here with high levels of knowledge. Sometimes I might be in that catergory, sometimes not.

HosierGuy. Only listen to Adam This time!!!

warren G. 07-25-2010 05:32 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
A quick question...generally how many boxes can you fit in a a coolidor? j/w

Ogre 07-25-2010 05:34 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by warren G. (Post 928382)
A quick question...generally how many boxes can you fit in a a coolidor? j/w

Depends on the size of the cooler!!!!! And the sizes of the boxes

warren G. 07-25-2010 06:00 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogre3239 (Post 928383)
Depends on the size of the cooler!!!!! And the sizes of the boxes

Yeah :( It was a pretty vague question. I'm leaning towards a 150qt and let's said I'm storing boxes no bigger then an Opus X. I got my desktop for storing singles.

Bill86 07-26-2010 10:37 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Ok so I'm looking to start up a humidor and cigars, rather than just buying them and smoking them. So I went to Cheaphumidors.com and I'm looking at buying.....

The Tuscany Humidor, with the cigars they offer + all the options (not to the max but VERY Close) Just not the Cigar Oasis, everything else maxed. $127
Mega and mild sampler - 15 cigars for 40 bucks...it'll help me get an idea of what I like.
Xikar cutter, supposed to be the best I hear? maybe? $38 bucks.

Looking at $204 not shipped...so I don't know what shipped. Advice and comments on my choices?

I usually smoke the same cigar, Sosa's? They are like $6 a shot and apparently a 91 on cigar aficionado.com? That's what my store tells me and I do like them a great deal.


Again if this were knives, guns, beers, bourbons, tequilas or rums I wouldn't need ANY help. But I'm a little new to this enjoyment. Any advice and help is more than appreciated.

Questions like, Does the humidor matter? *what's the difference*? How Do I pick a good one? .....What cigars smoke/taste like Sosa's but are better?

Chingas 07-26-2010 10:38 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Bigger Humi!

Bill86 07-26-2010 10:53 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chingas (Post 929945)
Bigger Humi!

100-120 Cigars isn't enough to START?

Chingas 07-26-2010 10:57 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill86 (Post 929962)
100-120 Cigars isn't enough to START?

You're not safe here. Save yourself the trouble of buying ten of those!

Bill86 07-26-2010 10:58 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Crap please tell me you guys aren't like my knife forums....talking me into a $400 pocket knife O_O

So what humidor should I buy to start?

Chingas 07-26-2010 11:02 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
This should do...

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...s/a18c9f16.jpg

bonjing 07-26-2010 11:09 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
just like buying a gun safe, go bigger than you need, and it still won't be enough room down the line :D

Bill86 07-26-2010 11:09 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chingas (Post 929977)

O_O HOW PERDY......MUST HAVE.....someday....

Bill86 07-26-2010 11:11 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by bonjing (Post 929984)
just like buying a gun safe, go bigger than you need, and it still won't be enough room down the line :D

OH now you're speaking my language....got ya. I own an AR-15, mossberg, and I sold my glock, trying to acquire a new P30 from H&K. I'm only 23 but I've been kinda lucky to enjoy some of life's little pleasures.

But could you please explain humidors and the pro's/cons.....is it literally just size or....what? That's what she said BOOM!

bobarian 07-26-2010 11:19 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill86 (Post 929942)
Ok so I'm looking to start up a humidor and cigars, rather than just buying them and smoking them. So I went to Cheaphumidors.com and I'm looking at buying.....

The Tuscany Humidor, with the cigars they offer + all the options (not to the max but VERY Close) Just not the Cigar Oasis, everything else maxed. $127
Mega and mild sampler - 15 cigars for 40 bucks...it'll help me get an idea of what I like.
Xikar cutter, supposed to be the best I hear? maybe? $38 bucks.

Looking at $204 not shipped...so I don't know what shipped. Advice and comments on my choices?

I usually smoke the same cigar, Sosa's? They are like $6 a shot and apparently a 91 on cigar aficionado.com? That's what my store tells me and I do like them a great deal.


Again if this were knives, guns, beers, bourbons, tequilas or rums I wouldn't need ANY help. But I'm a little new to this enjoyment. Any advice and help is more than appreciated.

Questions like, Does the humidor matter? *what's the difference*? How Do I pick a good one? .....What cigars smoke/taste like Sosa's but are better?

Bill, 100-120 cigars is more than enough to start. But be aware that humidors are always overrated for capacity. If it says 100-150 it typically will hold 80-120 cigars. I dont know what size cigars they use but based on a variety of sizes you can expect your humidor to hold about 2/3 of its rated capacity.
There are many good humidor vendors out there, many have used CheapHumidors with great success. You might want to look at the cigars at CigarsInternational, you can get free shipping on your entire purchase if you purchase the JoeCigar deal of the day.

Invest $20 in a digital hygrometer, Xikar makes a good one. Get a Boveda test kit to calibrate your hygrometer its much easier than doing a salt test.
Also, look into some humidity beads(I use 65% beads from HeartfeltIndustries.com), they are much easier to use than a sponge and PG solution. :2

As far as cigars, its really hard to recommend anything as everyone has different tastes and goes through a discovery process when looking for that ideal cigar. That's half the fun of this hobby/obsession. Enjoy whatever it is you decide to smoke. :tu

Bill86 07-26-2010 11:24 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian (Post 929988)
Bill, 100-120 cigars is more than enough to start. But be aware that humidors are always overrated for capacity. If it says 100-150 it typically will hold 80-120 cigars. I dont know what size cigars they use but based on a variety of sizes you can expect your humidor to hold about 2/3 of its rated capacity.
There are many good humidor vendors out there, many have used CheapHumidors with great success. You might want to look at the cigars at CigarsInternational, you can get free shipping on your entire purchase if you purchase the JoeCigar deal of the day.

Invest $20 in a digital hygrometer, Xikar makes a good one. Get a Boveda test kit to calibrate your hygrometer its much easier than doing a salt test.
Also, look into some humidity beads(I use 65% beads from HeartfeltIndustries.com), they are much easier to use than a sponge and PG solution. :2

As far as cigars, its really hard to recommend anything as everyone has different tastes and goes through a discovery process when looking for that ideal cigar. That's half the fun of this hobby/obsession. Enjoy whatever it is you decide to smoke. :tu

Right on, I figure let's face it, I have MANY other hobbies and addictions, so each one gets it's own budget and whatnot. So even if it holds 75 cigars, that's enough before I start smoking them like a bad habit.

although......http://www.cheaphumidors.com/HUM-300GR.html 300 cigars for $110 isn't a bad price ...and 300 IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.

So I should just get the base ...300 cigar humidor from cheap humidors and the Xizar cutter, where do I order the Xizar hygrometer?


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