Humidity Help

[Stogiefanatic182]

hey guys, Im a 19 yr old college student in upstate NY. I bought a desktop humi from thompsons in july and it has worked fairly well so far. Two weeks ago I bought a radio shack digital and did the salt test on it. It read 72 and after keeping it in the humi it read 64 which translates to 67. Its been at 64 for almost three weeks now and I cant get the humidity up past 67%. I put a shot glass full of distilled h20 and it hasnt uped the humidity at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Neuromancer]

First of all, I'd get a Boveda Humipak Calibration Kit as I've found they are far more reliable and accurate than the salt test as I have about a half dozen digital hygrometers and a few of their manufacturers recommended against using the salt test with anything electronic due to the corrosion factors, but I have been assured that you would have to test a digital several times using the salt test before any damage might occur...

Boveda-Humidipak Hygrometer Calibration Kit

As far as getting the humidity stabilized, there are several methods...some of the guys recommend the beads and I understand they're great, and I think they get them from Heartfelt Industries...

Heartfelt Industries

Personally I use the 2oz. and 4oz. jars of crystal gel which I understand can be filled with distilled water or a 50/50 mix of propylene glycol...they look like this and can be gotten many places so check your prices...they're doing okay for me but I'm probably going to switch to the beads eventually for a more stable environment...

Humi-Care Crystal Gel

Good luck...

[Scott M]

At the risk of stealing Neuromancers' thunder, I keep my humi and coolerdor at 64-68%, as my cigars seem to taste better in this range, so I'm kind of not seeing the problem.


I am, however, curious as to why yours won't go above that level... could be it's already saturated (?). I'll assume your seal is alright and you've checked it with a flashlight inside, or the woosh test.



I could be missing something.



In response to this thread, I mean.

[ShawnP]

Are you sure your humidor has a good seal and holds the humidity???? Just curious, sounds like that may be a reason for no climb in humidity.

All the other meathods posted above should work also

Should be no reason why you cannot get the humidity up easily.

[punch]

I agree. I am failing to see the problem with that humidity range.

[ShawnP]

I agree with a 65-68% level also but if he desires a higher level he should be able to get it raised without this much trouble.

I still say check the seal.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by Scott M

At the risk of stealing Neuromancers' thunder, I keep my humi and coolerdor at 64-68%, as my cigars seem to taste better in this range, so I'm kind of not seeing the problem....

Ah...thunder not stolen and I was interrupted so many times between phones ringing, and UPS deliveries, while trying to write that post, that I forgot to mention that using what I hope are properly calibrated digitial hygrometers (I find the Western Caliber III to be about the most accurate) and the crystal gel jars my humidity level rides around 67%-68% which I find is just about perfect for the cigar brands I smoke...

[smokeydude]

To put in my I don't see a problem with 67%.
One other thing to look at is temperature and how that affects humidity.
Here's a link to a chart
click

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by smokeydude

To put in my I don't see a problem with 67%.

I would agree that 67% is perfect. I run mine 65-67 and the sticks smoke great!



NCRM

[RcktS4]

Originally Posted by smokeydude

To put in my I don't see a problem with 67%.
One other thing to look at is temperature and how that affects humidity.
Here's a link to a chart
click

I beg to differ with that site...

RH myth

Oh - and fwiw I also think 67 is fine. I keep my RH at 62-65, including my NCs (both of 'em)

[Stogiefanatic182]

thanks guys for the help, I did a flashlight test a few weeks ago and the seal was good, and I get a whoosh sound when I close the lid. I just wanted to hear what other peoples take on the humidity level was.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Stogiefanatic182

thanks guys for the help, I did a flashlight test a few weeks ago and the seal was good, and I get a whoosh sound when I close the lid. I just wanted to hear what other peoples take on the humidity level was.

I would agree with all the feedback you have gotten on this thread.
I just wanted to share with you that the one thing I have always followed and works very well for me is to never get too hung up on readings as the device can certainly be off on calibration or can go crazy on you eventually, even if well calibrated at first.

My simple rule is to always go by the sticks.
Are they too dry, humidity is too low.
If they are opening up at the ends and are too wet, humidity is too high.
Use the hygrometers as a guide but not a rule.
I have a radio shack remote one that works great along with Bob Stabeall's Aristocrat set and forget system. Both have different readings. Bob's version says 65% constantly while the radio shack reads 70%.
All that matters to me is that it is somewhere around that range but more importanly, the cigars all taste and feel fine.

[smokeydude]

Originally Posted by RcktS4

I beg to differ with that site...

RH myth

Great info, thanks!

[AAlmeter]

Check your D.H. On a lot of them, there is a "Max" or "Min" button that shows the, obviously, max or min %age that has occurred between the time that you put the batteries in and you pressed the button. If you accidentally pressed the Max button (assuming it has one), it will read 67% whether you take it to the Sahara or throw it in the pool.

And yes, 67% is a great place to be....but just make sure thats actually where you are.

[Stogiefanatic182]

after keeping the humi closed for almost a week, the humidity is now reading 66 on the digital translating to 69%. Still dont know why I had so much trouble getting it that high but thanks for all the help