Need some advice

tomc3084 · 06-05-2010, 09:51 AM

Ok, turns out both of my digital hydrometers are all over the place now. I put the most accurate one in with salt it reads 70%, okay....I then used a water pillow that is 67% and it reads 71%. I do not understand how it can be over AND under, guess it is just busted, you get what you pay for. Anyways, I know there is several places to get re-adjustable hydrometers online. My question to you is who do you think has the best out there. Thanks a lot, I appreciate your answers.
Tommy

chippewastud79 · 06-05-2010, 09:54 AM

Change the battery

Negncic · 06-05-2010, 09:55 AM

Who's to say that the water pillow is dead on at 67%? Your hydrometer might be correct.

tomc3084 · 06-05-2010, 10:07 AM

it says on the back of the pillow it is made for 67%....

tomc3084 · 06-05-2010, 10:08 AM

and I am not comfortable with something that MAY be correct...

papichulo · 06-05-2010, 10:09 AM

get the beads they seem to be more accurate

pnoon · 06-05-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomc3084

Ok, turns out both of my digital hydrometers are all over the place now. I put the most accurate one in with salt it reads 70%, okay....I then used a water pillow that is 67% and it reads 71%. I do not understand how it can be over AND under, guess it is just busted, you get what you pay for. Anyways, I know there is several places to get re-adjustable hydrometers online. My question to you is who do you think has the best out there. Thanks a lot, I appreciate your answers.
Tommy

Don't stress over the numbers.

Only one question matters - How are your cigars smoking? If you say fine, end-of-story.

Edit: If you are determined to resolve the "numbers", I would trust the hygrometer much more than a water pillow.

cort · 06-05-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

Don't stress over the numbers.

Only one question matters - How are your cigars smoking? If you say fine, end-of-story.

Edit: If you are determined to resolve the "numbers", I would trust the hygrometer much more than a water pillow.

I hate to admit it, but I'm with Pete on this one.

pnoon · 06-05-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cort

I hate to admit it, but I'm with Pete on this one.

kaisersozei · 06-05-2010, 10:49 AM

There's also some correlation between temperature and relative humidity, could explain some of this variation. Not sure how it works, but I've noticed the RH reading in my glasstop varies a % or two as the temp rises & falls. I don't stress over a few percentage points--I figure I'm just keeping the leaves comfy until I torch them anyway, not running a science experiment

pnoon · 06-05-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisersozei

There's also some correlation between temperature and relative humidity, could explain some of this variation. Not sure how it works, but I've noticed the RH reading in my glasstop varies a % or two as the temp rises & falls. I don't stress over a few percentage points--I figure I'm just keeping the leaves comfy until I torch them anyway, not running a science experiment

Exactly.

tomc3084 · 06-05-2010, 11:04 AM

Thanks for the response. After reading what you guys said, well, I feel a lot more at ease now, lol. Thanks!

tomc3084 · 06-05-2010, 11:08 AM

The only thing that bothers me is some of my cigars I have smoked recently self extinguish around the final third.....not that big of a deal I guess now that I think it over. It would be if upon relighting it tasted off, but it doesn't. I guess I should just dry box. The only thing that does worry me is what if I end up hanging onto a few smokes for years, can't 70 percent be a bad thing for long term aging? I have heard both sides of this story, so I just want to know what your experience is rather than what you think might happen. Thanks so much for your input guys.

BigCat · 06-05-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomc3084

The only thing that bothers me is some of my cigars I have smoked recently self extinguish around the final third.....not that big of a deal I guess now that I think it over. It would be if upon relighting it tasted off, but it doesn't. I guess I should just dry box. The only thing that does worry me is what if I end up hanging onto a few smokes for years, can't 70 percent be a bad thing for long term aging? I have heard both sides of this story, so I just want to know what your experience is rather than what you think might happen. Thanks so much for your input guys.

My understanding is that 70% is actually ideal for long term aging. Storing them at a lower RH slows down the process.

icehog3 · 06-05-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCat

My understanding is that 70% is actually ideal for long term aging. Storing them at a lower RH slows down the process.

Opinions vary....I find that low 60s is the best RH for the way I prefer my cigars to age.

BigCat · 06-05-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Opinions vary....I find that low 60s is the best RH for the way I prefer my cigars to age.

Just like everything else in this hobby. I don't actually have first hand experience with long term aging - I've only been smoking for a few years and my cooler has 65% beads in it.

icehog3 · 06-05-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCat

Just like everything else in this hobby. I don't actually have first hand experience with long term aging - I've only been smoking for a few years and my cooler has 65% beads in it.

But you're in the mix now, Colin, and experimenting is half the fun!

06-05-2010, 09:51 AM	#1
tomc3084 Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Tom Location: Baden, PA Posts: 710 Trading: (26)	Need some advice Ok, turns out both of my digital hydrometers are all over the place now. I put the most accurate one in with salt it reads 70%, okay....I then used a water pillow that is 67% and it reads 71%. I do not understand how it can be over AND under, guess it is just busted, you get what you pay for. Anyways, I know there is several places to get re-adjustable hydrometers online. My question to you is who do you think has the best out there. Thanks a lot, I appreciate your answers. Tommy __________________ [SIGPIC]

06-05-2010, 09:54 AM	#2
chippewastud79 Fatter than you! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Larry Location: A little place called home. Posts: 5,397 Trading: (44)	Re: Need some advice Change the battery __________________ If we weren't supposed to eat animals, then how come they're made of meat? You can never have too many cigars, they are like an investment in good times.

06-05-2010, 09:55 AM	#3
Negncic Killed By Death Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jim Location: West Islip NY Posts: 499 Trading: (74)	Re: Need some advice Who's to say that the water pillow is dead on at 67%? Your hydrometer might be correct.

06-05-2010, 10:07 AM	#4
tomc3084 Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Tom Location: Baden, PA Posts: 710 Trading: (26)	Re: Need some advice it says on the back of the pillow it is made for 67%.... __________________ [SIGPIC]

06-05-2010, 10:08 AM	#5
tomc3084 Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Tom Location: Baden, PA Posts: 710 Trading: (26)	Re: Need some advice and I am not comfortable with something that MAY be correct... __________________ [SIGPIC]

06-05-2010, 10:09 AM	#6
papichulo Diablo Canoso Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burque Posts: 344 Trading: (2)	Re: Need some advice get the beads they seem to be more accurate __________________ it is all about the onion

06-05-2010, 10:49 AM	#10
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: Need some advice There's also some correlation between temperature and relative humidity, could explain some of this variation. Not sure how it works, but I've noticed the RH reading in my glasstop varies a % or two as the temp rises & falls. I don't stress over a few percentage points--I figure I'm just keeping the leaves comfy until I torch them anyway, not running a science experiment __________________

06-05-2010, 11:04 AM	#12
tomc3084 Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Tom Location: Baden, PA Posts: 710 Trading: (26)	Re: Need some advice Thanks for the response. After reading what you guys said, well, I feel a lot more at ease now, lol. Thanks! __________________ [SIGPIC]

06-05-2010, 11:08 AM	#13
tomc3084 Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Tom Location: Baden, PA Posts: 710 Trading: (26)	Re: Need some advice The only thing that bothers me is some of my cigars I have smoked recently self extinguish around the final third.....not that big of a deal I guess now that I think it over. It would be if upon relighting it tasted off, but it doesn't. I guess I should just dry box. The only thing that does worry me is what if I end up hanging onto a few smokes for years, can't 70 percent be a bad thing for long term aging? I have heard both sides of this story, so I just want to know what your experience is rather than what you think might happen. Thanks so much for your input guys. __________________ [SIGPIC]