New Humidor -- Small -- How to Season / Prep ?? + Other

[tippytwo]

Hey All,


I am brand new to cigar smoking. I bought a small cedar humidor that can hold about 20 cigars. It came with a passive credo device. I was wondering what the best way to season this humidor would be??

I tried searching for the answer, but only came across a few threads that really didn't address a humidor of this size.

Should I wipe it down, put a bowl of water in it(how much, what size, how long etc..) or what would you all suggest??

I am very new to cigars, so descriptions and explanations would be appreciated.

Also, I bought a few cigars a few days ago before I had the humidor. I knew I was going to be keeping them for at least a week and read on the net that the closest thing to a humidor is to put a small piece of damp rolled up paper towel in an airtight bag. That's what I did, but not sure how well it's working or how long my cigars will last in this condition. I had also bought 5 more cigars that came in around the same time I got my humidor, what should I do with these while the humidor is "soaking".

Thanks a lot!!

-T2

[TU09]

First, take the paper towel out, it will ruin your cigars by over humidifying them. Just keep them in a zip lock bag for the time being or, better yet, get a water pillow from your local cigar shop and put it in an airtight tupperware container along with the cigars.

Season the humidor by setting a shotglass filled with distilled water in the bottom, charge your credo with distilled water or PG solution and stick that in there as well. When the humidity gets high enough (about 65-70%) remove the shotglass and just make sure that the humidity is fairly stable before adding your cigars.

Welcome to club stogie!

[Spacecataz]

first off you never want to wipe down your humi this can cuase the wood to splinter and even crack. second never use normal water, only use distilled water which you can find at your local smoke/cigar shop or online.maybe someone around here has a good link. otherwise you will find yourself knee deep in mold. you want to keep your temp around 75°F and your humidity at around 70% but not much higher as you will get mold, and anything lower than 50% will cuase dryness and cracking. I hope this is helpful, but I too am learning more ad more each day ...i am very much a noob

p.s. the link is only to give you an idea of what you need to maintain your humi, i went the thompson route, but I now know you will find better deals else where

http://www.thompsoncigar.com/default...6&page=product

peace out

[tippytwo]

Originally Posted by TU09

First, take the paper towel out, it will ruin your cigars by over humidifying them. Just keep them in a zip lock bag for the time being or, better yet, get a water pillow from your local cigar shop and put it in an airtight tupperware container along with the cigars.

Season the humidor by setting a shotglass filled with distilled water in the bottom, charge your credo with distilled water or PG solution and stick that in there as well. When the humidity gets high enough (about 65-70%) remove the shotglass and just make sure that the humidity is fairly stable before adding your cigars.

Welcome to club stogie!

I was reading that I should microve the shotglass/water before putting it in?? Is this advisable?? If so, how hot should I get the water and should I warm it up again after it has cooled down?

Thanks for the advice and welcome! I've already learned a lot by reading the forums here and top25cigar.

Originally Posted by Spacecataz

first off you never want to wipe down your humi this can cuase the wood to splinter and even crack. second never use normal water, only use distilled water which you can find at your local smoke/cigar shop or online.maybe someone around here has a good link. otherwise you will find yourself knee deep in mold. you want to keep your temp around 75°F and your humidity at around 70% but not much higher as you will get mold, and anything lower than 50% will cuase dryness and cracking. I hope this is helpful, but I too am learning more ad more each day ...i am very much a noob

p.s. the link is only to give you an idea of what you need to maintain your humi, i went the thompson route, but I now know you will find better deals else where

http://www.thompsoncigar.com/default...6&page=product

peace out

Cool, I bought a gallon of distilled water from the gorcery store 10 minutes ago

The analog Hygrometer that came with the humidor says I should wrap it in a damp towel until it gets to 100% humidity to "charge" it. Do I need to do this?

-T2

[Ermo]

I think microwave is a little much. It might work, but just putting it in there works fine too. The reasoning is probably that hot water evaporates quicker or can more easily be soaked up by the cedar, I dont know.

Go the ziplock bag route and you'll be good until your humis ready.

[TU09]

Originally Posted by tippytwo

I was reading that I should microve the shotglass/water before putting it in?? Is this advisable?? If so, how hot should I get the water and should I warm it up again after it has cooled down?

Thanks for the advice and welcome! I've already learned a lot by reading the forums here and top25cigar.



Cool, I bought a gallon of distilled water from the gorcery store 10 minutes ago

-T2

You can if you want. The idea behind it is if the water is forming steam than it will "charge" (moisten) the inside of the humidor faster. I don't know if it actually works or not, but I can't see how it would hurt. I did it with my first humidor but not my current one, unfortunately they were of very different sizes so I can't compare the times required.

[chuckojr]

Good question. Going through the exact same thing myself. Only my humi isn't here yet and my smokes are. Good luck tippy!!

[tippytwo]

Originally Posted by TU09

You can if you want. The idea behind it is if the water is forming steam than it will "charge" (moisten) the inside of the humidor faster. I don't know if it actually works or not, but I can't see how it would hurt. I did it with my first humidor but not my current one, unfortunately they were of very different sizes so I can't compare the times required.

how long would you suggest to keep the shot glass filled with distilled water in the humidor??

[Spacecataz]

i'v heard 4 days once, but im not sure if you microwave it first :?

[tippytwo]

Originally Posted by Spacecataz

i'v heard 4 days once, but im not sure if you microwave it first :?

4 days..wow, that will be around 10 days or so from my other cigars not being humidified.

I'm trying the microwave process, but it seems the steam is locating a spot right above the shot glass, so I'm moving it around every 20 minutes or so.

btw, the cigars I bought were an "El Rey Del Mundo Robusto Larga" and a "Gispert Robusto". Those 5 cigars were Don Diego Coronas. Once I start my full-time position (just graduated) in 2 months, I'll be able to buy a lot more

Originally Posted by chuckojr

Good question. Going through the exact same thing myself. Only my humi isn't here yet and my smokes are. Good luck tippy!!

what cigars did you get?

-T2

[chuckojr]

CAO Criollo mancha- smoked several of them while at the beach and can say that they are my fav. so far

H Upman Churchill Natural
Cohiba Lonsdale Grande Natural
Padron 3000 Maduro
Arturo Fuente Cuban Belicoso

[TU09]

I suspect you are really better off simply not microwaveing the water and not opening the humidor. The longer the top stays shut the better.

Good choice regarding the Gispert. That is an excellent starter smoke that I still enjoy on occassion. I don't have any experience with the other lines you mentioned however.

When you have some time, go ahead and post an intro over in the New Gorilla Forum.

Let me be the first to tell you, if you stick around here long, you are going to outgrow that 20ct real fast.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Here's another source for seasoning a humidor.

Doc

[tippytwo]

where's a good place to buy a digital hygrometer?

[Zenistar]

Originally Posted by tippytwo

where's a good place to buy a digital hygrometer?

I've just bought two of them from my local B&M, I also succumed to temptation and bought a Zino travel humi that I can keep in my desk drawer at the office. Fortunatly the Zino was kept inside the walk in humi of the shop so no seasoning needed