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And at what RH level will I know that my Tupperdor is ready??

It's at 74% RH now.

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A seasoned humidor should hold a steady RH for at least 24 hours, preferably 48 hours before adding your cigars.

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Being plastic tupperware, ti's probably fine now. Once you add your cigars and boveda packs, give it a week to stabilize.

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To answer an earlier question, always use distilled water for everything.

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Due to another ridiculously high heatwave here in Kitchener, my poor 7L Klip-It tupperdor was sitting at like 85F according to my hygrometer yesterday despite being at 65% RH.

Now I know 85F is insanely hot for my tupperdor and my sticks and I needed to cool it down. Worst of all, I live in an apartment with no A/C as I've said before.

So based on the advice from another BOTL, yesterday I grabbed a Coleman cooler and a few of those Rubbermaid blue ice block thingies and put my tupperdor in the cooler with the ice blocks (once I froze them) to try and cool it down.

So I put 3 of the frozen ice block things in my cooler this morning and I checked them a few minutes ago.

I'm sitting right now between 73-74F but my hygro says I'm at 59% humidity despite my using 65% Bovedas.

Should I be worried??

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You will be fine. Keep the RH good and it'll all be ok. Relax and have a cigar

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When should I begin to worry about my RH as I'm at 58% now

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It get's hotter than 85 where the leaves are grown and rolled. The issue with it being too hot is beetle eggs hatch in higher temps. There are many threads about that here, a few sticks in a tupador probably would have been fine without putting frozen chem packs in with them, or if you were really worried you could have put the tupador in the fridge (sealed of course), that is if it fit (phrasing).

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If it dips below 50%. I know some cigar folks who prefer 58-60% RH. I target 63%.

The real test is "Are you happy with the way your cigars are smoking?" If the answer is yes, don't worry about the number.

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Yep!! Hail, if you are very new to cigars, the best advice I can give is to not over think the humidity/temp.

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Gotcha.

So a little while ago, I went to swap out the new not as cold ice blocks from yesterday morning in my cooler with the other 3 that I had freezing in my freezer yesterday (to get them ready to alternatively swap out once they froze).

When I swapped them out, I noticed a bit of fog/condensation and water droplets on the inside corner of the side my tupperdor. Was this just because the ice blocks have been stacked beside it?

I assume it's nothing to worry about right as my tupperdor is a 7L Klip-It with a very good seal. I opened it up, wiped it off with a tissue and sealed it back up. Should I be worried about condensation getting in there as I have 2 Spanish trays in my tupperdor...my bottom one being currently empty aside from a Boveda and the top one is the one I'm using for my sticks right now, another Boveda pack, and my hygro.

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I would make sure that the ice blocks are not touching your tupperdore -- the condensation can cause problems unless you have some beads to absorb it.

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The condensation in your 'dor is being caused by the cold blocks you put in. If the air or any of the surfaces in your 'dor get below 15 or 16 C, they will get condensation on them. It's the same principle as morning dew on the grass. When you get that sweat condensation, it's pulling water out of the air. So, that's why you saw your rH drop too.

I agree with other who said you shouldn't obsess on temperature. It'll be alright as long as you keep your humidity control devices going.

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Thanks for the info friends.

Based on that, I rearranged my blocks by stacking them on top of each other in the corner of my cooler so that they are not touching my tupperdor anymore. I then took a few Ziploc freezer bags, folded them, and put them in the space between my Tupperdor and the blocks in my cooler as kind of like a little condensation/melting mess barrier thingie.

I'm at 72F and 59% RH at the moment. I'm just beyond happy that my sticks and Tupperdor are actually at a normal temperature now lol. And I'm sure that if I add more sticks, my RH will go up. Which will be easy as I have an order of cigars on its way to me as we speak.

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Well last week I placed my first ever online order with CP and today it arrived:

http://i65.tinypic.com/k2yeqo.jpg

:)

The sticks are now in my Tupperdor. But how do I use the travel humi??

I assume I can remove the cardboard inserts on top of the cedar linings (that tell you what each cigar in the sampler is) inside the humi right??? But then do I need to season it or anything???

