New Humidor - Analog Hygometer broke

[JWB007]

So I purchased a new humidor from Tampa Humidor. It is the Salerno and holds approx 300 cigars. Basically, a large bottom with two recetangle humidifiers and two shelves, glass top. No real instructions on how to season.

I bought the seasoning kit. Came with one Boveda seasoning bag. Apparently one Boveda won't cut it for this size humidor (7!??), which is all the kit came with (don't get the kit option). After screwing with the analog hygrometer for a while it came apart completely. After reassembly, I put it in the Boveda calibration bag for a day and a half and came to the conclusion it would fill the hole in the humidor and be for ornament only. Bought a digital Xikar hygrometer at the store for reading.

Ok, so here I am now. I've got the humidor in good position and ready to load. I don't want to mess this up. How long and how to season this model?

Please advise.

[SouthsideCigar]

OK, here we go.

1) Get a Digital Hygrometer that you can calibrate, that is a must. Analogs are crap, and the shape yours seems to be in is even worse.

2) Get a Digial Hygrometer that you can calibrate. (written twice, not a type, as this is very important to be able to accurately read RH)

3) Put a small bowl of distilled water in the humidor and don't open if for a week. After a week, check the RH and see if the bowl needs to be refilled.
Once the RH stabilzes at 70%, you can remove the bowl and use whichever humi device you wish. Beads are probably the easiest for a humi that size.

Once you have done the above you can put your sticks in and you should be good to go.

Dave

[JWB007]

Gracias, Dave. A week? Patience not a virtue! The hygrometer is adjustable so I think I am ok on its calibration. Trying to get this thing to stablize.

[CIGARTOYZ]

Originally Posted by SouthsideCigar

OK, here we go.

1) Get a Digital Hygrometer that you can calibrate, that is a must. Analogs are crap, and the shape yours seems to be in is even worse.

2) Get a Digial Hygrometer that you can calibrate. (written twice, not a type, as this is very important to be able to accurately read RH)

3) Put a small bowl of distilled water in the humidor and don't open if for a week. After a week, check the RH and see if the bowl needs to be refilled.
Once the RH stabilzes at 70%, you can remove the bowl and use whichever humi device you wish. Beads are probably the easiest for a humi that size.

Once you have done the above you can put your sticks in and you should be good to go.

Dave

I agree with Dave analogs are junk. You have a 300 count humidor. At the low end you will have $400 in cigars. $19 for a digital hygrometer is cheap insurance for your sticks.

[XIKAR]

Dave,

How is everything coming? Our hygrometers are pretty dead on, even the older digitals that did not calibrate.

You can find all humidification info and products here:
http://www.xikar.com/product_humidification.asp

I currently live in bone-dry Colorado and the combo of a good humidor, crystal humidifiers and an accurate hygrometer have kept my sticks in perfect, consistent shape for months on end with no work.

- Andy O'Dower
marketing guy for XIKAR

[JWB007]

Andy,

I bought the digital Xikar and stuck in the Boveda calibration bag for 36 hours which is supposed to be at 75.5%. The Xikar hygrometer read 72%, so I pressed the green button, which calibrates to 75%. You think I am in good shape?

My humi has been seasoning for a couple of days at 75% with a dish of water in it according to the Xikar Hygrometer. I know that is high, but I opened it once and took the dish out and it went down to 68% with no cigars, so I figured I better let it simmer a little longer until I really load the thing up.

[The Duke]

How do you change the Xikar hygro from C to F?

[JWB007]

Originally Posted by lucasnlee

How do you change the Xikar hygro from C to F?

Mine just has a green diamond button at the top you can press. Click it once.