Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

You can get beads (Heartfelt or HCM) shipped to Canada.

The gel in your picture is just OK -- it does not do a great job of regulating RH. It is designed to release moisture slowly and does not absorb the way that beads do.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Michael is being diplomatic because he is a gentleman like that. I will say that the gel is a bad idea. :2

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Yeah I looked. But how are they in terms of shipping charges??? Do they tack on ridiculous duties and stuff too?

The vendors don't tack on duties. Governments do.
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Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Very true.

*Ponders what to do*

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I use USPS to ship to Canada. A small box (holds a little over a pound) costs about $16 to ship to Canada. The next size box costs about $32 (holds about 10lbs).

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

So if I buy the Heartfelt beads or the shilalas beads would I just open up my humi and place them in my humidor as soon as I get them in the mail and that's it? Or do I season the humidor first?

I don't have anything yet and will presumably be ordering my humi from one place and the Heartfelt beads from their website. I'm just a little intimidatied and confused as to what all to be done first or when etc.

I apologize again for if I sound really basic and slow when it comes to this stuff lol. See I'm used to just going into a cigar shop, buying a single stick and smoking it a few minutes later. The fact that so many websites or people suggest so many different seasoning methods (and try to argue about other ones) doesn't help.

*Rolls eyes*

Anywho as for a hygrometer I was thinking of doing with this one if I can get the B&M in Kitchener to order it for me:

http://www.xikar.com/popup_pix.asp?b...l%20Hygrometer

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

No matter what you buy for humidification you need to season your humidor (unless you go with Tupperware or a cooler neither of which need to be seasoned). Beads would be put in your humidor after it has seasoned.

Not sure why you want your B&M to order for you; you can order hygrometers directly from many sites including Xikar, HCM or Heartfelt.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Didn't I try and answer this for you in another thread?

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I recently switched to the HCM beads and have had no problems with my desk top humidors. before that struggled with all the other bars, pucks, foam, etc...

as for seasoning a new humidor this site has many great threads that can wlak you through it. or as with my local B&M, they will season it for you even if you did not purchase it from them. Check your local if you do not want to do this your self.

My first two desk tops The local B&M seasoned for me but, after that i read the forums and did the others my self. its not difficult.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

So season first before putting my beads in eh? Bingo.

As for hopefully trying to get what will be my local B&M to order my stuff after I move, I figure it's just easier that way. I know they can order the Xikar Executive lighter that I may want and have it for me in a day. Even if I have to pay em' a little more, why not?

As for humidifacation, I'm still not sure weather to go with the Heartfelt beads, or this.

http://xikar.com/popup_pix.asp?back=...0Crystal%20Jar

Same thing yes?

With all the different stuff available, it's confusing to know what's what. Last thing I want is to order something I don't need, or forget to order something that I do need.

Believe me, I will be one happy camper when I get my humi and get it all set up nicely. Then my only concern will be getting sticks or wondering which ones to buy. :D

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

The Xikar GEL and Heartfelt BEADS are not the same thing.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Because you've repeatedly told us how limited your budget is?

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Yeah, that been mentioned before as well. Strange.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Thank you for clearing that up. I honestly thought that the Xikar jars had beads in em'. Sorry, like I said I've been confused. So much stuff to purchase, so many options, etc.

;s

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I have the best solution for you, buy a humidor first and then worry about seasoning a humidor. That way it will save you all the confusion. Problem solved! :)

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

True. But I just wanna make sure I buy everything I need to go with the humidor as well. Since I'll be grabbing everything in one shot obviously, I just don't wanna forget anything or buy something extra I don't need by mistake. :)

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Huy's advice is sound.

There is no ready-to-go humidor kit. This hobby takes time, money, patience, and at times, trial and error. If you are looking for instant gratification, you won't find it in cigars.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I know that.

I don't mind spending $ on cigars when I can, or giving cigars months or even a year or two to age nicely in a humidor. I just wanna make sure I know exactly what all I need to buy when I go to buy my humidor is all...

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

You've already been told what you need to know several times in this thread? What we're not sure of is why you keep re-asking the same question? The answer isn't going to change just because you've rephrased the question with slightly a different wording. At the risk of repeating, yet again, the advise already given to you several times in this thread:

There are 2 main types of beads; HCM/Shilala and Heartfelt. Both have guides for the care and use of their products on their websites. Both vendors have a calculator on their websites which will tell you how much of their beads you need for the volume of your humidor. Both also sell digital hygrometers. Just pick one, both are very good products which you'll be happy with.

This is what you need to know:

1. Buy humidor.
2. Buy digital hygrometer & beads.
3. Season humidor; see first post in this thread for the most time honoured method.
4. Add beads and cigars.
5. Allow time (ie. weeks) for humidor to stablize.
5. Monitor RH% and adjust amount of beads over time as required to achieve your desired humidity level.

