boveda or salt test

[Sigarz]

I was wondering which would be the more accurate to use for calibration boveda paks or the salt method?

[Hot Stuff x]

Originally Posted by Sigarz

I was wondering which would be the more accurate to use for calibration boveda paks or the salt method?

In theory it shouldn't matter as they both give you the same result. However, I have used the salt method and while accurate, I always wonder did I use enough water or maybe too much. Using the Boveda means you don't have to wonder about that.

[tx_tuff]

Boveda makes a calibration kit. It comes with a small bag and a small Boveda pack, I have used it and it works great. Plus you can reuse it as much as you want for a couple months.

[GJProductions]

Sorry if I am being a noob, but I am trying to learn, is this talking about calibrating hygrometer? Any direction to another thread I should be reading? I am interested to learn.

Thank you for the help

[Dgar]

The salt test is easy....

Take a small container, exampie the lid from a gal. of milk fill with table salt, a couple drops of water, it should be a dry paste, not soupy, take this salt mixture place in a small air tight container with your hygrometer, let this sit for 8-12 hrs.... the RH Humidity should be reading 75 % if not that is how far out of calibration your Hygrometer is There are some Hygros that are adjustable, others you'll just have to make a note of how "off" your hygrometer is....

Word of advice salt test you hygros about every six months and forget about it, dont stress over 2 or 3 % it can make you crazy..... if your cigars are smoking well, all's good.... Use beads as your humidifier and storing cigars is all most foolproof.

You should test your hygrometers while your waiting on those extractions to heal, sorry to bring up a sore subject, hope your feeling better.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by Dgar

The salt test is easy....

Take a small container, exampie the lid from a gal. of milk fill with table salt, a couple drops of water, it should be a dry paste, not soupy, take this salt mixture place in a small air tight container with your hygrometer, let this sit for 8-12 hrs.... the RH Humidity should be reading 75 % if not that is how far out of calibration your Hygrometer is There are some Hygros that are adjustable, others you'll just have to make a note of how "off" your hygrometer is....

Word of advice salt test you hygros about every six months and forget about it, dont stress over 2 or 3 % it can make you crazy..... if your cigars are smoking well, all's good.... Use beads as your humidifier and storing cigars is all most foolproof.

You should test your hygrometers while your waiting on those extractions to heal, sorry to bring up a sore subject, hope your feeling better.

Except the time part. It is best to salt test for no less than 24 hours and 36 is even better. Often times you will get a 75 reading at 10 - 15 hours only to have it change in the next 10 - 15 hours.

Or you could get beads and throw the hygrometers away.

[K Baz]

Not to pick on anyone - although it might seem I am.

I say spend the 3-5 dollars and get the calibration kit. They are accurate and save you the hassel of messing around with science experiments (unless you like that sort of stuff). They are good for 6 months and use them over and over and $ 4 (average) is a cheap price for piece of mind.

I think, and I am often wrong, that calibration kits are like distilled water sure it cost a bit more and it might be harder to get but if you spend $ 1000.00 in a year on cigars $ 27.00 for a digital hygrometer, distilled water, and a calibration kit only makes sense.

Sorry for the rant

[SMOKE20]

I would go boveda, Guaranteed to work. they make a great product

[bigtattoo79]

I done two test on the same hydro for (36 hrs)
One test salt and one test boveda cal pak. And they both came out the same +2% on the hydro.
Either test will work thats for sure.

The only test I will use for now on is the boveda cal pak. No fuss no mess and works for a couple months. Worth every bit of $4.00.

Now I dont know what my advice is worth LOL.


Thanks Lance

[e-man]

Salt is cheap and just as accurate as the boveda calibration packs. If you're having drastic rH swings when you calibrate, then you're actually having temperture swings.

Always perform your calibrations in a constant environment, like a closet.

[bartolomeo]

I have done both ways and Boveda is the best for me I have found

Set it and forget it is the way I look at it

Bart

[apevia]

I have used the salt test twice. I have 70% beads and my hygrometer is reading 69% and its driving me nuts. It's an adjustable one and I can't get it to read 70! It's either 69 or 71...I have a Hygro-Set, any tips?

[Blackcat]

I am testing both methods right now with a few different hygrometers, the "Little Havana" & one that I got form Tampa Humidor Square digital (with adjuster knob). On the "Little Havana" both the Boveda & salt test were exactly the same. I have come the decision that the adjustable one sucks & is all over the dial on multiple runs in both tests. Gonna try to pick up a few of the one's recommended @ Wal-Mart & test them next. But as far as I can tell both tests are spot on =. That & Both test are very easy.

[e-man]

Originally Posted by apevia

I have used the salt test twice. I have 70% beads and my hygrometer is reading 69% and its driving me nuts. It's an adjustable one and I can't get it to read 70! It's either 69 or 71...I have a Hygro-Set, any tips?

This sounds like a chemistry lab where your experiment didn't work right. If your readings don't match expectations, change the value.

Your humidor could legitimately be fluctuating. As I've said before...These aren't magic beads. Calibrate you hygrometer using salt in a SEALED environment. Then, whatever it reads is what it reads. If you think the hygrometer is off, then salt test it again to see if it drifted.


Who says your 70% beads will always maintain 70%? There are several factors that can make them run out of tolerance. Temperature swings, ambient humidity changes, humidor quality, seasoning, neurotically opening your humidor every 10 minutes to check, etc...

Maybe you're running 69.9% but it reads 69% since it's only has 1% precision...who knows if it rounds the value or throws away the decimal place.

Most hygrometers are rated +- 2%, which means that 68-72 could be 70% dead on. How accurate can cheap Chinese electronics be?

Don't get upset about a small fluctuation. This hobby is for relaxation. The sole purpose of using these cheap hygrometers is to make sure that nothing is DRASTICALLY wrong. If you want a laboratory grade hygrometer, then get the kind with a seismograph needle, like you find in museums. I'd rather spend the money on cigars.