Looking for some help with a humi
 

Well hello for the first time! I stumbled upon your site today while I was looking for information on humis. I was an avid cigar collector and smoker for many years. Needless to say life took a turn and I migrated away from the lifestyle. I was thinking about getting a small desktop humi the other day. For my moms birthday I took her thrift store shopping. I think i got my omen walking into the first store. Before me stood a waist high maybe 200 count humi. There are no markings on the humi anywhere. the hydrometer is stamped "Hillsdale House". I was hoping someone may be able to help me figure out what I have and/or be able to assist me in getting it into working condition. I forgot the best part. The humi was marked $120, I got it for $60. So I think Ive gotta be back, lol. Im going to attach some pics for reference.

Thanks in advance for any and all your help.

Cheers!

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Sorry the pics are sideways I didn't realize. My bad guys!

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

No worries about the pics.

We have a sticky at the top of this forum for seasoning a humidor. That would be the best source of general information. Once it has seasoned for a while (maybe a week, given that it probably hasn't been kept humidified), you can check for leaks and then, if necessary, you can ask more detailed questions in this thread.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=620

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Thanks didn't see that! Ill check it out.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Looks nice, hope it works out for you.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Look through the thread, and then hit us up with any follow up questions. We're a helpful bunch of Inmates. :D

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Make sure you do a thorough seasoning — don’t rush it. Just my :2

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

ok so i read through the sticky. apologies if im posting in the wrong area. how big of a basin ow water should i use? is the bigger the better?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Don’t use a basin — use one or more sponges (wet with distilled water) spread about the humidor. Sponges work better than a dish of water because they offer more surface area.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

I would assume use damp sponges not saturated sponges correct? If using sponges should they have direct contact with the wood or should there be a barrier between the sponge and the wood?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

lots of water is fine as long as it is distilled, put the sponge on a plate in the humi :tu

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

So I'm thinking I should do 4 sponges. One on each shelf and two on the bottom. Let it season for 14 days. Y'all think this would do the trick or at least be a good starting point?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

If it doesn't, there might be a seal issue with the humidor. Get 'er started and keep us in the loop.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Im going to get some fresh sponges and distilled water today. ill post pics when its done! thanks guys

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

So this is what i have done. Ive soaked the sponges. I allowed them to drip dry. I did not squeeze them. I just made sure there was no standing water on the plate before I closed the lid. In the next 2 weeks I need to figure out what kind of hygrometer to get. Does anyone have any suggestions? Im looking to spend no more than 200. The less the better but 200 is no problem. Im only guessing that a hygrometer is the next step?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

You don't need to spend anywhere near that for a hygrometer.

Just a couple quick possibilities:

https://www.amazon.com/Cigar-Oasis-C...-4&tag=mh0b-20

https://www.amazon.com/Hygrometer-10...tag=cigar44-20

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

A bunch of us are moving to Govee

https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Thermom.../dp/B07R586J37

I have one for the top shelf of my cabinet and one for the bottom. The bluetooth setup is nice. Bare functionality, but temp and RH is all that I need.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Sorry its been a couple of days, been slammed at work. I'm almost sold on the cigar oasis. Here is a question though. Has anyone used an "old school" hygrometer in unison with something like the govee? can this be done or is it better to have one or the other. I really only want to have to do this once. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

FOG and his archaic technology. :gary

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Yeah, listening to Mick Jagger music and bad-mouthing my country. -(P

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Any hygrometer is measuring relative humidity so, “in theory” you should be able to use different hygrometers side by side. But, in the real world, all hygrometers have inaccuracies. For example, the govee is rated at +/- 3 percentage points. So, two hygrometers sitting next to each other aren’t always going to read exactly the same, even if you calibrate them. Then, you’re gonna have to start a new thread asking which one is right. So, I would choose one, calibrate it and get used to which reading makes your cigars smoke happy.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

I feel like Im choosing between the light and dark side now! Do I take the blue or red pill?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

I think Im going to order both the giver and the cigar oasis. Calibrate them at the same time and see what happens Worst is I save one for the next him that comes along

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Anyone have any suggestions as to where to order cigars from. I know Im going to have to keep this thing stocked. Im looking at either Thompson or Corona. Im thinking in order to bulk up the bottom Ill just order some seconds just for mass to start with. Then ill most likely order 10-15 5 packs. Until I build another collection. Just wondering if there are any other good sites out there.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Not Thompson! Atlantic Cigars Aways Have Good Prices & Great Customer Service. Also A Sticky Somewhere In The Forum For Suggested Cigar Sites.:D:tu

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Sorry wasn't aware there was a sticky Ill check it out

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

The sticky is at this link: http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1612

Vendors come and go and also get better or worse over time. Posting in that thread about who is a good source now, esp w/ covid, would be most useful.

One thing that I will point out about cigars and hygrometers. It isn't that your cigars *must* be at some RH. Instead, you want to know at what RH, as displayed on your hygrometer(s), do your cigars smoke best at. It's all about personal preference and many have great advice, but in the end, you are going to be the one smoking them.

