seasoning a humidor and temp storage questions

[Gabe]

I'm new here and new to cigars. I'm seasoning my first humidor. I put a shot glass of water, humidified the humidifier, and wiped down the wood with a damp paper towel, all with distilled water. Its been almost two days, I had to open it once because my humidifier velcro adhesive would not stick to the wood so I used superglue. I then dampened the wood once again and its been sitting for about 20 hours since. I'm wondering how much longer till I can put my sticks in there. besides the hygrometer showing 70%, should the wood feel damp when its ready for my sticks to go in? I think I'll wait till tomorrow afternoon to open the humidor and check on things.

in the meantime, I have my cigars(8 of them) in a large ziplock bag with a damp paper towel inside on a plate not touching the cigars. is that ok for another day?(they've been in there for two days) i re-dampened the papertowel a little yesterday.

thanks for any help!

[NCRadioMan]

If you have an analog hygro, don't rely on it. They are crap. Get a digital. When the humidity is steady for several days at your desired level, 70 is way too high for me, load it up. As long as cigars are properly humidified going into the bag, they should be ok for several weeks.

[Darrell]

The wood should not feel damp at this point unless you put too much water on it. You should have wiped it down with just a tad bit of water. The sticks will be fine for another day, after tomorrow the box should be ready for sticks long term.

[scottw]

I agree and would keep the RH around 65.

[Gabe]

thanks speedy info. when I opened the box yesterday to fix the adhesive, the wood was not damp, but I just wondered if the wood would feel damp when the humidor is finished it's seasoning.

I have a digital hygrometer, its not a very accurate one, +/- 5%. but it does have a memory feature.

[NCRadioMan]

Sounds like you are good to go. Load it up. Oh, how big is the humidor? And be sure to read up on humidity beads.

As far as temp. Try to keep them at 70 or below. Keep the humidor out of direct sunlight and in the coolest place in the house.

[Texan in Mexico]

Lots of good info here already.

I just want to 2nd what has been said -

I personally was not happy with 70 humidity - my sticks smoke so much better at 60 - 65 and check out the beads, the way to go, no doubt about it.

[Gabe]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Sounds like you are good to go. Load it up. Oh, how big is the humidor? And be sure to read up on humidity beads.

As far as temp. Try to keep them at 70 or below. Keep the humidor out of direct sunlight and in the coolest place in the house.

I can't keep them that low, I'm in south florida and my room is about 79F. Its a little 20 capacity with a floral sponge I believe its called. I'll order some beads if I have trouble with the humidity level.

I'm gonna give it till tomorrow afternoon before I open it up and hopefully put my cigars in. I'll be sure to post back, and take some pics if anyone cares

[NCRadioMan]

I know lots of botl in FL that don't worry too much but you have a much increased risk of tobacco beetles hatching at every degree above 70. 72-73 I wouldn't worry but above that scares me. Might want to look into getting a wine cooler to store cigars if and when you get into this hobby heavily. And if you stick around here, you will. Also, you might want to consider freezing your cigars for extra protection.

This is what beetles can do:
http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/967

[Gabe]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

I know lots of botl in FL that don't worry too much but you have a much increased risk of tobacco beetles hatching at every degree above 70. 72-73 I wouldn't worry but above that scares me. Might want to look into getting a wine cooler to store cigars if and when you get into this hobby heavily. And if you stick around here, you will. Also, you might want to consider freezing your cigars for extra protection.

This is what beetles can do:
http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/967

ehh man I hope that never happens. have your buddys in florida had any problems with them? I'm about 3 hours north of miami.

about freezing them, after I buy them would I freeze them for a day and then put them in the humidor?

[NCRadioMan]

There are many here that live in south FL and they have had no problems that I know of. It may never happen but I've seen so many threads here about beetles hatching that it freaks me out a bit.

Search "freezing" and you will get an idea. Also, this thread http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2898 It's a sticky(be sure to familiarize yourself with all the sticky threads)!

Double ziplock bag 'em, freeze for 3-7 days (some say 3 days, others say up to 7), let them sit a room temp for 24 hours then back in the humidor. Rest for a week and they are ready to go.

[chip]

I kept my house in Texas at 78, it is way too expensive to set any lower.
In several years, I saw exactly two beetles, and they were in one cigar from a local shop that rolled their own. This happened when I screwed up and the temp crept over 80 for a few days, and the humidity spiked a bit.

I agree with Greg, anything over 72 does increase the possibility. I would suggest you watch closely, which is usually not a problem for new smokers as they tend to worry way too much.

I have never, and will never, freeze cigars.
I also prefer lower 60's RH.

YMMV

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by chip

I would suggest you watch closely, which is usually not a problem for new smokers as they tend to worry way too much.

Yeah, I hope I didn't freak you out too much Gabe. That was not my intention.

[larryinlc]

I would still consider a small wine cooler for your small humidor. They're cheap, and efficient. Heck, I use one here in Wisconsin year round just for piece of mind. It's so easy to keep these things at 68 degrees. For example, this little Emerson on clearance at Target will do the job. I know, it's not very pretty, but it will work. you could also pick one off ebay cheaper yet.

http://www.target.com/Emerson-8-Bott.../dp/B000SAFTBC

Larry

[Gabe]

Hmm, I'll get a wine cooler if I ever get the beetles, or when/if my 20 count humidor becomes too small. Besides the little hole in the cigar, what else should I look out for?

With the wine cooler, do you have to put a humidor in there, or can you just put trays?


NCRadioMan, you didn't freak me out but it does raise more concern, I'm just wanting to get my sticks into the humidor first, hopefully the damn thing will be ready tomorrow.