Slo-o-o-o-w Seasoning?

[NakedYoga]

I received my first humidor a week or so ago, and I've been trying to season it ever since. However, it seems to be taking an abnormally long time. I was hoping someone might be able to pick up on something I'm doing incorrectly.

I wiped the inside down using a sponge dampened with distilled water. I then charged the humidifier with the DW and closed the box with both the sponge and humidifier inside. I opened the box again about 30 hours later, noticed the sponge hadn't lost much moisture, wiped the interior down again, and closed the box (again with the sponge inside). Another 24 hours or so later, I opened the box, took out the sponge, and closed it again. In 40-48 hours, after I had received my digital hygrometer in the mail and calibrated it with the salt test, I opened the box, put the hygrometer inside, and closed the box. I opened the box again about 30 hours later just to check the RH. It was at about 89%. Another 24 hours later, I opened the box again, and the RH was about 86%. After about 72 more hours, I just now opened the box, and the RH is at 82%.

This seems to be a lot slower than what I expected, based on what I've read about seasoning a humidor, both here and elsewhere. Can anyone offer any suggestions based on reading this, or does it appear that I'm doing it right?

Just want to get some sticks into the box.

[Blaylock]

If all you are using is distilled water, you have nothing to regulate (bring down) the Rh...it will just keep going up. I would suggest getting some beads, perhaps 65% or 70%, whichever you prefer. This will help keep your Rh on an even keel.

[NakedYoga]

Actually, I misstated that. I charged the humidifier with PG solution. I used distilled water only to wipe down the Spanish cedar interior.

Why would the RH keep going up? Maybe I'm mistaken as to how the humidification process works.

[raralith]

Originally Posted by NakedYoga

Actually, I misstated that. I charged the humidifier with PG solution. I used distilled water only to wipe down the Spanish cedar interior.

Why would the RH keep going up? Maybe I'm mistaken as to how the humidification process works.

A humidifier's purpose is to hold water and slowly release it. Using PG with it allows it to absorb even more water. Wiping down your humidor for seasoning gives the cedar moisture since it is shipped relatively dry when sent to you. No where in the above processes will regulate the RH, it simply adds moisture into the environment. Coincidentally, the slow release of the water from puck type humidifiers keeps a humidor roughly at 65-70RH but you need to open it now and again so it doesn't build up from the slow release.

What beads do is regulate the RH by design. The have pores a few nano's in size which absorb and release water based on what type of beads you use. For example, 65 RH beads will want to keep all the humidity around it at 65 RH. If it's at 70 RH, it'll absorb some humidity and vice versa if it's too dry.

[raralith]

Originally Posted by NakedYoga

I received my first humidor a week or so ago, and I've been trying to season it ever since. However, it seems to be taking an abnormally long time. I was hoping someone might be able to pick up on something I'm doing incorrectly.

I wiped the inside down using a sponge dampened with distilled water. I then charged the humidifier with the DW and closed the box with both the sponge and humidifier inside. I opened the box again about 30 hours later, noticed the sponge hadn't lost much moisture, wiped the interior down again, and closed the box (again with the sponge inside). Another 24 hours or so later, I opened the box, took out the sponge, and closed it again. In 40-48 hours, after I had received my digital hygrometer in the mail and calibrated it with the salt test, I opened the box, put the hygrometer inside, and closed the box. I opened the box again about 30 hours later just to check the RH. It was at about 89%. Another 24 hours later, I opened the box again, and the RH was about 86%. After about 72 more hours, I just now opened the box, and the RH is at 82%.

This seems to be a lot slower than what I expected, based on what I've read about seasoning a humidor, both here and elsewhere. Can anyone offer any suggestions based on reading this, or does it appear that I'm doing it right?

Just want to get some sticks into the box.

I don't think I've ever season my humidors so long. I do a wipe with the spounge, set the spounge inside to sit for 24 hours, than let it sit without the spounge for 24 hours.

If I were you as of right now, I would just leave it open for half a day, and just put my cigars in. The humidor will do its work and assuming your cigars still maintained a decent RH, you'll be fine.

[NakedYoga]

Originally Posted by raralith

A humidifier's purpose is to hold water and slowly release it. Using PG with it allows it to absorb even more water. Wiping down your humidor for seasoning gives the cedar moisture since it is shipped relatively dry when sent to you. No where in the above processes will regulate the RH, it simply adds moisture into the environment. Coincidentally, the slow release of the water from puck type humidifiers keeps a humidor roughly at 65-70RH but you need to open it now and again so it doesn't build up from the slow release.

What beads do is regulate the RH by design. The have pores a few nano's in size which absorb and release water based on what type of beads you use. For example, 65 RH beads will want to keep all the humidity around it at 65 RH. If it's at 70 RH, it'll absorb some humidity and vice versa if it's too dry.

Ahh, okay. That makes a bit more sense. I guess I was under the impression that the puck humidifier did the same thing as the beads, just less efficiently. Clearly if I was an engineer/physics guy like my father I would understand, but alas, I am merely a law student. So if I were to continue with just the humidifier, should I just leave the box open for a little while, then close it for a while, and check it again later?

Looks like maybe I should just get some beads. If I do that, will the beads "work" if I pop the back of the puck off (and, if so, how would I do that without breaking it?), remove the foam, and fill it with the requisite amount of beads? I just don't want to waste space in the humidor, because it is relatively small (50-60 ct.), and my collection is starting to take flight.

Damned slope.

[Ewan154]

Originally Posted by NakedYoga

Ahh, okay. That makes a bit more sense. I guess I was under the impression that the puck humidifier did the same thing as the beads, just less efficiently. Clearly if I was an engineer/physics guy like my father I would understand, but alas, I am merely a law student. So if I were to continue with just the humidifier, should I just leave the box open for a little while, then close it for a while, and check it again later?

Looks like maybe I should just get some beads. If I do that, will the beads "work" if I pop the back of the puck off (and, if so, how would I do that without breaking it?), remove the foam, and fill it with the requisite amount of beads? I just don't want to waste space in the humidor, because it is relatively small (50-60 ct.), and my collection is starting to take flight.

Damned slope.

Hi,
Yes the beads will work ok in the puck. I opened my puck with a knife (opening the puck is the hard part!) When you get the puck open, take out the foam and then put the beads in.

There is an article here that might help- http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25122

Ewan

[raralith]

I wouldn't use the puck simply because there's less surface area compared to a nylon stocking, or better yet a mesh filter bag that almost every pet store has (in the aquirm department). If you are tight on space, check out either Heartfelt Industries which has them in tubes the size of a cigar, or Shialia (sp?) who post on these forums and sells his own beads.

But, a lot of people use the puck or floral foam and they have no problems. It's not to say that they are inferior, but I think it all comes down to what your current environ is like. Personally speaking, if you are on either extremes, too dry or wet, you want something that regulates humidity; i.e. beads. On the other hand, if you're in a place that has very little RH swings (basement, well insulated closet), the puck will work just fine and you'll have more money for cigars to boot!