Hygrometers are a bit like watches. If you only have one watch, you always know what time it is. If you have more than one watch, you never know what time it is.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Mr. Mark is wise. ;)

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

RH? Relative Humidity?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Correct Sir.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Ok, So I stumbled upon the Boveda Butler today. Anyone have any experience or inside info on these. I like the fact that I would be able to use the same company for hygrometer and packs. They also make nice cedar holders for the packs. Im hoping you guys don't give em bad news lol

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

https://cigarsdaily.com/product-cate...sories/page/2/
I've purchased A Boveda Butler From This Company Along With Some Fairly Decent $8.99 Hygrometers that are Pre-Set. I've Been Happy With Both.:tu

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Eric: I Use Boveda Packs For All My Cigars. I Recommend Either 65% Or 69%. Chances Are Your RH In Your Humidor May Run At That RH Or 1-2 Points Below It.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

I am admittedly biased, but I prefer beads over Boveda packs. The Boveda packs work fine, but since they are preset they are less flexible than beads. Just my :2

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

OK so Im going to ask this...Im fairly certain that the first post will be "there's a sticky for that" lol. Im not sure I understand the difference between the packs and beads. These are both new concepts since I was last in the lifestyle. What info is there out there regarding the 2?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

My understanding, the Boveda type packs are membranes and gel set to absorb or give off humidity at a set %. Michael please correct me but the beads (clay/ceramic type) are set to a porous structure to hold moisture and help maintain release into the closed environment.

I use a combo of the two. I use the packs to supply the water and I have trays and contains of beads in alternating areas of the humidor to help balance humidity through out.

Nice thing is with the combo of the two, I have not used a hydrometer for years. When the Boveda packs start to get dry I switch them out with a recharged set and I am good to go for another 4-6 months.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Jay, is there any way you could send me a couple of pics of how the humi is set up? Im just wondering how you do it and if it would work for my set up.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Additionally, the beads can absorb as well as release moisture. This keeps your RH in the humidor where you want it even when the humidity outside the humidor is higher.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

The Boveda Packs Do The Same, Admiral. I Just Couldn't Keep My RH Steady With The Beads.:tu

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

So it is common to use beads and packs together? Also I have no idea what count my humi is. How do I know what to start with? For example one pack and 1 canister of beads, 2 and 2.......

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Eric: For Simplicity, I Recommend Boveda Packs. You Can Reuse Them By Putting them In A Smaller Container Inside Another Larger Airtight Container Filled With Distilled H20.

Here's The # Of Boveda Packs You Need:
https://bovedainc.com/support/cigars...number-boveda/

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

That info is much needed for sure! Thank you! Here is the million dollar question. How many cigars will my humi hold? Is there some sort of mathematical formula I can use if I know the sides of the humi that will tell me? Do I need interior measurements? Im only guessing its 300ct, I have no real idea at all

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

One thing to watch out for with Boveda packs: they are filled with a salt compound. After repeated use the paper can wear and the salt can leak which will damage your humidor and your cigars.

As long as you are diligent, you should be OK.

There are two different kinds of beads on the market: silicate (e.g., Heartfelt Industries) and my HCM Beads, which are made of clay. Both work well, but I am biased toward the HCM Beads :)

No matter what you use, it can take a while to get your humidor dialed in. Make sure to properly season your humidor, and to periodically reseason in. Moisture in the wood keeps the joints tight and helps keep a good seal.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Go With 300 Count, Use The Appropriate # Of Boveda Packs After Properly Seasoning Your Humidor & Go From There Would Be My Recommendation. Everyone Prefers A Different RH. I Personally Like 63-68.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Believe it or not, a humidor capacity calculator. In reality, you’ll have different boxes, trays, etc. so, the number of cigars wil be al lot less than here.

https://www.humidordiscount.com/humidor_calculator

PS: I found this with a Google search. You could too.

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Yeah my friend google knows a lot as well. I was just being lazy and figured one of y'all might know

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

So in five days i can open my humi. What is my next step? I haven't ordered a boded system yet. Should I keep it closed till I have a hygrometer? Im still about 2 weeks out from ordering cigars. How should I proceed?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Without a good hygrometer it's difficult to say when your humidor is ready. I would wait until you have your hygrometer. just my :2

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

Ok. Again sorry for the lack of communication. My boded butler has arrived. I have 2x 69% Rh packs on the way. I figured this was a good middle ground starting point. On the 26th the humi will have been seasoning for 14 days. Whats the next step? Should I wait for the packs to get here and open the humi once the butler is calibrated and the packs are here? or should I calibrate the butler and set it in the humi before I have packs?

Re: Looking for some help with a humi
 

The important thing is to follow the directions to correctly calibrate the hygrometer. After that, you could follow either path. If you put the The hygrometer in with the sponges, it should read quite high, maybe in the 90s. If you put it in with only the Boveda packs, it should read near their value.

When I say, “it should read,” I mean after you close the humidor and let everything settle down. Since you can watch the value on your phone, I would wait until you see similar readings over several hours.