Are my cigars in trouble?

[Sonic04GT]

I've been somewhat neglecting them since I started school because I've been so darn busy and have hardly had the chance to even sit down and smoke.

Well, both of my 50ct humidors don't seem to want to hold humidity anymore. They are stored on top of each other, in the coolest room in the house, normally around 73 or so. Normally their readings are within 1-2% of each other, and fluctuate simultaneously with temperature.

Lately they've been around 56-57% and I believe have been down as low as 53-54% maybe? They're around 56% now.

I have a small Ci-gel jar in one, and 2 Drymistats in the other. Can't seem to get it to go up any higher.

How long do you think they could have survived at humidity this low?

I find it odd that they used to hold 60-65% perfectly, and now they BOTH dropped. I noticed this after I moved them upstairs while visiting family was in the aforementioned room I normally keep them in. It's much warmer upstairs but they haven't really been the same even after returning to the original room months ago.

[Ogre]

I would move the cigars to Tupperware containers and reseason your humidors. Cigars are rezilant and may bounce back just fine, it may just take a little while.

[T.G]

Your cigars will be fine.

Recharge the humidifiers and smoke a cigar. If you don't like how it smokes, consider re-seasoning the humidors.

[688sonarmen]

They could be ok maybe 2 months or so with RH that low, not real sure. But AC might be the culprit for the lower than normal RH. Mine has been on all summer and I have gone through about 1/4 gallon of DI water in my Cab that holds about 2,000. In the spring time and late winter I don't have to add anything.

[theonlybear4CORT]

send em to me.

[Sonic04GT]

Haha I haven't reached that desperate of measures yet! I'm going to smoke the crap out of them, come end of semester in August.

I have already recharged the humidifiers and it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference. I had them in tupperware for a day or two while I did the shot glass seasoning on one, but apparently it wasn't enough.

I'll probably go ahead and put them back in tupperware and season both humidors for about a week, or just wipe em down with a damp sponge.

[CigarNut]

It will take a week or three or more for your cigars to readjust. They do not react quickly unless there is a real shock (e.g., bringing one outside in the middle of a cold, dry winter).

[pnoon]

Some folks keep their cigars in the high 50s RH constantly. While the cigars may not smoke exactly to your liking, they certainly are not in any danger or ruined.

Relax. It's fine.

[Sonic04GT]

Thanks for the reassurance, guys

I used to be on the verge of OCD when it came to cigars, but let my guard down a few months ago. I miss this hobby but school has been killin' me. If I'm out smoking, I feel guilty as if I should be studying haha Procrastinating doesn't help much either.

If I have the time I'll light one up tomorrow and see how it smokes. Either way I'm pretty sure I'll be re-seasoning.

[dwoodward]

Re seasoning is a good idea. Don't be afraid to go overboard lol. Btw, your cigars will be just fine, give him a month to recouperate and they will be practically good as new.

[Ratters]

Living in South Florida I'd think your problem would be your cigars being over humidified. Don't stress, cigars are way more resiliant than people give them credit for. I've had a Brick House sitting on my office desk for almost a year. When it reaches a year I'm gonna smoke it. My guess is it'll smoke a bit hot but be fine. We'll see. I don't think 2 months is going to be much of a problem.

[Subvet642]

Is it possible that your hygro batteries are weak?

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by Subvet642

Is it possible that your hygro batteries are weak?

Exactly what I was thinking as I read this thread!

[lenguamor]

Beads.

[shilala]

Your humidors are leaky. If you aren't going to be around to fuss over them, put them in a garbage bag and tie it off. That'll make for a nice protective bubble while you're gone.

[neoflex]

As others mentioned I would look at your hygrometers first and foremost especially since when re-seasoning your not seeing an improvement.
My little trick when re-seasoning is taking a small bowl of distilled water and warm it up in the microwave for a couple minutes. Carefully place the bowl in the empty (of course)humidor and keep it closed for a week. I find the warmer water spikes the box out of the gate and gets it to hold steady faster.

[Sonic04GT]

Wow I've never heard of that but I'll give it a shot.

As far as the batteries, I bought the hygrometers at different times but they're both less than a year old. Caliber III's

[sikk50]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Some folks keep their cigars in the high 50s RH constantly. While the cigars may not smoke exactly to your liking, they certainly are not in any danger or ruined.

Relax. It's fine.

This is me

[OLS]

I am with the crowd who thinks that neglect put your humidors in JUST enough need of water that the cigars
sucked what moisture was in the wood and the whole system shrunk back and the air gaps in the wood surfaces
in the sealing department just lost their good seal. You need to re-season them as a few have suggested, IMO.

As the others have also said, there is not much wrong with a cigar that sat too long in low humidity. I like em a
bit dryer personally. But if the humidors do not hold at a level of your choosing, you need to try that NEOFLEX
steam treatment, lol. That'll get her rolling again.

[Skywalker]

I love this place! No one freaks out and says OMG!

The other day while rearranging my vino I noticed a little white mold on a couple of cigars in one box, didn't panic because of what I have learned here!

What a great place with great advice!