Newbie humidor questions.

[alcook59]

I've looked at quite a few of the online guides, but still have some questions about setting my new humidor up. I currently have my hygrometers in a zip lock bag with salt/water in a cap. I have the analog gauge the humidor came with, and a digital one I purchased. So my First question is, I know the analog goes in the front (made for it), so where should I put my digital one? It has double sided tape on the back, so I'm guessing on one of the walls?

I plan to use distilled water to wipe down the inside of the box, then place a sponge with distilled water on a zip lock bag. Now after this I'm lost. What do I wait for the humidity to reach before removing the sponge? I have the humidifier it came with, should that be just set in the humidor? Also how should I fill it, and how far should I fill it? I didn't get any of the solution, or beads/tubes for the humidor, do I need them? I kind of live in BFE, so if I do in fact need the solution or beads can I place my cigars in the humidor before I get go into town to get them? Sorry for all the stupid questions, thanks ahead of time though! Any other suggestions?

[Coop D]

I usually don't wipe the walls. I just leave a bowl of Distilled water in the center of the humidor until it is seasoned.

As for the Digital, I let mine sit on one of the trays. That way I can move it around if need be, and not have any tape residue on the walls of my humidor

I would invest in some beads, or gel from Xikar. I have used both and I am very happy with both products

[Cypress]

Humidor Care

Use beads if you can. Dont buy cigars until your humi is ready. Placement of hygro can be anywhere where you can see it. The digital one will be the most accurate.

[Coop D]

Depends on the digital quality too!!!

[docruger]

Originally Posted by Coop D

I usually don't wipe the walls. I just leave a bowl of Distilled water in the center of the humidor until it is seasoned.

As for the Digital, I let mine sit on one of the trays. That way I can move it around if need be, and not have any tape residue on the walls of my humidor

I would invest in some beads, or gel from Xikar. I have used both and I am very happy with both products

ditto I agree with the new set up and a bowl of distilled. I have never used any thing but 50/50 witch works great for me. but I do hear all the time that beads or gel also work good. and good luck with your new humidor.

[Coop D]

I like my hydra the best!!! Set it and forget it!!! (think there is an infomercial like that....)

[Jack Straw]

I can only advise you on what I did, and tell you that it worked great. Hygro can go wherever you want, so long as it fits!

This was for a 50 ct humidor.

1. Charge humidity device. If it is a standard one, you just pour distilled water into it over the sink until it doesn't take any more, and then wipe it off and let it drain on a cloth for a few minutes. Put it inside the humidor.
2. Fill two clean shotglasses with distilled water, and place them in the humidor.
3. Let it sit. And sit. And sit. Mine seemed ready after 3-4 days. The hygro should read somewhat stable, and higher than what you want (should be higher than the 65-70 you eventually want). It's sort of guesswork as to when to take the stuff out, but keep in mind two things: when you take out the shotglasses, the humidity will drop down to a more "resting level", and in order for the thing to stabilize well, you need to put cigars in it!

The guy who told me this method said to leave it for 10 days, but I could not wait that long. He also said everyone on the internet is wrong

I would also upgrade from the standard humidifier to beads, I am very happy with mine. I would recommend getting more than you think you need. Try searching "heartfelt" to get mountains of info on the beads. You will be fine using the standard humidifier, but you will have to keep a closer eye on it, and it might not get you right where you want the humidity.

[alcook59]

Wow, thanks for all the quick responses! A lot of good info, another question, cigars that come in tubes should be taken out of them when placed in the humidor correct?

[Coop D]

I have heard to open the tube for air flow, others do not

[alcook59]

Originally Posted by Coop D

I usually don't wipe the walls. I just leave a bowl of Distilled water in the center of the humidor until it is seasoned.

As for the Digital, I let mine sit on one of the trays. That way I can move it around if need be, and not have any tape residue on the walls of my humidor

I would invest in some beads, or gel from Xikar. I have used both and I am very happy with both products

I went to the local Smokers Friendly when I was in town to see if they had anything. To my surprise they had two products. Xikar propylene glycol mix, and a little jar of gel crystals? They were cheap so I figured if they don't work I won't have much to loose. Now heres another question, if I use the little jar of gel crap do I still use the humidifier or not? If I should still use it, should I just fill it with this Xikar P.G. mix? It says that it is premixed and not to cut it with water? Thanks a lot!

[Coop D]

I just used the jar in my smaller humidor

[Jack Straw]

Originally Posted by alcook59

I went to the local Smokers Friendly when I was in town to see if they had anything. To my surprise they had two products. Xikar propylene glycol mix, and a little jar of gel crystals? They were cheap so I figured if they don't work I won't have much to loose. Now heres another question, if I use the little jar of gel crap do I still use the humidifier or not? If I should still use it, should I just fill it with this Xikar P.G. mix? It says that it is premixed and not to cut it with water? Thanks a lot!

You'd probably only need to use the regular humidifier if it is particularly dry outside, or if your humidor doesn't seal that well - i.e. if you are for whatever reason having trouble maintaining humidity with just the gel. If you do use it as a supplement, you can use the PG mix, and yes it is already cut with distilled water, so no need to add additional water.

On a side note, I've heard that using the PG solution with the gel humidifiers can make the gel work better, but I have no first-hand experience with this.