It really doesn't get any simpler than that. If that doesn't make enough sense or explain it well enough then you're really not going to find the answers you're looking for here.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I have a quick question and forgive me if this has been answered somewhere else. I just bought a used humidor I plan on aging a few boxes of cigars in. I put a dish with disitlled water in it and for three days my hygrometer, which has been salt tested, has registered 67%. The question is: why isn't the number rising? I don't think it has a leak- I tried the flashlight in a dark room test.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Did you read the first post? Seasoning will take 7-14days. This is a process that cannot be rushed. You do not need to open your humidor or look at the Rh for at least a week. Each time you open your humidor you let all the moisture out and slow down the process. :2

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I did read the first post as well as many others. The confusion is because I thought when you were seasoning a humidor the RH went way up and then came down and eventually stabilized. Mine is not going up.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Hey guys, quick question. I've got my bowl of distilled water set up, but I'm wondering how much evaporation should occur. Will I be able to see a noticeable difference in the water level?

Also, I've seen a few people say putting a wet sponge on a plate will let more water evaporate, true or false?

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

The sponge gives you more surface area for the distilled water to release into the air. I didn't notice a huge drop in the water levels and I was seasoning 2 drawers and 2 shelves in my cooler. Obviously, use new sponges and just wait.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Alright, I'm working with a 100 count humidor, just wanted to see if how much water would end up getting sucked up.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

For a 100 count, unless the humidor is leaking like a sieve, I doubt that the change in water level over 7-14 days will be visible to the naked eye. :2

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

+1. The last time I seasoned a 100ct I had a shot glass of water in it for a week and didn't notice any appreciable change in the water level.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Great thanks everyone! Can't wait to get this baby all ready. I've got an order sitting in my cart to load it up!

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Quick question for you guys? I have a new Humidor which I have been seasoning for the past 6 days. I placed two bowls of distilled water in it and a calibrated hydrometer. I opened it today but most of the water is still there and my humidity is at 84% and steady. I live in South Louisiana so high humidity is the norm but the room the humidor resides in is at 76% humidity. Is it possible that the humidor has soaked up all the water it is going to and if so, should I remove the bowls and go ahead and put my Cigars and my Heartfelt 65% RH Beads and Puck 100 in it and see what happens? Any advice would be helpful and appreciated! I have checked the humidor for any leaks with a dollar bill and the bill will not come out when closed under the lid at any spot without quite a bit of pulling effort. Seems there are no leaks.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Go ahead and add the beads, skip the puck for now. Let it sit with your hygrometer for a few days. If it stabilizes you are good to go. Just add your smokes. Humidity may spike for few days after adding cigars, but the beads should stabilize things. Be sure that only about 2/3 of you beads are clear so they can absorb any excess humidity. :2

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

For those of you who use beads -

I picked up some HF 65% beads last week and threw them into my humidor. I was using PG solution prior to this.

Long story short, 2 days later my humidity was at 59%. Thinking perhaps it was my digital hygro that is built into the humidor (no calibration) I went out and bought another digi and calibrated it. It read 60%.

Took out the beads, put back in my PG and over the next day or so it went back up to 68% which is where it was typically staying....

Question is, what do you think in regards to the beads? Perhaps I have a error and received the 60% instead? I did some looking and noticed that I do have a gap in my seal... But why was the PG holding steady?

Over the weekend I went out and bought some aquarium sealant and sealed off around the hygro, glass top and around the seal of the humi with saran wrap to stop it from catching on both sides of the lid, left it open for two days to let the smell leave and now in the middle of re-seasoning.

Trying to debate if I should fire off an email sooner than later to HF industries saying the beads are registering 60% or, if the better portion of you feel it is because of the leaking.

Thoughts?

In regards to the seasoning w/ wipe down. I did this a couple months ago when I received the humidor (directions told me to) and had no ill effects. This time though I decided to not wipe down and just place the bowl in the humi....

My tupperdor though is set up and holding steady. I do not think it has left 70-71% since they went in on Friday!

Final point I want to make is/question - ever since I started buying cigars for keeping them I have picked up OCD... I check them regularly hahaha.. I looked at one last night - at 70% humidity, should you hear a slight crunching noise? I know at 60% I could hear it, and personally I didn't like the taste/burn, but could have been the cigar as well... I have a second one I am wanting to try to see what the difference is in 60% vs 70%, but to me it tasted like burning leaves at 59-60%

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I assume that the crunching noise is when you are smoking the cigar or rolling it in your hand. Ordinarily, I would say that the cigar is dry, but unless I held the cigar I could not say for certain. If the cigar was in your tupperdor (I am assuming since you said 70%) for a short time, then I would say that the cigar was dry and has not had enough time to absorb the right level of humidity.

