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-   -   Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!) (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1754)

T.G 06-28-2011 09:09 PM

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

Originally Posted by Whiskeytown (Post 1316033)
So was it weather, a cigar that was just too moist, or even a combination of both?

Probably a bit of both. If you get your humidor down closer to 65RH and you'll likely have less burn problems, although when you're smoking in 90%-100% humidity air, things can easily go awry.

Whiskeytown 06-28-2011 09:27 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
In a related question, when you guys pick a cigar to smoke how long before lighting up do you remove it from the humidor? Is it a good idea to do a "rest" stage between removal and smoking to allow any surface moisture to dissipate?

T.G 06-28-2011 09:59 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Opinions vary, but I've found that unless you are in an extreme climate, leaving it out of the humidor for a short period of time won't change anything, so it really doesn't mater. You can take it out and light up right away, as typically it would take a day or more to give off a significant amount of moisture.

Cornrow_Wallis 06-28-2011 10:29 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
If your cigars are too wet for your tastes you can always dry box them for a day or two to bring the humidity down, might help with the burn problems.

longknocker 06-29-2011 04:14 AM

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

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 1316054)
Probably a bit of both. If you get your humidor down closer to 65RH and you'll likely have less burn problems, although when you're smoking in 90%-100% humidity air, things can easily go awry.

:tu I Have The Same Problem In Mobile. When You Store @ 65RH & Smoke In 95-100% Humidity, Cigars Absorb The Moisture, Taste Harsh & Burn Awful!:sad

Whiskeytown 06-29-2011 07:13 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
thanks guys.

i know it says to wait 24+ hours before making a final reading during a salt test but how long does it truely take to equalize inside the airtight bag?

T.G 06-29-2011 07:41 AM

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

Originally Posted by Whiskeytown (Post 1316493)
thanks guys.

i know it says to wait 24+ hours before making a final reading during a salt test but how long does it truely take to equalize inside the airtight bag?

Depends on the volume of the bag and how dry the air was when you started, but you should be seeing something pretty close to the final reading after about 8 hours.

Blak Smyth 06-29-2011 07:46 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I bought a new humidor and the analog hygrometer will not read above 45 after 5 days.
I have put it in my neighbors humidor that is stable at 69.
He has an analog and a digital meter reading 69-70.
If mine still only reads at 45 after two days in his humi should I be able to recalibrate it to the 69-70 that his units read?

I will get a digital unit but can't afford it this week.

jesseboston81 06-29-2011 07:51 AM

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

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth (Post 1316515)
I bought a new humidor and the analog hygrometer will not read above 45 after 5 days.
I have put it in my neighbors humidor that is stable at 69.
He has an analog and a digital meter reading 69-70.
If mine still only reads at 45 after two days in his humi should I be able to recalibrate it to the 69-70 that his units read?

I will get a digital unit but can't afford it this week.

Analog hygrometers generally are not able to be recalibrated, so until you get something else you'll just have to remember the difference that yours is off by--which sounds like 24-25.

Edit: If you've salt tested your analog hygrometer and it reads 45 even in the salt test (in other words, it reads 45 no matter what the ambient RH is), then you have a more serious problem of a hygrometer that is broken and not just inaccurate. In that case, get a digital hygrometer as soon as you can.

T.G 06-29-2011 08:05 AM

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

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth (Post 1316515)
I bought a new humidor and the analog hygrometer will not read above 45 after 5 days.
I have put it in my neighbors humidor that is stable at 69.
He has an analog and a digital meter reading 69-70.
If mine still only reads at 45 after two days in his humi should I be able to recalibrate it to the 69-70 that his units read?

I will get a digital unit but can't afford it this week.


You can check on the back of the hygrometer for a recessed screw, usually a standard slot head, that you can turn to adjust the reading, although, in reality, a large percentage of the cheap analog hygrometers that come included with humidors are junk and not even worth worrying about. Not all are bad, there are some very accurate analog ones out there, just they seem to be far and few between - and typically confined to the more expensive humidors.

You can pick up a decent, reliable hygrometer for about $8 at wal-mart believe it or not. The AccuRite 00613.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

They are a little on the large side though, so if space is at a premium, they might not work for you.

There is another hygrometer at wal-mart that is about a buck less, it's a small white one, looks like a kitchen timer - very hit and miss. They used to be decent, now, they seem to just be junk. Make sure you salt test whichever one you get.

