Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)

[Fredo456]

Originally Posted by smitty81

I think you over thought the above underlined phrase. Every country has different laws.

It was two provinces within Canada.

Two Internet companies, well regarded on this site (I'm not sure if I can name names) do not ship outside the US. I have not visited all the others (obviously), but I'd like to hear fom Canadian members, as to where they can order from, and how much taxes they have to pay upon reception of the cigars.

Thanks.

[Eros]

So after trying to slow season my humidor for the last three weeks, I have nothing to show for it. As soon as I take the shot glass out, the humidity plummets within days. I am assuming I have a leak, as it is a glass top humidor. I am getting impatient, and my cigars have been sitting in a tupperware box with a humi pillow thing for a couple of weeks now. Could I just place the cigars in the humi with the water filled shot glass to stabilize the humidity until I can afford a new humidor? Or would that be unwise?

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by Eros

So after trying to slow season my humidor for the last three weeks, I have nothing to show for it. As soon as I take the shot glass out, the humidity plummets within days. I am assuming I have a leak, as it is a glass top humidor. I am getting impatient, and my cigars have been sitting in a tupperware box with a humi pillow thing for a couple of weeks now. Could I just place the cigars in the humi with the water filled shot glass to stabilize the humidity until I can afford a new humidor? Or would that be unwise?

I would spend less money and buy the clear silicon sealant they use for aquariums and plug the leak.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by Eros

So after trying to slow season my humidor for the last three weeks, I have nothing to show for it. As soon as I take the shot glass out, the humidity plummets within days. I am assuming I have a leak, as it is a glass top humidor. I am getting impatient, and my cigars have been sitting in a tupperware box with a humi pillow thing for a couple of weeks now. Could I just place the cigars in the humi with the water filled shot glass to stabilize the humidity until I can afford a new humidor? Or would that be unwise?

Your cigars will be fine in the tupperware box -- especially since your humi is not holding a steady RH. If you place your cigars in the humidor now they will either get over humidified from the shot glass of water or, if you take the shot glass out then the cigars will dry out.

Fix your humidor and then put your cigars in it. Get get some aquarium grade for silicone sealant; seal around the glass and any other obvious areas (e.g., if there is a hole for a hygrometer, then seal around the hole).

Once you have resolved all of the leaks then your humidor will be able to do the job you need it to do. In the interim, the tupperware box is the best place for your cigars.

One thing you need to remember about this hobby: you need to be patient.

[Fredo456]

I keep reading about hygrometers having to be recalibrated. Some recommend to recalibrate after a sudden change in Rh.
Isn't the point of this tool to accurately indicate the rh of a given space? How accurate is it really, if one can't trust it and has to recalibrate it so often?

Thanks.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by Fredo456

I keep reading about hygrometers having to be recalibrated. Some recommend to recalibrate after a sudden change in Rh.
Isn't the point of this tool to accurately indicate the rh of a given space? How accurate is it really, if one can't trust it and has to recalibrate it so often?

Thanks.

I've only salt tested (calibrated) my once. Although half the time now I don't look at it. I've gotten used to looking and feeling the cigars to make sure they arent too dry or wet.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Fredo456

I keep reading about hygrometers having to be recalibrated. Some recommend to recalibrate after a sudden change in Rh.
Isn't the point of this tool to accurately indicate the rh of a given space? How accurate is it really, if one can't trust it and has to recalibrate it so often?

Thanks.

Sometimes things break, need new batteries, etc....I don't see where in the recommendation it implies that the need to recalibrate happens "often".

If your Rh was reading 65% steadily for a year, and suddenly was at 53%, it is wise to recalibrate your hygrometer to see if it is just "off", or if you do in fact have a much bigger problem with your humidor.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by Fredo456

I keep reading about hygrometers having to be recalibrated. Some recommend to recalibrate after a sudden change in Rh.
Isn't the point of this tool to accurately indicate the rh of a given space? How accurate is it really, if one can't trust it and has to recalibrate it so often?

