Coolidor humidity problem

[rlaliberty]

My cooler with an ample amount of 65% beads will not go over 61%. I have a half pound in there and I should only need 1/3. Any ideas? I'm getting some cracking wrappers...

[Jack Straw]

Is anything keeping the lid from sealing properly? Have you inspected for leaks/holes?

[fiddlegrin]

Arrrgh! Since wrappers are cracking (shudder) shouldn't we get some moisture in there pronto?

Howz about some distilled water on a sponge and wipe the sides of the cooler and then leave it in there even. Might want to consider weighing down the top to help it seal...

Gotta act fast to save the stock, get it stabilized and into a different storage situation. Even if it's ziplock bags.

Then work on the cooler replacement?

Go go go!

[Jack Straw]

some vaseline around the lid would probably help it seal perfectly, if that is indeed the problem.

[K Baz]

I would assume your humidity is not 61 % if your getting wrappers cracking. I keep my Humi, on purpose, at 61 % and many actually perfer humidity around this level.

Have you calibrated your Hygro - sorry if its a stupid question but I always believe with starting with the basics.

[jledou]

Are the wrappers cracking while they are inside of the cooler or when you take them out to smoke them?

[karmaz00]

have you done the flashlight test for leaky holes

[rlaliberty]

Hygro is calibrated. Sometimes its 1 off but thats usually the most. Wrappers are cracking only on some smokes once they are out and being smoked. It seems to be sealing decently enough. I even had a shot glass of distilled water in there for a few days and it only went to 62...

[Jonesee]

It sounds like your wrappers are cracking as you smoke them. If that is the case, you have too much humidity. 61% should not create a problem with any cigar I have ever smoked. it is common for some to store at that level, and others dry box to get to that level. If they are really dry, much lower than 60%, they smoke hot or fast, but unlikely to crack.

Take another look at your hygrometer. Is it analog or digital? If it isn't digital, when you get a chance, you should get one. If it is digital: When was the last time you changed batteries? and, you should salt test it again very carefully.

The symptoms you describe are not those of an underhumidified cigar, unless you can actually feel and hear them crunch when you squeeze the foot.

A cigar dry enough to crack would look and feel dehydrated.

[Thumbs]

I keep two moist sponges in a ziplock bag with holes poked through them in the winter, in my coolador, they keep my beads at 60-70% clear and my RH stays around 70%. I rotate them every month to keep my beads balanced, I take them out in June - Sept when the Temp goes up out here. My rh goes down a little, which I want because I'm paranoid about mold.

Anyway try putting two or three MOIST sponges in different ziplock bags with holes punched through, and place them equally spaced in your coolador and your RH should pickup...if not then you definitly have a leak somewhere.

[jledou]

Are you smoking outside or in the garage where the temps are low and the humidty lower?

If the wrapper is delicate and the outside conditions are cold and low humidty I have had sticks crack even at 62-65% humidty in the humi.

[OracleSmoke]

Is it only the sensitive wrappers that are cracking? Like rare Cammies?

It's either leaking or being absorbed.

[slyder]

Originally Posted by OracleSmoke

Is it only the sensitive wrappers that are cracking? Like rare Cammies?

It's either leaking or being absorbed.

I have some cigars that crack (feel dry to the touch) in a 70% RH humidor! Others are perfect...just these Tabamex.

[rlaliberty]

Yeah mostly cammies and connies. What is this flashlight test? Just toss it in and see if I see light? Also, wouldn't a shot glass of distilled water work the same as a moist sponge?

EDIT: threw a flashlight in and i can definitely see light coming through at the handle. next step from here? weather stripping?

[royhubbs]

Originally Posted by rlaliberty

Yeah mostly cammies and connies. What is this flashlight test? Just toss it in and see if I see light? Also, wouldn't a shot glass of distilled water work the same as a moist sponge?

EDIT: threw a flashlight in and i can definitely see light coming through at the handle. next step from here? weather stripping?

either that or a new cooler?