Dry boxing

[MiamiE]

Exactly how is this done? How long? Would a small plastic Tupperware work?

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by MiamiE

Exactly how is this done? How long? Would a small plastic Tupperware work?

Erick...tupperware might hold the moisture in...if you have a stick that's a wee bit too moist with little draw just leave it out of the humi for a few days, or throw it in a humi that doesn't have any humidifier device in it...

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

throw it in a humi that doesn't have any humidifier device in it...

That's what I do.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by MiamiE

Exactly how is this done? How long? Would a small plastic Tupperware work?

Tupperware would really only work if you add a desiccant pack. If you go that route, sporting goods & gun stores, along with camera stores should have some good desiccant packs that have moisture indicators and can be put in the oven to dry back out when the indicator shows "moist" (usually it's just a color chaniging window on the aluminum case).

Otherwise, just any old empty cigar box will do. Open the box, take the cello of of the cigar, toss the cigar in, close the lid, wait a few days.

Or do what I do - I just leave the cigar lying on the counter. Box, meh, It'll be fine, we don't need no stinkin' boxes.

[JJG]

I have a magnetic pen holder on the side of my refrigerator like this one

http://images.containerstore.com/ima...9708/19708.jpg

On Thursday night I take out everything I plan to smoke for the weekend and leave it in my little "cigar caddy" overnight. simple as that, nothing complicated about it. I have found that doing this improves the burn on the wrappers, prevents tunneling, etc. also, it has a tendency to "sharpen up" the flavors a little.

[MiamiE]

Last 4-5 orders from the Island have come ridiculously wet. I need to dry box a couple boxes at a time. I guess I could try just leaving them out.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by MiamiE

Last 4-5 orders from the Island have come ridiculously wet. I need to dry box a couple boxes at a time. I guess I could try just leaving them out.

Erick, I have experienced the same thing. It has been really bad lately. but "dry boxing" is only for cigars you are planning to smoke in the near future. What I have been doing for super wet boxes is to take all the cigars out!!! Check for mold on the bottom rows, especially with dress boxes. wipe off any mold and put the cigars in a humidor or tupperdor. They will acclimate on their own. For the boxes, leave them out of the humidor with the lids open for a week or so before putting the smokes back in. I would NOT recommend leaving the cigars themselves out of the humi unless you plan to smoke them all within 48-72 hours.

[MiamiE]

I am having a HUGE problem with mold lately on ALL tubos coming in. Finally I got a good order through though that was just super wet. No mold.

Thanks for the advice!

[captain53]

Just use a lower priced desktop humi or two. They usually don't seal too well anyway and will give you the needed spanish cedar but without any humidity added they will slowly bring the moisture level down. I use one and it works very well that way.

[Ashcan Bill]

If I have cigars I'm planning to smoke that I think may be a little too humidified, I just lay them on top of a humidor for a day or two before smoking them.

It's dry boxing without the box.

[yourchoice]

I've had bad experiences with tubos and mold...moreso than a db or slb. I've been staying away from them for that reason...sucks as there are a few that I have wanted to grab.

As for the advice above, I concur...inspect and only dry box the ones you plan to smoke in the near future.

[newcigarz]

South Florida is a little different than most locations. Sometimes the humidity outside the humidor is higher than inside.

[Ashcan Bill]

Originally Posted by newcigarz

South Florida is a little different than most locations. Sometimes the humidity outside the humidor is higher than inside.

Our humidity is sitting at 14% today.

[Smokin Gator]

Originally Posted by newcigarz

South Florida is a little different than most locations. Sometimes the humidity outside the humidor is higher than inside.

LOL... that is exactly what I was thinking. If we left our sticks out, for much of the year, the would be dripping!!

Originally Posted by captain53

Just use a lower priced desktop humi or two. They usually don't seal too well anyway and will give you the needed spanish cedar but without any humidity added they will slowly bring the moisture level down. I use one and it works very well that way.

This is exactly what I do and has worked well for a lot of years.

[alwayslit]

Originally Posted by captain53

Just use a lower priced desktop humi or two. They usually don't seal too well anyway and will give you the needed spanish cedar but without any humidity added they will slowly bring the moisture level down. I use one and it works very well that way.

......x2

[MiamiE]

Problem is lately I've been finding the older stock of my favorite stuff is AT!! Guess it's a risk I'll take!

[Stinky]

We're all science-students with ongoing humidity projects! We live in the desert (Southern Nevada) and keeping humidity UP in the humidor(s) is our challenge.

As for Dry Boxing:
The same principals apply. . . GO SLOWLY! I suggest leaving the cellophane on the cigar(s) you're trying to lower the humidity (aka moisture content). Cellophane is porous and will allow humidity (moisture) in and/or out. If you remove the cellophane, you run the risk of drying the outer leaves at a different rate. When removing moisture, you could find the outer leaves (especially the wrapper) dry and the bunch (core/filler) still moist. This is what often causes the cigar to swell and the wrapper to crack and split! Be very careful to go slowly so the entire cigar & filler have the same humidity. This is VERY IMPORTANT!

If you're doing a whole box, leave the cellophane on and the lid closed. The process for an entire box can take weeks for proper changes in moisture content. While you are checking the box, I suggest you remove the cigars and "rotate" them (top to bottom. . . middle to outside. . . etc.)

Many of us use a "Dry Box" that is rigged to hold (for example) 65% RH and store the "Ready-to-Smoke" cigars in that box. Typically a separate humidor. There are humidification beads and packs (on the market now) that are designed to hold different RH levels. Drying a single cigar or a full box can be done in a cedar cigar box just as well.

Best advice is to check your cigars frequently and continue to experiment with different methods. Beware of shortcuts! Slow and steady wins the race!

Just my experience and ideas for your consideration. . .

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Stinky

We're all science-students with ongoing humidity projects! We live in the desert (Southern Nevada) and keeping humidity UP in the humidor(s) is our challenge.

As for Dry Boxing:
The same principals apply. . . GO SLOWLY! I suggest leaving the cellophane on the cigar(s) you're trying to lower the humidity (aka moisture content). Cellophane is porous and will allow humidity (moisture) in and/or out. If you remove the cellophane, you run the risk of drying the outer leaves at a different rate. When removing moisture, you could find the outer leaves (especially the wrapper) dry and the bunch (core/filler) still moist. This is what often causes the cigar to swell and the wrapper to crack and split! Be very careful to go slowly so the entire cigar & filler have the same humidity. This is VERY IMPORTANT!

If you're doing a whole box, leave the cellophane on and the lid closed. The process for an entire box can take weeks for proper changes in moisture content. While you are checking the box, I suggest you remove the cigars and "rotate" them (top to bottom. . . middle to outside. . . etc.)

Many of us use a "Dry Box" that is rigged to hold (for example) 65% RH and store the "Ready-to-Smoke" cigars in that box. Typically a separate humidor. There are humidification beads and packs (on the market now) that are designed to hold different RH levels. Drying a single cigar or a full box can be done in a cedar cigar box just as well.

Best advice is to check your cigars frequently and continue to experiment with different methods. Beware of shortcuts! Slow and steady wins the race!

Just my experience and ideas for your consideration. . .

I'd be willing to bet his cigars do not have cellophane.

[MiamiE]

Stinky, great info and no cello! Are tubos porous?