Can't get new Savoy Humidor to stabilize

[jh225]

Picked up a never used 150 Savoy from a guy.

Did the typical wipe the inside cedar down with a damp distilled water towel.

Seemed to be OK, so a day later I filled it with smokes and 2 stockings full of Heartfelt 70% beads. Next morning, the beads were completely dry and gauge showed about 50%.

Did process again, only this time, I wet the walls down a little more figuring the cedar soaked up all the moisture. Looked OK, and loaded it again, only to find the same problem the next morning.

Right now, I have those cigars in a cooler, and I have wet the inside of the Savoy down pretty good. I can't see the wood soaking up that much moisture.

Anyone have any thought as to what is going on?

[War Eagle]

I wouldn't wipe it down anymore. Try putting a little bowl of distilled water in it with the lid shut for a few days. Also, is your hygrometer reading properly?

[webjunkie]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

I wouldn't wipe it down anymore. Try putting a little bowl of distilled water in it with the lid shut for a few days.

It really sounds like you haven't seasoned the humi. Even though you've wiped down the wood, it hasn't absorbed enough humidity so it's sucking it out of the air which is why the beads are dry.

[jh225]

Yeah, I have a cup of water sitting in it now. I guess I will leave it alone for a few days and see what happens.

Just weird as I have not run into this problem with any of my other ones.

As far as the hygrometer is concerned, I can't tell as it is not removable. It is built into the front of the unit. It is a Savoy humidor, so I would hope that the hygro is somewhat accurate. My digital is lost somewhere, so I can't use that. I really need to get me a few of those adjustable digital ones.

[webjunkie]

I wouldn't trust the analog one, even if it was from Savoy. Time to pick up a new digital hygrometer.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by webjunkie

I wouldn't trust the analog one, even if it was from Savoy. Time to pick up a new digital hygrometer.

Analogs are notoriously inaccurate. Also, I wouldn't trust it if you can't test it. However, I would say if you have enough beads in there, I wouldn't worry about it. IMO, you can set hygros by those beads.

[jh225]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Analogs are notoriously inaccurate. Also, I wouldn't trust it if you can't test it. However, I would say if you have enough beads in there, I wouldn't worry about it. IMO, you can set hygros by those beads.

True, BUT, both bags of beads totally dried out overnight 2 times. That would tell me the wood is still sucking moisture, no?

[guy g]

My humidor has been really hard to keep humidified also. I have a Drymistat, a jar of crystals and a Humicare bead unit. It`s now holding at 68.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by jh225

True, BUT, both bags of beads totally dried out overnight 2 times. That would tell me the wood is still sucking moisture, no?

Yes. I was more referring to when you get the wood conditioned I wouldn't worry to much about your analog hygro as long as your beads looked good.

[rockyr]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Yes. I was more referring to when you get the wood conditioned I wouldn't worry to much about your analog hygro as long as your beads looked good.

I agree - once your beads are at about 50 / 50 dry and clear, you should be ready to add cigars.

[SouthsideCigar]

As said above, it takes a while, sometimes 1 -2 weeks to get some humidors to stabilize. During this time, you should not have any cigars in the box, just the distilled water in a glass and the bead if you are using them. Also, as said above, an adjustable digital hygrometer is a must.

Dave

[txdyna65]

Did you try the light test on it? Ive owned a couple of Savoys and they are well made, but you may not be getting a good seal. Try putting a light in it and darken the room and see if you can see light coming out anywhere.

As other have said too, I wouldnt trust the analog, and if you cant test it, you really dont know what the real treading is. The beads being white and dry is a darn good clue, but I would still light test it and get a digital and test that to be sure.

[BamBam]

You need to let the Humi charge up to your desired RH, and then, and not until then, put in your sticks.

[groogs]

Originally Posted by txdyna65

Did you try the light test on it? Ive owned a couple of Savoys and they are well made, but you may not be getting a good seal. Try putting a light in it and darken the room and see if you can see light coming out anywhere.

As other have said too, I wouldnt trust the analog, and if you cant test it, you really dont know what the real treading is. The beads being white and dry is a darn good clue, but I would still light test it and get a digital and test that to be sure.

Try the light test or the money test. Put a bill on the edge of the humi and close the lid. If there is someresistance on the bill when you pull it out the seal is fine. If the bill pulls out freely you have a bad seal. It could also be the cedar soaking up the moisture. I always let a new humi sit at least a week befor I put smokes in it.

[jh225]

Definitely is sealing tight, checked on that.

It just may be that this box is going to take more than a couple of days to stabilize.

Bowl of distilled has been in alone for quite a few hours and box is at an indicated 68%. I will let is sit and see what happens.