Sweeeeet. aka My First Humidor.

[scottw]

Excellent, best of luck with it!

[mc2712]

Great gift, congrats!

[Jack Straw]

I can now see what a slippery slope this is. Just ordered 3 samplers from cigars international - the "Boutique #2," Camacho, and Rocky Patel, in the "3 for $40" deal (5 cigars per batch). When checking out, the thought actually crossed my mind, "I need another humidor, so I can get more cigars." Scary!

And I'm going to stop at Georgetown Tobacco tonight and use my $25 gift certificate.

Question about the humidor - I used the seasoning method of filling the humidifier (distilled water only, no activator), along with 2 shot glasses for 3 days. The plastic analog hygrometer is obviously off, but from the day before yesterday until last night it was reading about 80% - I pulled the shot glasses, and this morning it read maybe 78%. Does this sound relatively "stabilized" to you? I am just going to go ahead and assume that while the gauge is not calibrated, it is reasonably precise in its inaccuracy I think I will start by throwing an LFD ligero and cameroon cabinet in there overnight see how they change overnight, sound like a plan?

[Jack Straw]

For anyone keeping score, I salt tested my hygrometer overnight , and a reading of 78% is actually more or less 70%. I put in some cigars this morning, I'm going to check after lunch (to grab a smoke), and see how stable it is!

[royhubbs]

looking good

[pmp]

Nice humidor. Lotus makes great lighters. I don't have any experience with their humidors yet but if their humidors are anything like the lighters in terms of quality I will be carrying them soon.

[Jack Straw]

Originally Posted by pmp

Nice humidor. Lotus makes great lighters. I don't have any experience with their humidors yet but if their humidors are anything like the lighters in terms of quality I will be carrying them soon.

Well, if you want some feedback, here it is:

Form

-Overall, a very attractive piece.
-There are a few tiny dots (2-3) where the stain missed a spot (for whatever reason), but this is barely noticable. You really have to look close, and be looking for imperfections.
-Finish looks great from 2 feet or so, if you hold it at the right angle and look close you can see a very slight rippling in the laquer. Again, you have to be close, and looking specifically for problems with the finish.

Function

-Humidity holds great, took 3 days to season with no "wiping down" with a wet sponge or anything. Just put in 2 shotglasses with the humidifier. Stays very consistent if you don't constantly open to fiddle with your smokes like I have been.
-Humidifier is your basic deal, but works great.
-Hygro is cheap, and off by 8%, but seems to be consistent.
-The handle on the front is great; it keeps you from smudging the finish.
-Great fit on the divider, and it has felt on the ends.
-Entire unit has I believe felt on the bottom.

[darkninja67]

Congrats on the nice box and lighter. I like your choice in sticks too. Keep on smoking but slap on some crampons.

[Jack Straw]

Originally Posted by darkninja67

Congrats on the nice box and lighter. I like your choice in sticks too. Keep on smoking but slap on some crampons.

Ha, it just got cold again here too. My porch isn't too bad, screened windows with those glass slats that you can adjust and regulate the wind. I plan on having a selection after work today, just nothing too big!

[golfermd]

Originally Posted by Jack Straw

Ha, it just got cold again here too. My porch isn't too bad, screened windows with those glass slats that you can adjust and regulate the wind. I plan on having a selection after work today, just nothing too big!

Tell me about it. I managed to get one in Sunday afternoon in Germantown on my patio. Even then it was a might uncomfortable at times. Temperature wasn't bad. Last 2 days have been miserable with that wind and cold.

[itsme_timd]

Originally Posted by Jack Straw

For anyone keeping score, I salt tested my hygrometer overnight , and a reading of 78% is actually more or less 70%. I put in some cigars this morning, I'm going to check after lunch (to grab a smoke), and see how stable it is!

Hey Andrew,

Looks like a nice setup you've got there!

I noticed you mentioned 70% in the salt test comments. When salt testing the resulting humidity should be 75%. So if you're hygro reads 78% after salt testing then you're only +3%.

I would definitely still get a digital hygrometer as those dial ones can fluctuate a lot.

I'd also recommend beads over gel for humidification. The big benefit with the beads is that they are 2-way, where they will both absorb and release moisture to maintain the humidity level. There are a few places you can get the beads but Heartfelt is a good source - and he's a retailer on here as well.

Just my 2-cents!

[Jack Straw]

Originally Posted by itsme_timd

Hey Andrew,

Looks like a nice setup you've got there!

I noticed you mentioned 70% in the salt test comments. When salt testing the resulting humidity should be 75%. So if you're hygro reads 78% after salt testing then you're only +3%.

I would definitely still get a digital hygrometer as those dial ones can fluctuate a lot.

I'd also recommend beads over gel for humidification. The big benefit with the beads is that they are 2-way, where they will both absorb and release moisture to maintain the humidity level. There are a few places you can get the beads but Heartfelt is a good source - and he's a retailer on here as well.

Just my 2-cents!

Thanks, I do certainly plan on getting a digital hygrometer, whenever I get the dough to order that and the Xikar scissor cutter at the same time. I did the salt test as you said, though - to 75% and read 83% - the 70% is the adjusted value that my humidor was at (approximately - it holds at 78% on the hygro). I actually put in heartfelt beads last night, in a container designed to do up to 540in^3 (this one is around half that), along with some new cigars. So I'll see how that works out. I think I filled them with too much water to begin with, so I let it sit on a cloth for 2 hours.

I'm thinking of doing the salt test again (Yes, I am obsessive, heh.) because the hygro has had a little more time to "stabilize" it's function. It appears to operate through the changing shape of a curled up bit of cardboard.

When I have the original hygrometer and humidifier left over, I might as well build a tupperdor or small coolerdor!

I should take a new picture, as there have been some changes in the last week.

[Shervin]

Been smoking alot of those La Flor's lately, great gal you got there, she got a sister?

[Jack Straw]

Originally Posted by Shervin

Been smoking alot of those La Flor's lately, great gal you got there, she got a sister?

Haha no, just about a dozen cousins. And one double cousin. That sounds weird, but trust me, it's not what it sounds like, even though they are Virginians.

[Jack Straw]

Here are some pics of the 75% full humidor







Had one of the Tatuaje Havanas last night, it was great!