Boveda packs

[weigle]

I had a cheap humidifier that I replaced with some 72% Boveda packs. Since I have done so, the level of humidity has dropped to 65%. I bought these things because I was tired of second guessing the humidifier.

Here are the tech specs:

I have a new 150-count humidor with about 3 tins of pipe tobacco and 9 cigars in it right now. (I'm starting my collection, but since humidity problems have plagued me I've been smoking the cigars to "save them" from drying out.

I followed Bovedas "how many do I need" chart and have the appropriate number of packs in the humidor. . . 4.

I seasoned my humidor 2 times and thought it was ok. When the humidifier was in the rH fluctuated between 70-77%, which spawned my decision to use the packs.

I have TWO digital hydrometers so I can check that they agree and I calibrate them weekly.

I open my humidor about 3x a day to check rH levels.

I have a shelf in the top layer my humidor about 1" deep on which two Broveda packs sit, and I have two packs in the bottom which are slightly over-lapping on one side.



So, I'm at a loss, mentally and financially if I don't fix this rH problem. Any suggestions from experience? Is the small shelf a problem? It does have "vent" slots in it.

[madurolover]

Best advice I can give you is to purchase some beads from Heartfelt Industries.

Sounds like you have the packs placed in the appropriate spots.

[zeavran1]

Might be a problem with not having a tight seal on humidor.

[madurolover]

Also, I forgot to mention that 65% is an excellent number for humidity.

[eljimmy]

Actually..... Boveda recommends 6 packets for a 150 humi. Might be a seal issue also. You have to allow 3 to 4% escape in a wood humidor. I use 72% packs in mine and with the 3 to 4% escape, it sits at a solid 69% I don't open it as much either because Bovedas take a bit to recover.

[Tarks]

Also agree. 65% is a perfect humidity.

[tx_tuff]

Yeah 65 is a great place to keep it, also when you add more cigars that may go up a notch or 2 as they well help hold the humidity. But like Donnie said get the beads. While I don't think they work any better (I would say they are both great) they will save you money in the long run.

[e-man]

Originally Posted by weigle

I seasoned my humidor 2 times and thought it was ok. When the humidifier was in the rH fluctuated between 70-77%, which spawned my decision to use the packs.

...snip...

I open my humidor about 3x a day to check rH levels.

When you say you seasoned your humidor, what does that mean? It should mean that you place your humidifier(s) inside and leave it closed for a week straight. Then check to see if the box is up to the proper rH. If not, let it go a few more days without opening it and check it again. Once it reaches the desired rH, let it go a few more days to make sure you're stable. Larger boxes take longer to season than smaller ones. A couple of weeks is not out of the ordinary, depending on your environment.

Just because you got the air to the proper rH, it doesn't mean that the wood has equalized (especially if you keep opening an empty humidor). That's why you have to leave it untouched for at least a week. You need stable rH in the air for a prolonged period to get the mass of the wood to reach the same level. If it won't stabilize after a couple of week of being untouched, then you need to look at the integrity of the humidor.

In the mean time, I assume you have your sticks and pipe tobacco in a bag or tupperware. Put a hygrometer in there so you know what the rH of your tobacco is. This is very important since the tobacco has more mass and holds more moisture than the empty humidor. If your sticks are way off, it will throw your humidor way off as well. If yor sticks are low, then throw a boveda in there to stabilize them BEFORE they go in the humidor. If they're high, then you need to open the bag several times a day until they are in a good range.

Once you have a humidor at the right level and your tobacco at the right level, everything should work out nicely and should be stable. But, DON'T OPEN AN EMPTY HUMIDOR 3x a DAY!!! All of your humid air rises out of the box the instant you open it. Then, your humidifier(s) have to work overtime to get all that air back into tolerance.

If your humidor is empty, then the entire volume is replaced and must be re-conditioned every time you open it. If you have a humidor full of sticks, there is very little air to exchange, and it will recover much faster. If you don't have enough sticks, then put some empty cedar boxes in there to get rid of that air space. If you're going to use empty boxes then it's best to season these boxes as you're seasoning the humidor.


ALSO, note the temp when you note the rH. Temp and rH are directly connected, so a swing in temp will cause a swing in rH. If you don't have a stable temp, then move the humidor to a closet that stays shut.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by weigle

...
I have a new 150-count humidor with about 3 tins of pipe tobacco and
...

Do not put pipe baccy tins INSIDE a humidor. Sealed tins do perfectly in a dark drawer or corner. If opened, get some mason jars or other airtight container and put the baccy into that and leave out of the 'dor.

Your tins will rust and make a mess in there. Open tins may ooze odors, making your sticks smell like pipe tobacco