65% RH or 70% RH - Which to Choose?

[ucubed]

65%...in Florida I have to dry box it even more with the humidity or the cigar will soke up the moisture...I just prefer the dryness of 65 over 70

[Dood]

Mark knows stuff!

Going from 70% to 65 % can solve a multitude of problems!

[Footbag]

I agree! 65 is the only way to go.

[K Baz]

If you see these improvements in moving from 70 % to 65 % can further improvements be experienced moving from 65 % to 60 %.

Would this also prevent the need to dry box prior to smoking?

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by K Baz

If you see these improvements in moving from 70 % to 65 % can further improvements be experienced moving from 65 % to 60 %.

Would this also prevent the need to dry box prior to smoking?

I think 60% is too dry for my tastes. The cigars become somewhat "Brittle", IMHO.

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by K Baz

If you see these improvements in moving from 70 % to 65 % can further improvements be experienced moving from 65 % to 60 %.

Would this also prevent the need to dry box prior to smoking?

Hi Kevin,

Just like going from 70% to 65% RH, going from 65% to 60% is entirely what you prefer.

I personally like my stored between 63-65%, most HK collectors are mid 50s, UK collectors like them wet and the French like them soaking wet.

Before making a switch from 65% to 60%, I'd recommend setting up a small humidor and putting smokes in both the 65% and the 60% to see which you prefer.

65% seems to the preferred number as it's not too wet and not too dry...juuuuust righ

I hope this helps

~Mark

.

[taltos]

I found that when I went to 65 from 70, draw problems left and also I got rid of the sour taste that some smokes had toward the end of the smoke.

[boonedoggle]

I keep my boxes right between 66 and 68RH. I typically have issues keeping the temp. down, but normally hovers around 72F. My loose smokes are around 61-63RH. I find this works better for my maduros.

[groogs]

Originally Posted by taltos

I found that when I went to 65 from 70, draw problems left and also I got rid of the sour taste that some smokes had toward the end of the smoke.

65 is the perfect RH for my tastes.

[longknocker]

QUOTE=Dood;14168]Mark knows stuff!

Going from 70% to 65 % can solve a multitude of problems![/quote]
Take this advice from a Pro! Mark has a great wealth of knowledge!

Even a Newb like me can see a big improvement with 65%RH.

[DrDubzz]

65% for sure, 70 is too wet for 99/100 cigars

even at 65 some dry-boxing is often necessary

[awsmith4]

I stay between 63 and 65%. Since going this direction I have definitely had less draw/burn issues

[AriesOpusX]

After switching to 65% I definitely had no more burn issues. 70% seems way too wet.

I've noticed less problems with draw/burn issues since switching to 65%.

I've read several places that 70% is better for aging since it keeps the oils wetter and they can mix together better. Oliva, one of my favorites, says to keep their puros at least at 70% for proper aging. My question to those with more experience here is:

Does 70% humidity age cigars better or just faster? I would think that the wetter environment would allow the oils to mix faster but maybe that's not a good thing.

[Da Klugs]

A couple years ago I contacted Dave at Heartfelt and asked if he could make me some 60% RH beads.

I like them very much for long term cooler storage and for my "ready to smoke" desktops and travel humis.

[K Baz]

I too am a 60 % fan for long term storage (thinking about going down to 55 %). I asked earlier as it appeared like the likely next question (in case anyone was afraid to ask).

I personally use 65 % beads but I use them dry and have never wetted them they are there to insure that the RH in my humi does not get about that 65 % range. Instead of checking to see if my beads are clear and recharging them I make sure they are all still white and would dry them out if they were not.

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by K Baz

I too am a 60 % fan for long term storage (thinking about going down to 55 %). I asked earlier as it appeared like the likely next question (in case anyone was afraid to ask).

Both 60% and 55% are available

I too use the 60% in my "dry box"

~Mark

[Old Sailor]

65% is where I'm at!

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by ucubed

65%...in Florida I have to dry box it even more with the humidity or the cigar will soke up the moisture...I just prefer the dryness of 65 over 70

Yeah, Florida really makes it difficult...I have a constant battle to try and keep things under 68%...and if I take out a humidifier jar to try and get things lower then it dips too low...

[Sailchaser]

65% for me and I do keep a 60% dry box going for a few particular hand rolled sticks that I know are always to wet