Blak Smyth 06-29-2011 08:08 AM

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

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 1316542)
You can check on the back of the hygrometer for a recessed screw, usually a standard slot head, that you can turn to adjust the reading, although, in reality, a large percentage of the cheap analog hygrometers that come included with humidors are junk and not even worth worrying about. Not all are bad, there are some very accurate analog ones out there, just they seem to be far and few between - and typically confined to the more expensive humidors.

You can pick up a decent, reliable hygrometer for about $8 at wal-mart believe it or not. The AccuRite 00613.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

They are a little on the large side though, so if space is at a premium, they might not work for you.

There is another hygrometer at wal-mart that is about a buck less, it's a small white one, looks like a kitchen timer - very hit and miss. They used to be decent, now, they seem to just be junk. Make sure you salt test whichever one you get.

Yes, I have an adjuster screw on the back of my analog hygrometer.
I did not know I could get a digital at Walmart. Very good info thanks.

Blak Smyth 07-12-2011 08:15 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
can you write a date on cello with a permanent marker?

CigarNut 07-12-2011 08:17 AM

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

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth (Post 1333492)
can you write a date on cello with a permanent marker?

I would not recommend it -- cello is permeable and any ink could soak through to the wrapper.

You can buy blank cigar bands and use those. There are many kinds and even some that you can stick in a printer if you are so inclined...

MrOneEyedBoh 07-12-2011 08:18 AM

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

Originally Posted by CigarNut (Post 1333493)
I would not recommend it -- cello is permeable and any ink could soak through to the wrapper.

You can buy blank cigar bands and use those. There are many kinds and even some that you can stick in a printer if you are so inclined...

There is also an excel file floating around here that will allow you to put the marca and type, date and size on a nice little band. Ive used it and its great.

NCRadioMan 07-12-2011 09:55 AM

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

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth (Post 1333492)
can you write a date on cello with a permanent marker?

I have done it for years with no problems using a Sharpie. If you don't wan't to do that, I have also written the date on the cap of the cigar itself with a fine Sharpie with no ill effects.

Whiskeytown 07-14-2011 01:39 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
The last few mornings i've woken up to my humidor sitting at roughly 66F/74RH and by the time I get home from work it's back to about 68F/69RH. anyone know what the big swing in RH is caused by? Is this natural in the summer?

jesseboston81 07-14-2011 01:47 PM

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

Originally Posted by Whiskeytown (Post 1336284)
The last few mornings i've woken up to my humidor sitting at roughly 66F/74RH and by the time I get home from work it's back to about 68F/69RH. anyone know what the big swing in RH is caused by? Is this natural in the summer?

What is the seal on your humidor like? Does the ambient RH in the room where the humidor is kept rise at night and fall during the day?

Blak Smyth 07-14-2011 02:35 PM

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

Originally Posted by Whiskeytown (Post 1336284)
The last few mornings i've woken up to my humidor sitting at roughly 66F/74RH and by the time I get home from work it's back to about 68F/69RH. anyone know what the big swing in RH is caused by? Is this natural in the summer?

Im just relieved to learn I am not the only one that checks my humidor that often.

Tbagley 07-14-2011 05:02 PM

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

Originally Posted by Whiskeytown (Post 1336284)
The last few mornings i've woken up to my humidor sitting at roughly 66F/74RH and by the time I get home from work it's back to about 68F/69RH. anyone know what the big swing in RH is caused by? Is this natural in the summer?

I wish I could down to 66 degrees without the use of a refrigerator. You using beads or....?

Whiskeytown 07-14-2011 07:19 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
The humidor is kept in my spare bedroom/office of my condo. It's the coolest room in the condo and we like to sleep cold so at night we set the AC down to 70. During the day while at work we set the AC to 76-77, but it being the coolest room it stays around 74.

