Might Be a Stupid Question, But...

[ebteksystems]

I just got my first humidor that holds around 100+ cigars. At this time, I only have 9 in my possession. I am having a problem getting the humidity above 65%. I have read I need to keep the box 75% filled or more. Since I don't have extra funds for cigars to fill it, can I fill it with alternate items to stabilize the humidity? I was thinking computer paper? Let me know. Thanks so much.

Benp

[688sonarmen]

When I got my first one I was told to egt a clean non used sponge and whipe it down with fresh distlled water. Then put the sponge in the humidor for about 2-3 days on clean plastic. That did the trick with me!

[DownUnder LLG]

Remember, their are no stupid questions, however people that don't ask questions are...... well you know . This make you intelligent

Try going here Link
Their is some info on setting up Humi's, also what 688 said is true. Just remember, use distilled water, you don't want to ruin those stogies.

Good luck mate.

[RumblePen]

You could put empty cigar boxes in there to fill up the space. I wouldn't whipe down the inside since you can over saturate the wood and raise the grain. If you really are on low humidity you could put a shot glass in there with a little distilled water (don't fill it, no more than a half an inch's worth.)

Also, do you you have a digital hygrometer? If you're using an analog it could very well be over 70% already.

[ebteksystems]

Thanks for the info so far. I have already wiped down the humidor with DW. Ive let a soaked sponge sit in it for 2 days (on plastic). Ive refilled the humidifier 3 times. This is day 4 and I havent got it above 65%. Any other ideas? Thanks again.

Benp

[Thurm15]

Sometimes it can take a good week for the Humi to get up to 65-70% and stay there. Your Humidifing device may be inadequete for the climate your in.

[AlCarbon]

There is a ton of good info here at CS, just use the search function. However, you may find that 65% works best for smoking. Many of us newbies sometimes worry too much about getting the 'right' humidity, usually 70% being the standard, only to figure out that cigars smoke best at 63%-67%. Good luck and welcome to CS!

[5thDan]

Originally Posted by ebteksystems

Thanks for the info so far. I have already wiped down the humidor with DW. Ive let a soaked sponge sit in it for 2 days (on plastic). Ive refilled the humidifier 3 times. This is day 4 and I havent got it above 65%. Any other ideas? Thanks again.

Benp

Welcome to CS ebteksystems. I'd give it a couple more days. If it still seems to be low check that your humidor is sealing properly You can put a small flashlight in your humidor close the lid and check for areas where you can see light. Just a thought.

[Roger Miller"]

Verify your hygrometer is calibrated. Search for Salt Test if you are not sure how to do this.

_____
rm

[singlguy9]

It definitely will be difficult to raise the humidity in an almost empty humidor. They definitely work better and are designed to be full. Filling the void with smoething dense and without odor would most likely do the trick; however, I would just burn the credit card and buy some inexpensive/quality smokes to fill it up. You can get a box of Punch Roths (50 for $100)........$2 a smoke.......good quality and flavor.......and your humidity problem would most likely go away.

[Danimal]

OR if you have the money buy some humidi-beads.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by singlguy9

It definitely will be difficult to raise the humidity in an almost empty humidor. They definitely work better and are designed to be full. Filling the void with smoething dense and without odor would most likely do the trick; however, I would just burn the credit card and buy some inexpensive/quality smokes to fill it up. You can get a box of Punch Roths (50 for $100)........$2 a smoke.......good quality and flavor.......and your humidity problem would most likely go away.

You know, I never had that problem. That is, I never had a problem with humidity when there were only a few sticks in there. I've got a 500 count and it has been stable at 65% with 2 sticks or 150 sticks. That's about how many I have in there now. Lucky I guess?

Did you season it properly ebtek? Welcome to CS!


NCRM

[Nely]

Good advice given by the others. I would not put in there anything else but cigars. I believe its too soon for your humi to stabilize. If after a few days you are still having problems, check the seal with a flashlight like mentioned earlier. Also make sure your hygrometer is accurate, dump your analog hygro and get a digital, I'm partial to the western hygrometer, (do a search on ebay, good deals on them). If you want worry free humidification, go for the beads from heartfelt industries. Their tubes work great. Stabilizing a humidor takes some time, be patient and good luck.
edit: reading over all the post I basically summarized everything for you

[pierce652]

I have a 300 count and when I first got it I didnt have many smokes either. I charged the credo, well actually I oversaturated it. Be careful and only wet about half. I took a little dish with boiling water and left it in there overnight. This took care of low humidity and in a few days it evened out at 70, now its holding steady at 65 with 4 of those little blunger thingies full of 50/50 every week or so.

Definately check the calibration of the hygrometer, even if its digital.

[ebteksystems]

Thanks for all the replies. This community is great. I was wanted to add that I do have a digital hydo. in there right now, along with a built in analog (that is know is crap), and I'm pretty confident in it within a few percentage points. I think I will end up buying a few more cigars and just be more patient. Thanks again.