For the beads, it is possible (maybe even likely) that the humidor is too dry. The PG solution is likely keeping the air 'wet' but the beads are passive, so likely the true reading of your humidor is coming through.

Place a shot glass of distilled water in the humidor and see how things go for a week or more. If you have room to use a wider vessel, use that. Using a sponge is also good, but you have to be careful that it doesn't have any mold, cleaners, etc. in it.

You can also do a salt test like you do for calibration. Put the salt and water solution in a tupperware container with a hygrometer. Wait 24 hours for all to stabilize. Now add the beads and see what happens. You should see the humidity trying to move to the set point of the beads. Check every hour or two for at least 6-10 hours and run the test for at least 24 hours. If the humidity is diving way low, then you may have gotten beads with the wrong set point and thus should contact the vendor to see about instructions for resetting the point.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

The salt test will not damage the beads in any way?

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

No. You are not putting the salt on the beads, merely placing them in a container with water saturated salt. The salt mixture should be at 70% after a while (can take a day or so). Personally, I would put the mixture in a sealed container in the evening and begin testing in the morning.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Another question regarding seasoning

Reseasoned my humidor over the last 8 days and have a reading of 69% which it has stayed at for two days now.

Is this considered seasoned even though it has not broke 70%?

I am in ontario so it is not the most humid area at the moment. Last week I think it was sitting at about 35% when I had the lid open on the humidor to let the sealant cure.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

There is no difference between 69 & 70% in this situation, imo. Sounds like it's steady and ready to load up so go for it!

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Looked this morning with another hygrometer place at the bottom of my humi and it is reading 65%.... Not a big humidor (50ct and only like 4" deep)

I am going to confirm the hygrometer and salt test it for a third time this evening.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

I am getting a bit frustrated now with this seasoning thing.

I am blaming it on some leaks which angers me that much more that such a pos was sold to me after specifically explaining what I was after.

Took out the water and within 4 hrs it is down to about 62%.

This is after 9 days of re-seasoning and was reading 69-70% for the last two days.

This weekend I am going to seal all joints inside and outside with the sealant and also pick up some foam gasket for around the edge. Then do the seasoning all over again.

Angers me when I spend 150.00 for a piece of crap 50ct humidor, when if mentioned easily would have spent another 50.00 for no hassle. How much does a decent one cost online? Would be interested now in a 100-200 count. I may just go that route and use a cooler for the time being....

/end rant.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

IMHO Painters tape is better than foam tape for the edge.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

For sealing the seams make sure you get odorless food grade silicone, you can usually find it at wood working places, home depot, lowes, etc.,

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Aquarium grade silicone will also work and might be easier to find.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Hopefully, you can fix your humidor. It's possible the humidor sealed pretty well when built/assembled. When humidity was added maybe things moved/changed.

In the event that you want something a little higher quality, you may want to contact waxingmoon. He routinely posts pics of his humidors. Just scroll through the accessories forum for his posts or check out his website for more. No idea what they cost and I don't have one. I just know quality when I see it. :2

http://www.waxingmoonhumidors.com/

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

http://www.waxingmoonhumidors.com/

also (athough they are cabinets and not small desktops):

http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/
http://www.avallohumidors.com/

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Aristocrat makes desktop humidors as well.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Update - I went out and tried the painters tape and now have a solid seal (so it seams- pun intended)

Now have to use two hands to open it, but I don't think I have to worry about a leak anymore!! Hehe

I'm thinking after a month or so it will compress a bit and will get easier to open.

Wish I went with the painters tape from day 1. Took me a solid 40 minutes to cut and sand the silicone bead out I made to seal it.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

Question about this procedure ... 7-14 days is a big window.. What is the criteria for being done within that time frame.. For example, after 7 days if the humidity is above xx%? Or something like that

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

It's not an exact science. give it 10 days. Make sure you have calibrated your hygrometer. After 10 days, go ahead and load her up. RH will drop due to the cigars sucking up some moisture.

What method will you be using to maintain your desired RH?

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

That's what I was thinking.. Shoot for the middle... I've already hit 79% humidity. I have a caliber 4r that is right on the money.. This is a new humidor.. My previous humidor I seasoned to 70% and let it hold for 24 hours.. No problems with it but just wanted to try this method.

I will be using 70% beads from CHeaphumidors.

Re: Properly Seasoning a New Humidor
 

As long as you are happy with 70% RH, you're good to go.

Many, like me, prefer 63-65%. All that matters is if you are happy with how your cigars are smoking.