The seal on my humidor is great, i thought, i get a nice *whoosh* each time i close it. I'm sitting next to it now and it's at a comfortably 70/70

inphiniti 07-18-2011 03:27 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Is a CAO Sensi-Box really has bad as everyone(well, google reviews that is) make them seem? Anyone have one? I just picked one up for $20 to hold my cigars for the time being to see if this is something i really want to get into rather than wasting $50+ on a good Humidor... Any suggestions?

pnoon 07-18-2011 03:31 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I don't see spending money on a good humidor as a waste of money. On the contrary, it's an investment.
Posted via Mobile Device

NCRadioMan 07-18-2011 04:16 PM

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

Originally Posted by pnoon (Post 1341339)
I don't see spending money on a good humidor as a waste of money. On the contrary, it's an investment.
Posted via Mobile Device

Agreed. Besides saying that wasting $50 on a good humidor is a contradiction in and of itself. ;)

I have one. It holds rh perfectly at 45% and will not get any higher. Wanna go cheap? Get some Gladware or a cooler.

area51 07-18-2011 04:37 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Check out cheap humidors.com and thank me later.

Blak Smyth 07-19-2011 05:00 AM

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

Originally Posted by area51 (Post 1341400)
Check out cheap humidors.com and thank me later.

That is CI's sister brother website!?! I always check prices there before ordering online.

area51 07-19-2011 08:46 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I don't believe that it is owned by CI but I could be wrong.

Blak Smyth 07-19-2011 08:59 AM

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

Originally Posted by area51 (Post 1342114)
I don't believe that it is owned by CI but I could be wrong.

Nevermind that was Humidor.com I was talking about;s

It works for me becasue it is the only CI site I can access while at work.

area51 07-19-2011 09:07 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Haha but yeah cheaphumidors.com is my go to best price and selection IMO. I try to stay away from CI, I dislike them as a vendor /rant.

Blak Smyth 07-19-2011 09:15 AM

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

Originally Posted by area51 (Post 1342140)
Haha but yeah cheaphumidors.com is my go to best price and selection IMO. I try to stay away from CI, I dislike them as a vendor /rant.

I don't have any issues to date with CI, however I can't access many cigar sites from work. Humidors.com is about the only one.

inphiniti 07-19-2011 11:10 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I don't it came out right... I didn't necessarily mean wasting money, just however since I'm fairly new into.the whole cigar thing, I don't want to drop $50+ on a little humidor. If I do feel this.is something I want to do, I will absolutely spend the necessary coin on a great humidor...

Thanks for the replies guys. I saw a ton of mixed reviews about the CAO sensibox.

area51 07-19-2011 11:27 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Welcome to the forum anywho

inphiniti 07-19-2011 04:25 PM

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

Originally Posted by area51 (Post 1342303)
Welcome to the forum anywho

thanks! ill definitely try the sites you mentioned once i know ill be sticking around for some time :D

irratebass 08-23-2011 09:16 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
I just received my new humi from Thompson's humidor/sample offer....they sent me a 20ct humi and 25 smokes, is this too many for my humidor? Or am I just over thinking it?

I wished I would have sent with cheaphumidors.com now, they have much better deals, oh well live and learn I guess.

Blak Smyth 08-23-2011 09:23 AM

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

Originally Posted by irratebass (Post 1383220)
I just received my new humi from Thompson's humidor/sample offer....they sent me a 20ct humi and 25 smokes, is this too many for my humidor? Or am I just over thinking it?

I wished I would have sent with cheaphumidors.com now, they have much better deals, oh well live and learn I guess.

Smoke 5, problem solved.:r
From what I understand you can keep the extras in tupperware for a few days if they won't fit in the humidor.

T.G 08-23-2011 09:24 AM

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

Originally Posted by irratebass (Post 1383220)
I just received my new humi from Thompson's humidor/sample offer....they sent me a 20ct humi and 25 smokes, is this too many for my humidor? Or am I just over thinking it?


The size ratings of humidors are estimates and not all of them are based on the same size cigars.

Put your cigars in and see how they fit. You don't want it completely stuffed, but if it's mostly full, then you're ok.

If you can't put them all in, get a tupperware container and stick the excess in there until you smoke them.

irratebass 08-23-2011 09:31 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
They actually fit in there ok, in fact I could probably put another 7-10 sticks in there and still be ok.