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Is that like a sampler pack deal with some sticks in a humi that's made to hold them? Does it' have foam inserts or something to hold the sticks? I'm sure you can take the cardboard out, seems that was if you were going to keep the sticks in that box, as far as seasoning, I think for most travel humidors you can just toss some beads or a humi pack in there and it will be fine.

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It had thin disposable plastic thingies to hold each stick during transport from the manufacturer to the B&M/people's homes I assume.

http://i68.tinypic.com/vpw8cl.jpg

See?

And yes it's the CAO Champions II sampler of 10 CAO sticks plus the travel humi

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Is anywhere from 71-75.5F a good temperature for my Tupperdor if I have it in a cooler with some ice blocks due to my apartment having no A/C???

My RH will be anywhere from 60-65% as I'm using 65% Bovedas

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Yes that is a fine temperature, you just don't want it soaring pas the 80s.

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So I just smoked and really enjoyed a CAO Colombia Magdalena (which was also my first torpedo cigar I've had) but I noticed on one part of the stick there were a few little brown-ish black dots (kinda like freckles or acne) on the wrapper.

What were they? Mold? Waterspots?? Should I be concerned as I smoked the entire stick to the nub since it was so delicious.

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Most likely nothing to worry about -- next time take a pic and post it so that we can get a better idea of what they might be.

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Morning inmates. So I ran into a situation the other day that had me scratching my head. Stopped by our local B&M (I take pause to actually call them that because of the other paraphernalia they sell). Anyway, spent 10 minutes in their walk-in looking at various cigars when I noticed the digital hydrometer read 74. Needless to say, I didn't buy anything but should I have said something to the fella behind the counter or leave it alone? Thanks. -(P

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That's a difficult one to give a general answer for. It doesn't hurt to say anything, but it's hard to say what kind of response you will get when you do. Some owners/clerks do care, some don't know or don't care, others are clinging to the "70/70" fallacy. And of course there are external factors that might be causing a temporary 74 reading and things are actually ok in there, and you glanced over at that moment.

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Adam is correct. It could also be a case where the 74% digital readout actually means 68% because the hygrometer is off and cannot be adjusted. Lots of reasons good and bad for that reading...

You could say something like "I noticed that the hygrometer is reading 74% relative humidity. Is that what you keep your cigars at?" Asking a question rather than implying anything wrong is often the safest way to go.

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Mailman brought me another variety of cigars this morning. Was so looking forward to trying this single Baccarat stick. Just toasted it up after supper and it's so loose it's like drawing air thru a straw. Can't hardly keep it lit & it seems to be burning down small pathways along parts of the wrapper. Ended up pitching it. So what would cause such a loose draw? I assume just a loose/poor roll. Oh well, will buy another later and try again. Spose that happens from time to time. -(P

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It could be that the tobacco is dry -- you might try to store the remaining cigars in your humidor for a while and try one again in a few months.

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Yep, what Michael said. I order a lot of sticks online and I always try to let them rest in my humi for at least 30 days before trying one in order to let them acclimate to my preferences.

Sometimes I've even patient enough to make it the whole 30 days. ;)

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I got some El Principes in today and waited almost 15 minutes. :D

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oh aged! :tu

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As a relative newb, I don't yet have an aged inventory of cigars. Seems as I get new cigars (like the Baccarat) I can't wait 30 days before trying it. I'm with Tom here, 15 minutes sounds about right. -(P

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I almost always try one from a box "Right Off The Truck (ROTT), Robb, sets a benchmark so I'll know if they're improving, or hitting a sick period, etc., as times goes by.

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So I finally figured out how to retrohale yesterday (woohoo) but had yet to decipher any additional nuances and flavours from the stick I finally "got it" and learned with. It was a CAO Lx2 Toro

Now was I unable to pick up additional flavours from my stick through my nose because my pallet to begin with is still unrefined as a noob...and I've just just figured out retrohaling??? Like do I need to retrohale more to "train" my nose over time??

Also for what it's worth, I've smoke cigarettes (though am trying to quit) for 17 years so could that also be why no other flavours jumped out at me?? Like could my tastebuds be already too fried to the point that retrohaling a stick wouldn't make much of a difference for me??

