Humidor Question

[NewbeeSmoke]

Hello, I am a new to the humidor owner circle. I am having a problem keeping my humidity above 60%. I have calibrated the hygrometer by doing the salt test. Left it in the Ziploc bag for about 18 hours and it reached 75%. I then placed the hygrometer back on the humidor and added humidity jar with gel made my Xikar and some 50/50 solution in a small Tupperware cup so as to season the humidor. I left it in there for two days and then added my 60 or so cigars and the humidity has stayed right at 60%. I don't have access to any distilled water here in Iraq so the 50/50 solution is the best I can do. I also did the light test and the humidor seals properly. Any suggestion on how I can raise my humidity just a bit more. The air here is very dry and the temps are reaching well above 100 degrees, although the spot where the humidor is the temperature is about 69 degrees. I have ordered a new digital hygrometer and new humidor, but I don't know if that will be over kill by adding the new humidor and leaving the humidty jar in there. The humidor is a Toscana Rosewood 100 cigar.

[OtterAKL4987]

I'm no expert but I would think because of the ultra-dry climate, you need to give it longr to season. Some gorillas here season theirs for up to a week and thats in a much more humid climate. Give it time, if the humi seals up ok you should be ok. Welcome to the jungle!

[Blaylock]

60% is in the tolerable range. As a matter of fact some people store their cigars at this humidity. Your ok for now, but with some more time, as already mentioned, you should start to see the humidity climb. Remember seasoning takes time especially since you added a bunch of cigars which may have been a bit on the dry side and are probably "soaking up" humidity.

Give it a week or so and see what happens. In the meantime you are still in a range that is tolerable.

[drawfour]

Yeah, I think you should be fine. Seasoning can take a while, and with that dry climate, probably longer. Give it at least another week and see if the humidity has risen.

Also, if you're using an analog hygrometer (sounds like you are), even if it was adjusted spot-on at 75%, it can easily be off at the other levels. Wait for the digital hygro, make sure you do the 75% test to know how far "off" it is, and trust that.

Welcome to Club Stogie!

[NewbeeSmoke]

Thanks all for you advise. My only question is if I should leave the cigars in or take them out? As far as letting it season longer does that mean not opening the humidor at all during this time?

[Ron1YY]

Being in a very dry climate plus adding sticks that fast is the reason. Give it another week or two with the sticks in it and you should be fine.

Ron

[Tidefan73]

Originally Posted by Ron1YY

Being in a very dry climate plus adding sticks that fast is the reason. Give it another week or two with the sticks in it and you should be fine.

Ron

Great advice and I totally agree!!! [SIZE=1]FWIW[/SIZE]

[drawfour]

Originally Posted by Ron1YY

Being in a very dry climate plus adding sticks that fast is the reason. Give it another week or two with the sticks in it and you should be fine.

Ron

Yup. And if the sticks were already dry from being shipped in that hot and dry environment, it will take even longer to stabilise. No big deal, just smoke them when you want and give it some time to stabilise.

[hova45]

60 is good if your gonna smoke all you cigars without right away i prefer 63 65 more on the 65 side

[NewbeeSmoke]

Thanks for all of your advise, again. I guess I just need to be patient, kind of like when smoking a fine cigar, sit back and enjoy.