Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks

kqueen · 04-14-2010, 08:54 PM

Hey guys - I am a bit baffled and need some input.
I live in AZ, obviously a very dry climate. I have an avallo cabinet and keep 4 electronic hygros inside. They each read anwhere between 66 degrees F to 69 degrees F and 65% RH to 69% RH depending on what shelf its on.

I have been grabbing a number of cigars lately that have been aging for a while, and when I pinch them between my fingers, I can hear the wrapper make a snap/cracking sound. Does this mean they are dried out? It seems my conditions in my humidor are reading fine, so why are they doing this. Are they ok, too dry, too wet? Are they still smokeable? If not now, can I bring them back?

Would love any input.

NCRadioMan · 04-14-2010, 08:56 PM

Every cigar I have ever touched does that unless they are very wet. If the cigars are smoking fine, I wouldn't give it another thought.

RightAJ · 04-14-2010, 08:57 PM

Have you had any problems with them smoking differently?

aj

04-14-2010, 08:58 PM

I live in Vegas, and have experienced something similar. If you're keeping your sticks in good condition (which it seems like you are), I wouldn't worry about them––removing them from a humid environment into such a dry one can have the effect you describe.

kqueen · 04-14-2010, 09:05 PM

No - they burn fine (great actually), taste great. Thats why I have never really thought more about it. Then I started picking up a few and squeezing them, and I am used to the wet mushy feel of a B&M, and when I squeezed some, They created a popping sound as if the wrapper or filler inside even was popping and I was afraid they were dried out. It made no sense as my conditions seem great from all my electronic read outs.

RightAJ · 04-14-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kqueen

No - they burn fine (great actually), taste great.

Thats all that is important

aj

St. Lou Stu · 04-14-2010, 09:07 PM

'dry' has a peculiar taste to it.
If it doesn't taste peculiar, do it!
That's my motto.

pnoon · 04-14-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kqueen

No - they burn fine (great actually), taste great. Thats why I have never really thought more about it. Then I started picking up a few and squeezing them, and I am used to the wet mushy feel of a B&M, and when I squeezed some, They created a popping sound as if the wrapper or filler inside even was popping and I was afraid they were dried out. It made no sense as my conditions seem great from all my electronic read outs.

You're golden. Stop squeezing them.

St. Lou Stu · 04-14-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

You're golden. Stop squeezing them.

That's what she said!

Bigwaved · 04-14-2010, 09:09 PM

Vegas tried to kill my cigars last time I was there. Damn desert.

kqueen · 04-14-2010, 09:11 PM

Ok cool - I just feel better knowing I have not run into any major red flag. Just my own humidor insecurities, too bad I don't have a cigar shrink ( I suppose thats ya'll). Will continue as is and feel better my investment is safe and still enjoyable.

pnoon · 04-14-2010, 09:15 PM

I think people stress way too much over the numbers. We get way too anal about a fluctuation of a few points in temp or RH. As long as we're happy with the way our cigars are smoking, does the actual temp/RH really matter? Personally, I think not.

(Yes. I know about beetles and mold but that is the extreme.)

kqueen · 04-14-2010, 09:20 PM

Yeah, I really don't stress about my numbers, I truly set and forget. And have felt good about the taste I was getting. But I have many boxes, and some reserved for long aging, and I was concerned they weren't keeping well for some reason I was unaware of. But sounds like I will continue on as I have been. Aging and enjoying, with more confidence that there is nothing out of the ordinary.

neoflex · 04-14-2010, 10:12 PM

That sound is pretty normal. Most B&Ms are way to wet which is why you will find that their cigars are rather mushy feeling rather than being firm but if your keeping your sticks between 65-68% they will have a little crackling to them when pinched. Just as long as the wrapper isn't cracking and bursting on you when doing so than I would say your right around where you need to be especially since you mentioned that they are smoking great. I do feel for you living in your particular climate. I know winters damn near give me stress every year as I find I am always refilling the Oasis and beads whereas the summer not so much. I prob couldn't handle that all year round.

dyieldin · 04-14-2010, 10:40 PM

I am in AZ(Phoenix) as well and noticed the same issue. I did raise my RH up a tad to about 68-69. Not that much of a raise but did the trick. Some stick are just noisier than others as well.

-Dave

kqueen · 04-14-2010, 10:55 PM

Cool , I love the reassurance. Nay raise a % and see what happens.

wolfandwhisky · 04-14-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoflex

That sound is pretty normal. Most B&Ms are way to wet which is why you will find that their cigars are rather mushy feeling rather than being firm but if your keeping your sticks between 65-68% they will have a little crackling to them when pinched. Just as long as the wrapper isn't cracking and bursting on you when doing so than I would say your right around where you need to be especially since you mentioned that they are smoking great. I do feel for you living in your particular climate. I know winters damn near give me stress every year as I find I am always refilling the Oasis and beads whereas the summer not so much. I prob couldn't handle that all year round.

my thoughts exactly...

Bigwaved · 04-14-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

(Yes. I know about beetles and mold but that is the extreme.)