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Ok, sitting w two guys after hours drinking fine score and good cigars at my BnM. My bd present a day late, but I very drank some great scotch and whiskeys-one guys a distributor for Glenlivet. I'm having a ball. Smoking new cigars Flor de Las Antillas, San LaTano Oval and Alec Bradley Post embargo. BOTL is a culture.

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No, I wouldn't say that your taste buds are fried. People are all different. Some can taste everything and pick up subtle flavors, others can't.

I fall in, the can't.

I mainly smoke at HERFS, about once a month, and I still only really pick up flavors that are more pronounced. I wish I could pick up on all the subtle flavors and be able to describe them, but I'm not really able too. I still fall under basic category's; eww, not bad, good, hella good, OMG this is really good and where can I get this :D

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:tpd:

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How long do Bovedas generally last in a tupperdor before I should change them???

Basically I have two Spanish cedar trays stacked on top of each other in my 7 litre Klip-It tupperdor container with one 65% Boveda in each tray. My top tray is full of sticks and the bottom tray has 1 stick in it.

However my hygro hasn't been going anywhere over 58% RH for awhile even though I just added 6 more sticks from my local B&M to my top tray this past Friday.

Yet neither of my Bovedas feel dry or crunchy. What gives??

Also for what it's worth if this matters any, my tupperdor is inside a Coleman cooler with 3 of those refreezable ice block thingies to keep my cigar temperature between 67-72F according to my hygro since I live in an apartment with no A/C and our superintendent turned the heaters on for winter now. The ice blocks aren't touching my tupperdor though.

Should I switch to 69% Bovedas for awhile?? With winter coming soon I probably won't be smoking much now...if anything, until next spring as I smoke outside.

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That is your problem Ice packs will create condensate and that water has to come from somewhere. Maintaining a low temp is not necessary. Only constant temps above 70-72 could lead to a problem. Ditch those packs!

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Also did you season the cedar trays?

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Now that winter has reared its ugly head, and our temps will begin to plummet to readings well below zero should my days of ordered sticks (being delivered via USPS or UPS) be halted? Even our RH hovers between 40-50 in the winter and the normal 5-7 days transient time concerns me. -(P

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Without the ice packs though, the temperature in my room where I store my sticks will hit over 80F easily.

That's why I bought the cooler and ice packs to try and cool everything down in the first place (as per the advice of another BOTL)....as we either don't have A/C in the summer, or our heaters are on in the winter.

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Of course

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I've always been more concerned about RH than temperatures. Finished cigars sit in high temps alll the time during transport from the manufacturer with no or little problems.

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Cigars are very resilient. They will be fine for 5-7 days.

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Update on my potential conundrum: I'm thinking about either switching out my Bovedas to two other brand new 65% ones that I have here, or recalibrating my hygrometer if I have to.

Although I'm 99.9% sure my hygrometer is fine as I calibrated it with one of those Boveda calibration kits when I got it in August and all was well. And no my trays have been in my tupperdor since I seasoned them when I made this first tupperdor of mine back in August as well.

Hmmmm....

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Update: Well I haven't switched out my now melted refreezable ice blocks (they are a few inches away from my tupperdor and not touching it, as usual...in my cooler) for my other frozen ones as I'm at like 69.5F right now.

My RH is now at 61% according to my hygrometer right now.

Hmm...

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Ok, back to the beginner questions thread...ordered my first box of cigars last week (Monte's crafted by AJ Fernandez), received them this afternoon. Now, do I open the sealed box and put them in my humi to rest for two weeks OR can they rest the two weeks in the original box (outside of the humi)? Room RH hovers in the low 50's. Thanks. -(P

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Low 50s, while not ideal, will be fine for 2 weeks.
Putting them in your humidor at your preferred RH is even better.

:2

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I will add just a little to what has already been stated which is don't worry about the cold for transport as it's short but here is my addition.

Many on this board will deep freeze cigars to ensure no tobacco beetle eggs survive and the cigars taste and smoke just fine. Consider sub-zero transport helping ensure your cigars are beetle free. I jest a bit on beetle free but I'm sure you can see that deep freezing has not harmed the avid collectors supply or they would be the first to complain.

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Thanks Dave & Peter for your insight and advice. Appreciate it. -(P

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^^This