Humidor Question

[Stogiefanatic182]

Ive had my desktop humi since July of 05 and a couple of days ago I decided to re season it because it wasnt holding good humidity any more, only about 60%. Ive got all my cigars in there now and the humidity is 74% and I bought a dry mistat tube because I really like them and thought it would help my humidity. My question is should I put it in now anyways to help regulate the humidity at exactly 70% with the hope it will lower the rh or should I wait until it drops? Thanks for any info

[Hammerhead]

The first thing I'd want to figure out is WHY your humidor is not holding a constant RH when it did previously.

If the change in stability corresponds to a change in the weather in your area, then that would explain a great deal. Or, if you've been going into and out of the box more frequently than normal, that too would explain it. How do you know your hygrometer isn't freaking out? But if everything is the same, I'd wonder about the seal, although short of some physical impact, I don't see that being a factor.

You don't say what humidification method you're currently using. If you're not already doing so, I'd recommend Viper's beads. I don't see that adding the humistat tube will hurt anything, but I don't believe that it will absorb moisture - I think they're one-way units, although I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Take a look at some of the variables and report back and let us know where you're at.

[Stogiefanatic182]

when I was home over christmas break the humi was reading a constant 66% and when I got back into my dorm room in late january the rh dropped to 60% and I tried everything to get it back up. Nothing worked so I decided to re season it thinking the wood was so dry it was absorbing all the humidity. My digital radio shack is fine only 3% off. I figured the humidity will eventually go down because the cigars should suck up some of the humidity and I put a couple drops of pg solution in the humidifier. The reason I bought the dry mistat tube is because I have one in my cooler and it keeps a perfect 69% and I figured that would help my desktop once the humidity starts to drop and level out.

[Hammerhead]

OK...

Hygrometer 3% high, or 3% low?
Adding PG isn't the answer if you're too LOW on RH
I still STRONGLY recommend beads.

You were away for many weeks, it may take equally long to restore.

[Stogiefanatic182]

it read 72 on the salt test so 3% low. I only added two drops of pg thinking the rh would drop from a reading of 71% on my digital which equals 74% to somewhere of a reading around 67% equaling 70%. I have kept the lid open seveal times to get a reading of 66% on the digital but after shutting the lid it goes back up again. I dont have any room for beads and I really like the dry mistat I just want the humidity to drop before putting it in.

[Hammerhead]

Well, not knowing the volume of foam you have, it's impossible to say if two drops would amount to any noticable difference in RH.

I know you're probably sick of hearing this, but I'd really encourage you to just get Viper's beads. I have 2 humidors and a "rubbermaidador" and all of them are rock solid at 65%. There's no guesswork on how much water to add, there's no worrying about my cigars. And when the RH falls off a bit, I put the beads back in a ziplok bag with a damp sponge to recharge 'em and WHAM. Back on track.

It really beats having to worry about your cigars, there's no spill fuss or mess of PG solution, and it's SO worth it to protect what is actually an significant investment in dollars and pleasure.