Calibrating my Hygrometer

[Uban]

Hello all,

I've purchased my first humidor and am in the process of calibrating my hygrometer. I have put my hygrometer in a zip lock bag with a plastic cup which has 1 tsp of salt and a few drops of water. It's been 6 hours and the hygrometer is only reading 10 instead of 65 to 75. Is it possible that it can be off by this much? Or should I figure the hygrometer may be bad? I am also thinking of wrapping the hygrometer in a damp wash cloth just to test and see if it works at all...I just don't want to break the seal of my zip lock bag yet.

Any input is MUCH appreciated. I'm a bit new to this

*Will trade stick tips for home brewing/wine making tips.

[n2advnture]

Is it digital or analog?

The salt/water should be a "slurry". Just enough water to moisten the salt but not desolve it.

Also, zip locks are a little permeable so double bag it or use tupperware for better results.

Hope this helps!

~Mark

ps - if you aren't using a digital, i highly recommend this one!

http://www.cigarmony.com/store/produ...roducts_id=437

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[Sancho]

Welcome to the Jungle!

As for your hygro, I would probably check the batteries in the unit first and make sure its not set to a "min" memory setting. When you mix the salt solution, make sure that you use enough water to get the salt to turn into a paste and in so doing you may have to stir it with a toothpick or similar insturment. Hopefully this helped!

[Uban]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

Is it digital or analog?

The salt/water should be a "slurry". Just enough water to moisten the salt but not desolve it.

Also, zip locks are a little permeable so double bag it or use tupperware for better results.

It's analog.

This does help. I will double bag (as I have been testing the seal, I'm still skeptical) and I will also add enough water to make it more of a slurry.

Thanks!

*Will trade stick tips for home brewing/wine making tips.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

ps - if you aren't using a digital, i highly recommend this one!

http://www.cigarmony.com/store/produ...roducts_id=437

If it's analog, don't bother. They are, simply, not reliable at all. Grab a digital.

[n2advnture]

Originally Posted by Uban

I will also add enough water to make it more of a slurry.

Just make sure you don't add too much water to dissolve the salt!

Also, since it's an analog which tend to be extremely unreliable unless you spend hundreds of dollars, I'd definitely recommend a hygro. You're talking about the single most important factor in the cigar hobby....storage.

Improper storage can lead to burn, flavor and draw problems!

Check the back of the analog hygrometer, sometimes there is a tiny screw that allows you to adjust the needle position for calibration.

Hope this helps
~Mark

[Tricks]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

ps - if you aren't using a digital, i highly recommend this one!

http://www.cigarmony.com/store/produ...roducts_id=437

.

Hi Mark, how much does it cost to ship one like this to Belgium?

Tnx,
Steven

[rockyr]

I was never sure I was getting the salt/water combo correct, so I got a calibration kit like this one:

http://www.cigarmony.com/store/produ...roducts_id=403

It's good for multiple uses if you have more than one hygrometer. As others have said, definitely go digital.