Hygrometer Question

[Volker]

I got a Hygroset II and just ordered a Weather Station system after I tried to calibrate all analog ones.
For one, they were al over the place and second, when I got them out of the back and put them on the table, the needles jumped around...

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by mrsmitty

So I place both hygrometers in my humidor right beside each other and one was reading 66% while the the other was at 70% for god sakes what the hell is wrong.

There is nothing wrong. Your hygro simply isnt calibrated. It's -4% so, at 66% youre actually at your goal of 70%. The other one is accurate, so let it go.

On the newer Xikars, just hold the red button down for 5sec and it will reset to 75%. Older ones, and the Madelaine, you have to remove the battery and it resets to 75%. This is best done while INSIDE the calibration bag. It's a little tricky to remove and replace the battery through the bag, but it can be done.

Rest easy. Youre fine.

Edit: I just noticed in your previous post, your hygro was actually -5%. That means that one is 5 off and the other is only 1% off. Recalibrate accordingly. Another thing is, now that youre using beads, you will find the hygros superfluous.

[apevia]

You can get a cheap one at walmart for around $6. Good enough to do the job.

[pontiacbird]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Edit: I just noticed in your previous post, your hygro was actually -5%. That means that one is 5 off and the other is only 1% off. Recalibrate accordingly. Another thing is, now that youre using beads, you will find the hygros superfluous.

I still think hygros are a necessity until you get a consistent environment for the cigars. Even then, still somewhat of a necessity.

When i first seasoned my humi, I had no idea, but I had the humidity wayyy up to 95%. Prior to getting beads, I just waited for this thing to drop humidity, and it settled to about 77-80 prior to myself getting beads.

So, I finally got beads, but the humidity did not drop as much as i thought it would. Reason being was because the beads were too saturated, and could not absorb any more moisture. In my experience, it's necessary to dry out the beads several times, and keep monitoring the moisture, until you get a consistent reading.

So, in short, IMO, i would keep the hygro, and not take the beads as fool proof.

[e-man]

Xikar has a lifetime warranty. Go exchange it at your local shop and see if it works any better before you spend more money. I have 2 of them and both are always within 1 point. If you have corrosion on the battery, then you were probably over humid or got a leaky battery at some time. Battery corrosion cannot be blamed on the unit.


You could get a nice cigars instead of wasting your money on the POS Walmart unit. I've bought one and it DRIFTS constantly. Every time I calibrate it, it's off by a different amount. One day it will be 7 point off, and another day it will only be 2 point off, then 5 point then next time. I could build a random number generator that would be more accurate than that piece of junk.

Also, cheaper units are only accurate in a specific rH and temperature range. The more you deviate from the sweet spot, the worse they read.

[RiceEatin2010GT]

Originally Posted by mrsmitty

Ok I'm starting to get irritated. I done a salt test on both of my digital hygrometers after 36 hours they both read 71% let them both sit and put them in again for another 36 hours both are at 71 again, but the thing is I'd look at them periodically I remember seeing them forever at 72, 73, 74 then for the longest time at 71 and never budged from there.

So I place both hygrometers in my humidor right beside each other and one was reading 66% while the the other was at 70% for god sakes what the hell is wrong.

salt testing DIGITAL components???? Ive done some reading and especially the caliber III says NOT to salt test it.... My vote is to buy a caliber III and call it a day. I got one not to long ago and discovered my cigar oasis XL is 3-4% off

[mrsmitty]

Thanks everyone for your input. I salt tested the xikar and its now up running smooth, I also bought a caliber III and its right on point as well. I have since traded my digital humi care humidifier and went to using 65% heartfelt beads and am very pleased.