Thanks guys!

gbum 08-25-2011 12:31 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Hi,
hope anybody can help me on these matter;
when it come to choose a wine chiller to be our cigar storage...is there any particular thing that we need to consider beside size and design... like do we need to consider between thermoelectric and compressor system?is that really matter in order to keep cigars?

thanks

Bill86 08-25-2011 12:52 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Thermoelectric is preferred. I believe it was Scott (Shilala) that had a compressor conversion thread up somewhere though.

area51 08-25-2011 04:20 PM

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

Originally Posted by gbum (Post 1386907)
Hi,
hope anybody can help me on these matter;
when it come to choose a wine chiller to be our cigar storage...is there any particular thing that we need to consider beside size and design... like do we need to consider between thermoelectric and compressor system?is that really matter in order to keep cigars?

thanks

Go with thermo electric if your going to put beads in the wine cooler. BUT with that said, I have a compressor with tupperwear that slides perfectly in the rack slots. I keep a thing of beads and each and it's perfect. The prime reason for buying mine however was to control temp and this does it perfectly.

sacsmitty 09-15-2011 10:13 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Long time lurker, first time post.

I recently met a guy that had a Xikar VX V Cutter. I cut my cigar with it and instantly fell in love. I'm not having a lot of luck finding places to buy one online.

Any recommendations?

icehog3 09-15-2011 10:31 AM

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

Originally Posted by sacsmitty (Post 1409389)
Long time lurker, first time post.

I recently met a guy that had a Xikar VX V Cutter. I cut my cigar with it and instantly fell in love. I'm not having a lot of luck finding places to buy one online.

Any recommendations?

http://www.amazon.com/Xikar-VX-V-Cut.../dp/B004G6XJYS

http://neptune-cigars-inc.amazonwebs...source=froogle

http://www.cigarking.com/xikar-vx-gun-metal-v-cutter/

http://www.atlanticcigar.com/Cigar-C...pping&aff=5112

http://www.elighters.com/xi155gm.html

irratebass 09-15-2011 10:50 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
That's an expensive cutter imo.

irratebass 09-15-2011 11:03 AM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Only 1 penny!! Not a Xikar though
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cart/view-u...JMM52SN0E1%2C1

sacsmitty 09-15-2011 11:50 AM

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

Originally Posted by irratebass (Post 1409422)
That's an expensive cutter imo.

Yeah, it is and I tend to be a cheap bas***d but wow does it do a nice job cutting a cigar. :)

T.G 09-15-2011 12:03 PM

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

Originally Posted by sacsmitty (Post 1409463)
Yeah, it is and I tend to be a cheap bas***d but wow does it do a nice job cutting a cigar. :)

Then get a Wolf V-Cutter. It has the same blade, as in exactly the same from the same knifemaker, Wolfertz, as the Xikar XV, just comes in a plastic body. Costs about $15 to $20.

sacsmitty 09-15-2011 12:11 PM

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

Originally Posted by T.G (Post 1409473)
Then get a Wolf V-Cutter. It has the same blade, as in exactly the same from the same knifemaker, Wolfertz, as the Xikar XV, just comes in a plastic body. Costs about $15 to $20.

Thanks for the tip, I have never seen or used a V cutter up until a few nights ago so I had no idea different versions exist.

T.G 09-15-2011 12:12 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
BTW, I'm not aware of any other modern, pocketable V-cutters that use the backwards raked blade design like the Wolf & XV where the blade starts at the tip of the head and works inward. Every other one I've seen relies on the traditional "shove a point (usually dull) into the side of the cigar and rip at it in an outward direction".

So, if you want that razor cut, the XV and Wolf are, to the best of my knowledge, the only options.

I have a number of V-cutters; Donatus, Dunhill, some no-name $2 from CI plastic bodied ones, and a Wolf. The Wolf is the only one that makes a clean cut and doesn't crack or tear up the wrapper on the cigar. I don't use V-cutters often, but after just one use of the Wolf, I've never touched any of the others since. It was that good - the others don't even compare.

irratebass 09-15-2011 12:21 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Wolf V Cutters
http://www.seriouscigars.com/Xikar_C...s_4478_details

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25130

http://www.thompsoncigar.com/product...Nextag-_-23654

icehog3 09-15-2011 12:26 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
Little sumpthin for the effort? :r

T.G 09-15-2011 12:29 PM

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 
BTW, Smitty, when you get a chance, please drop in over in the New Inmates forum and introduce yourself.

If "sac" = Sacramento, I think Mark @ Tower Pipe & Cigar might carry the Wolf cutters, I know he has the XV's and Xikar distributes the Wolf.


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