Thanks.

Like all things that run on batteries they wear out. Also, most digital hygrometers rely on the battery charge to maintain their calibration. As the batteries wear the calibration changes a little.

Also, it's not like it is a huge problem to check your hygrometer a few times a year.

[jluck]

Originally Posted by Fredo456

I keep reading about hygrometers having to be recalibrated. Some recommend to recalibrate after a sudden change in Rh.
Isn't the point of this tool to accurately indicate the rh of a given space? How accurate is it really, if one can't trust it and has to recalibrate it so often?

Thanks.

I think you hear about it much more than needed, due to it's the first thing recommended when there is RH problems in a humidor, When the problem usually ends up being a seasoning (inpatients/owner) or leak issue. but its how a good RH base line is established. And the best tool we have that I'm aware of.

[Malazan]

I'm seasoning my new humidor I got Friday. The RH has stayed at 86% for 3 days now. How much longer should I wait, and is 86% ok for the seasoning process

[CigarNut]

Have you calibrated your hygrometer? If not, you need to do that ASAP; there are many threads discussing how best to do this.

I would give it at least a week, preferably two. 86% is not out of line since the seasoning process saturates the wood of the humidor. If you are really worried, take the moisture source out of your humidor and check the RH after several hours to see how far it drops.

[Malazan]

Yes, I calibrated it with a boveda pack, 75% exactly

[Eros]

I'm going on spring break this week and I need to keep my cigars as fresh as possible for a week. Would it be better for me to place them in my cigar caddy even though it doesn't have humidification? Or would a baggy or tupperware be better? I have about 10 cigars.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Eros

I'm going on spring break this week and I need to keep my cigars as fresh as possible for a week. Would it be better for me to place them in my cigar caddy even though it doesn't have humidification? Or would a baggy or tupperware be better? I have about 10 cigars.

Cigar caddies have rubber gaskets and seal at least just as well or possibly even better than tupperware. If your cigars are at the right humidity already, they should be fine for a week without any additional humidification.

If you are going to an exceptionally dry or wet climate, a 65% boveda pack will do a great job of keeping things from getting too wet or too dry (boveda packs are 2-way). Unlike the built in humidifier on the cigar caddy, here is virtually no chance of mold with a boveda pack. Lastly, since they are thin and will fit on top of the cigars, you can carry one without sacrificing any cigar space.

[Fredo456]

I started the calibration of my HygroSet Digital Hygrometer this morning, and the screen shuts down after a while. I have to press the "set" button for it to come back to life. I bought it new and took off the plastic tab from the battery compartment this morning, so it couldn't be the battery. Or could it? Or is it a normal function of the hygro?

Thanks.

[68TriShield]

In my experience,no.The screen should not go blank.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by Fredo456

I started the calibration of my HygroSet Digital Hygrometer this morning, and the screen shuts down after a while. I have to press the "set" button for it to come back to life. I bought it new and took off the plastic tab from the battery compartment this morning, so it couldn't be the battery. Or could it? Or is it a normal function of the hygro?

Thanks.

It sounds like a defective unit. I would go back to where you bought it and exchange it for a new one.

[racerX]

I know that opus x get better with a little age so I have started a stash. Do patron also age well or just about as good as any other?

[CigarNut]

According to the Padron family their cigars are not meant to be aged. Lots of people still age them with apparently good results.

Me, I like my Padron's too much to let them sit in my humi for long

[Fredo456]

Originally Posted by Fredo456

I started the calibration of my HygroSet Digital Hygrometer this morning, and the screen shuts down after a while. I have to press the "set" button for it to come back to life. I bought it new and took off the plastic tab from the battery compartment this morning, so it couldn't be the battery. Or could it? Or is it a normal function of the hygro?

Thanks.

The problem seems to have resolved itself. The screen hasn't shut down since yesterday, so maybe it was just some jitters.