Winter Humidor Humidity?

[Heliofire]

So as winter temps and humidity begin to set it now I am noticing that my heartfelt beads are in need of more water more often than I remember they needed last winter. We keep the house around 70 degrees but I have noticed that the room humidity is around 35% so I guess that might make the beads dry faster and keep them a couple points below where I am used to seeing the humidity in my cabinet. I just checked the accuracy of both hygrometers that I keep in there (which i do every six months) and they are both still spot on. So I am wondering how many other brothers out there have had to do more work on their humidity in the winter time. As far as I know the humidity beads don't go bad right? If they do how long do they usually last before they need to be replaced? Thanks for any help or stories you guys might have on battling the dry winter humidity.

[Bubba - NJ]

It's drier during winter around here so I add water more often .

[Heliofire]

Originally Posted by Bubba - NJ

It's drier during winter around here so I add water more often .

Are you using the humidity beads? and if so how long do you go before you need to re-wet them again?

I open my desktop way more often that I should be considering I'm not smoking as much because it's freaking cold outside. The result is that my beads have already needed additional water once and are starting to look a little dry again.

From what I've heard and ready, as long as you are using distilled water, your beads should last a few years.

[ucla695]

As long as you’re using distilled water, the beads should be fine. I also use Heartfelt beads in my humis and I definitely have to tend to them more during the winter. I really don’t open my humis that frequently and I charge the beads every four weeks or so during the winter. The drier air zaps them. I charge them less frequently during the spring and summer. So, no worries….what you’re experiencing is normal.

[Heliofire]

Originally Posted by ucla695

As long as you’re using distilled water, the beads should be fine. I also use Heartfelt beads in my humis and I definitely have to tend to them more during the winter. I really don’t open my humis that frequently and I charge the beads every four weeks or so during the winter. The drier air zaps them. I charge them less frequently during the spring and summer. So, no worries….what you’re experiencing is normal.

Thanks for the input, yeah I always use distilled water on the beads. What's funny and not a winter only related observation, is that I bought the 70% humidity beads but they have alway read around 68% and I know my hygrometers are correct. which is fine with me I would rather have the humidity around 68%. Anyone have that kind of experience with there beads?

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by Heliofire

Thanks for the input, yeah I always use distilled water on the beads. What's funny and not a winter only related observation, is that I bought the 70% humidity beads but they have alway read around 68% and I know my hygrometers are correct. which is fine with me I would rather have the humidity around 68%. Anyone have that kind of experience with there beads?

I have 65% beads but rarely see my humidor hit 65%. It hangs out around 62-64%, which is good for me.

[Heliofire]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

I have 65% beads but rarely see my humidor hit 65%. It hangs out around 62-64%, which is good for me.

So I guess that is just how the works work then. Thanks for your input.

[Anthem]

I've switched over to beads (65%) and I find that I'm already having to recharge them more often. The RH is around 35% in the house as well.

Originally Posted by Heliofire

Thanks for the input, yeah I always use distilled water on the beads. What's funny and not a winter only related observation, is that I bought the 70% humidity beads but they have alway read around 68% and I know my hygrometers are correct. which is fine with me I would rather have the humidity around 68%. Anyone have that kind of experience with there beads?

This is interesting, my 65% beads from hearthelt keep my vinotemp about 68% and I keep them pretty dry. I have always wondered if i actually got 70% beads by mistake?

[s15driftking]

Originally Posted by Good_Stogies_Mon

This is interesting, my 65% beads from hearthelt keep my vinotemp about 68% and I keep them pretty dry. I have always wondered if i actually got 70% beads by mistake?

trade me for my 655!!!!!

[zmancbr]

Originally Posted by ucla695

As long as you’re using distilled water, the beads should be fine. I also use Heartfelt beads in my humis and I definitely have to tend to them more during the winter. I really don’t open my humis that frequently and I charge the beads every four weeks or so during the winter. The drier air zaps them. I charge them less frequently during the spring and summer. So, no worries….what you’re experiencing is normal.

Yup definitely normal. I tend to keep my house a bit colder in the winter and just use blankets if we get cold so it is usually at 67 degrees or maybe 68. The thing I notice most about the winter is my Hygrometers tend to be more accurate which makes me happy!

[Heliofire]

Originally Posted by zmancbr

Yup definitely normal. I tend to keep my house a bit colder in the winter and just use blankets if we get cold so it is usually at 67 degrees or maybe 68. The thing I notice most about the winter is my Hygrometers tend to be more accurate which makes me happy!

What about your humidors do you cover them in blankets too just in case they get to cold.

LOL

[acruce]

Originally Posted by Heliofire

What about your humidors do you cover them in blankets too just in case they get to cold.

LOL

I do.

[Heliofire]

Originally Posted by Heliofire

What about your humidors do you cover them in blankets too just in case they get to cold.

LOL

Originally Posted by acruce

I do.

I am sure your humidors love you for it.

all is lost, i'm afraid. you may have to disperse your stock among us so we can take care of it for you in the meantime...just my

Jason

It's normal, I used to go crazy in the winter with my humi but it all works out. Just do what your doing and you will be fine.

I am pretty new to this too, but I suspected it was going to happen.

But around here, it went from autumn to winter in one day, yesterday. Until then I was still able to wear shorts out to the car (to go to the gym at 0530 am), and was still well above freezing. Yesterday it went straight to frigid cold, well below freezing.

In that single day, my humi's RH dropped close to 10%, 68-58%. I am currently using straight distilled water.

What you may want to do, is consider looking at the seals on your humi. My humi was hand-made by a dude in Cuba....so it may not seal as good as others. I ran a strip of electrical tape along the inside lip of the lid, and the RH started to climb. The downside of this is that now there will be less air circulation. I am pondering how that is going to affect my cigars in the next weeks to months....

Cheers

Cyanide

[WyoBob]

I imagine that genuine humidor's are more difficult to maintain than coolers. That's why I use coolers.

I use 1/2 lb. of 65% beads in each 120 quart cooler and set a small bowl of distilled water beside the beads. I no longer spray the beads. (I think they'll last longer, i.e. not crack, that way.) Our basement is 30% and I top off the water bowl every 1-2 weeks, depending on how often I'm in the coolers. Humidity holds at 65%.

WyoBob

[goalie204]

my beads are on the way in the mail, but my humi was 58-59 before i ordered them and was using 2 humidification devices. My ambient humidity of my condo is 20%

Currently i am re-seasoning my humidor because i dont think it got properly stabilized during initial seasoning because of cold/dry winter weather, and my sticks are in tupperware, hope when my puckifier comes it will save the day. Thanks to all who have helped me.

I'm considering puttin the humidor and the room humidifier in a closet in one of my non leaky rooms of my condo to try and help it out. Anyone tried this or have advice, please PM or reply, thanks