Not if you are as old as you are. Those problems are common...oh, you were talking about the cigars.

pnoon · 04-14-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigwaved

Not if you are as old as you are. Those problems are common...oh, you were talking about the cigars.

borndead1 · 04-15-2010, 04:25 PM

In my opinion, if they DON'T crackle just a little bit when I squeeze them, they are too wet for me.

04-14-2010, 08:54 PM	#1
kqueen Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 120 Trading: (21)	Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks Hey guys - I am a bit baffled and need some input. I live in AZ, obviously a very dry climate. I have an avallo cabinet and keep 4 electronic hygros inside. They each read anwhere between 66 degrees F to 69 degrees F and 65% RH to 69% RH depending on what shelf its on. I have been grabbing a number of cigars lately that have been aging for a while, and when I pinch them between my fingers, I can hear the wrapper make a snap/cracking sound. Does this mean they are dried out? It seems my conditions in my humidor are reading fine, so why are they doing this. Are they ok, too dry, too wet? Are they still smokeable? If not now, can I bring them back? Would love any input.

04-14-2010, 08:56 PM	#2
NCRadioMan Chutney Lovebusciut Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Chutney Location: On the shores of Loch Shiel Posts: 4,277 Trading: (66)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks Every cigar I have ever touched does that unless they are very wet. If the cigars are smoking fine, I wouldn't give it another thought. __________________ The path to loyalty is trust.

04-14-2010, 08:57 PM	#3
RightAJ Here Franky Franky Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: aj Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 915 Trading: (3)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks Have you had any problems with them smoking differently? aj __________________ My Blog-> ajstogies.blogspot.com Beer Blog->thehopscribe.blogspot.com

04-14-2010, 08:58 PM	#4
Noomis Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks I live in Vegas, and have experienced something similar. If you're keeping your sticks in good condition (which it seems like you are), I wouldn't worry about them––removing them from a humid environment into such a dry one can have the effect you describe.

04-14-2010, 09:05 PM	#5
kqueen Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 120 Trading: (21)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks No - they burn fine (great actually), taste great. Thats why I have never really thought more about it. Then I started picking up a few and squeezing them, and I am used to the wet mushy feel of a B&M, and when I squeezed some, They created a popping sound as if the wrapper or filler inside even was popping and I was afraid they were dried out. It made no sense as my conditions seem great from all my electronic read outs.

04-14-2010, 09:07 PM	#7
St. Lou Stu Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Belleville, IL (St. Louis) Posts: 2,304 Trading: (21)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks 'dry' has a peculiar taste to it. If it doesn't taste peculiar, do it! That's my motto. __________________ Pretending to play golf since 1989

04-14-2010, 09:09 PM	#10
Bigwaved 99 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lilliput Posts: 812 Trading: (3)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks Vegas tried to kill my cigars last time I was there. Damn desert.

04-14-2010, 09:11 PM	#11
kqueen Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 120 Trading: (21)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks Ok cool - I just feel better knowing I have not run into any major red flag. Just my own humidor insecurities, too bad I don't have a cigar shrink ( I suppose thats ya'll). Will continue as is and feel better my investment is safe and still enjoyable.

04-14-2010, 09:15 PM	#12
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks I think people stress way too much over the numbers. We get way too anal about a fluctuation of a few points in temp or RH. As long as we're happy with the way our cigars are smoking, does the actual temp/RH really matter? Personally, I think not. (Yes. I know about beetles and mold but that is the extreme.) __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

04-14-2010, 09:20 PM	#13
kqueen Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 120 Trading: (21)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks Yeah, I really don't stress about my numbers, I truly set and forget. And have felt good about the taste I was getting. But I have many boxes, and some reserved for long aging, and I was concerned they weren't keeping well for some reason I was unaware of. But sounds like I will continue on as I have been. Aging and enjoying, with more confidence that there is nothing out of the ordinary.

04-14-2010, 10:12 PM	#14
neoflex I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: John Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 2,765 Trading: (32)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks That sound is pretty normal. Most B&Ms are way to wet which is why you will find that their cigars are rather mushy feeling rather than being firm but if your keeping your sticks between 65-68% they will have a little crackling to them when pinched. Just as long as the wrapper isn't cracking and bursting on you when doing so than I would say your right around where you need to be especially since you mentioned that they are smoking great. I do feel for you living in your particular climate. I know winters damn near give me stress every year as I find I am always refilling the Oasis and beads whereas the summer not so much. I prob couldn't handle that all year round. __________________

04-14-2010, 10:40 PM	#15
dyieldin Still Watching My Back Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Dave Location: S. Phoenix AZ Posts: 235 Trading: (0)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks I am in AZ(Phoenix) as well and noticed the same issue. I did raise my RH up a tad to about 68-69. Not that much of a raise but did the trick. Some stick are just noisier than others as well. -Dave

04-14-2010, 10:55 PM	#16
kqueen Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 120 Trading: (21)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks Cool , I love the reassurance. Nay raise a % and see what happens.

04-15-2010, 04:25 PM	#20
borndead1 Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 1,345 Trading: (7)	Re: Help - Whats the Deal w/ My Sticks In my opinion, if they DON'T crackle just a little bit when I squeeze them, they are too wet for me. __________________ None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.