[e-man]

Originally Posted by RiceEatin2010GT

salt testing DIGITAL components???? Ive done some reading and especially the caliber III says NOT to salt test it.... My vote is to buy a caliber III and call it a day. I got one not to long ago and discovered my cigar oasis XL is 3-4% off

How do you know your oasis is off, and not the Caliber III? Blind faith? You used to have blind faith in your Oasis didn't you? Have you been happy with your smokes before the Caliber III? Have you tested your Oasis to see if it is actually 4% off? What if you actually like your smokes 4% higher than you thought you did? People put too much emphasis on Relative humidity.


Please realize that you're not gong to find a reasonably accurate hygrometer for under $1,000. Most units are rated +-2%. That means a 4% variation (2 higher and 2 lower), when your unit is displaying the exact same number. Then, most units are only accurate withing certain ranges, and may not be designed for a cigar-friendly climate. Please don't expect these cheap Chinese units to be dead on? But that doesn't mean that some units can't be more accurate than others...even if they're the same model.

You just want to know if you're at risk of growing mold or drying out your sticks. Especially, when setting up a new humidor. You certainly don't want to panic for no reason, and screw up a good thing because your hygrometer was way off. You need to salt test to know how much faith to put into this device, before making a major decision concerning the welfare of your collection.

Using salt to test your hygrometer shouldn't be a worry. Salt has a higher melting temperature than most metals. To evaporate, salt must reach temperatures that you don't commonly find on the surface of the earth. So you don't have to worry about salt evaporating...just spilling.

In fact, most Non-Glycols humidifiers are salt based, including favorites such as Heartfelt Beads and Boveda packs. Taste a couple of beads if you don't believe me...and don't ask how I know this. If the Caliber III will be damaged by a salt test, then it will be damaged by these humidification methods as well. Luckily, many people before you have tried this combination without any problems, so don't sweat the small stuff.


One significant factor that nobody considers when discussing relative humidity is temperature. There's a reason they EVERY digital hygrometer also displays temperature. WARM AIR HOLD MORE MOISTURE THAN COLD AIR. Relative humidity is the measurement of how much moisture is present, RELATIVE to the amount of moisture the air is capable of holding at that temperature.


People will say they prefer their cigars at n% humidity, or that their hygrometer won't stablize when calibrating, but they don't ever mention temperature when they tell you their humidity. Air reading 65% at 75F will contain more water than air reading 65% at 60F. If your temperature drops suddenly, then your rH climbs until the moisture comes out of the air as condensation. You can see how your rH can change radically within minutes, yet the water content in your cigar never changed.

Does your temperature stay rock solid all day? All week? All year? You rH doesn't either. Maybe that's why someone can't get a steady reading when you salt test for more than a few hours. So why bother using a hygrometer at all?

You have to take a step back and look at it like a fish tank. When you first get a tank, most people need to test the water a lot to make sure that nothing is running out of control, else ALL your fish may die. But once you get your tank established, you won't ever need a test kit, if you maintain it properly. If you don't know how to maintain it, you will need to keep testing until you figure it out. Aquarium test kits are horribly inaccurate as well, but they work well enough to alert you to a problem.


Similarly, hygrometers are intended to alert to you to hostile conditions for cigars. Once you you figure a method to keep your smokes in an acceptable RANGE, you could throw the hygrometer away. If you interact with your cigars on a regular basis, then you will know right away if your humidor is working properly. But, if you're not experienced enough to tell by feeling a cigar, or don't open a humidor very often, it's nice to know at a moments glance whether you have a problem to worry about.


According to my hygrometer, my humidity changes up to 9 points between winter and summer (62-71). However, I find that my smokes always draw easily, smoke straight, and taste the same. Maybe the total moisture content of the cigar changes and maybe is doesn't. I don't worry about it, or spend needless money to find out so longs as they still smoke great. Cigars are for relaxation and enjoyment, so don't worry needlessly.

[RiceEatin2010GT]

very nice post and i am very aware of this but when i have a FULL bowl of water in my humidor and th oasis is only reading 70.8% its as clear as day the oasis is way off. Right now my oasis is set on 65.5% and its holding humidity very good. My caliber III says 69% so taking all into account i think its just right.