Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)

[deaster25]

I just bought a tube of beads from heartfelt for my humidor. The way I had it set up before was with a generic tube of gel that I had separated from the cigars with a divider. My question is, can I remove the divider and let the tube come in direct contact with the cigars without any chance of harming the cigars. Also would the cigars closest to the tube be more humid than the ones on the other side? I have a 50 count and I bought the tube that is double the required minimum size.

[Zanaspus]

Originally Posted by deaster25

I just bought a tube of beads from heartfelt for my humidor. The way I had it set up before was with a generic tube of gel that I had separated from the cigars with a divider. My question is, can I remove the divider and let the tube come in direct contact with the cigars without any chance of harming the cigars. Also would the cigars closest to the tube be more humid than the ones on the other side? I have a 50 count and I bought the tube that is double the required minimum size.

I don't know the scientific answer, but I have no divider, the cigars taste fine, and I'm not dead yet.

[Eros]

So I just got a humidor yesterday. I salt tested a digital hygrometer and calibrated it accordingly. Then I placed a shot glass with water in the humidor and closed the lid with the hygrometer inside. The humidity rose to 87%. I took out the glass, placed in some hydrating beads and the humidity has stayed at 68%. Did I get lucky? Most people say it takes at least a few days to season. Should I wait a little longer? I just bought some cigars and they were on the road for 5 days and have been in their bag for an additional two. I would like to get them in as quickly as I can.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by Eros

So I just got a humidor yesterday. I salt tested a digital hygrometer and calibrated it accordingly. Then I placed a shot glass with water in the humidor and closed the lid with the hygrometer inside. The humidity rose to 87%. I took out the glass, placed in some hydrating beads and the humidity has stayed at 68%. Did I get lucky? Most people say it takes at least a few days to season. Should I wait a little longer? I just bought some cigars and they were on the road for 5 days and have been in their bag for an additional two. I would like to get them in as quickly as I can.

How long has it stayed at 68%?

[Eros]

Since 5 this morning.

[Blak Smyth]

If it was me, I would wait until tomorrow morning and see if it changes. If you throw cigars in now and the humidity changes you will not know the reason. Tomorrow if it is still holding true throw them in and see what happens IMHO.

[pnoon]

If you put cigars in an empty humidor the RH will almost surely change. Unless by a stroke of luck the cigars and the empty humi have identical RH.

More often than not, RH in the humi will drop due to the cigars absorbing moisture.
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As usual, pnoon has the answer.

[Eros]

So waiting for another day or more should help? I'm just worried about my cigars drying out in the bag. Cigars are quite the investment for me.

[CigarNut]

It can't hurt to wait an extra day or two and it can certainly help. This is not something you want to rush...

[Eros]

Also does anyone have any recommendations in regards to a machine that can clear up cigar odors pretty well? I am getting an apartment this summer and I don't have anywhere to smoke outside.

[bobarian]

Cigars can be stored for an extended period in a ziploc bag. I have some sitting on my desk that have been there for a month. If you are really worried, put them in a second bag.

Eros
http://compare.ebay.com/like/2707785..._lwgsi=y&cbt=y
maybe a good start

[Eros]

Thanks for that recommendation coty. Also, the humidity had dropped to 63 rh after adding a couple of cigars. I have a drymistat tube of crystal gel or whatever it is. Should I add that, or is that not advisable?
Side note: I have the 65% rh beads in there as my humidifier.

[pnoon]

The beads are all you should need.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Eros]

So how low is too low as far as rh goes? I mean I don't think 62 is too much lower than 65 in regards to negatively impacting the cigars, but when should I worry? When its down in the mid 50's? Lastly, when I start adding more cigars, and the humidity keeps dropping, should I just re-season the humidor? Sorry for all the questions, I am a newbie after all.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by Eros

So how low is too low as far as rh goes? I mean I don't think 62 is too much lower than 65 in regards to negatively impacting the cigars, but when should I worry? When its down in the mid 50's? Lastly, when I start adding more cigars, and the humidity keeps dropping, should I just re-season the humidor? Sorry for all the questions, I am a newbie after all.

If the RH does not stababilze and continues to drop this may be an indicator that you rushed the seasoning process. Or it could mean that your humidor is not sealing well.

There are lots of threads here that will help you, but the key thing is that you need to be patient. It will not hurt your cigars if they are exposed to a "too-low" or "too-high" RH for a short time. It takes time for your cigars to equalize so don't worry. Also, ziplock bags are your friend! You can always safely put your cigars in a ziplock for extended periods of time while you resolve any issues you might have with your humidor.

[icehog3]

I keep my cigars at 62% and they smoke perfectly.

I have heard of some who keep theirs in the high 50s, but I am not experiementing because I've found the RH I like.

I would personally be worried if mine dropped below 60 for a significant amount of time.

[Eros]

The cigars I just purchased we already in a ziplock bag when they arrived. So if I leave them in there for another week on top of the week it took for them to arrive, they won't be completely ruined?

[CigarNut]

They will be fine.