Gah! I can't get my travel Humidor over 50% Humidity

[Horselington]

So I have a small travel humidor that I've been using for a while as I don't really have the space for anything larger. It came with one of those silly little disc things that has florist foam in it or whatever. So I waited a few days before I put my sticks into it and then just the other day I got a digital Hygrometer and the Hygrometer says that it's 70 degrees and between 49 and 54 % humidity. Keep in mind that I've only been opening the humidor to check the readings about twice a day, which should be plenty of time for the Hygrometer to get an accurate (or semi-accurate) reading on it.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I took my cigars out and put them in a humidor bag for keeping while I'm getting this stupid thing to the right humidity level.

Anyone have any suggestions apart from humidity beads, or should I just suck it up and pick some up? Also, what's the best place to get said beads?

E

Edit: Here are some pics. Yes the humidifier is in sitting in a plastic bag as it tends to leak a bit from the bottom even if its not full. Oh yeah, that mark that looks wet, actually isn't.

[Kayak_Rat]

Possibly the hygro is off?

In europe, that is the preferred humidity for cigars.

[Horselington]

Originally Posted by Kayak_Rat

Possibly the hygro is off?

In europe, that is the preferred humidity for cigars.

Any help in recalibrating the Hygro?

Anyone have a prefered humidity for cigars here in FL?

[tchariya]

How long do you think you will be traveling with your humidor? You just might want to get a water pillow or a humid-a-pak things to slip in their and save the space for lighter/cutter.

[adsantos13]

Originally Posted by Kayak_Rat

In europe, that is the preferred humidity for cigars.

Really? Sorry to hijack but I'd be interested to hear more about this....

[CohibaStore]

My favorite Chinese travel humidor - i sold tons of these. I ask the following:

Has it been primed?
Do you use it all the time?
How many cigars do you keep in it at one time?
Does it seal tightly? Some of these these basic units aren't really tight and should be kept in big baggie themselves to help keep moisture in.

Most digital hygrometers cannot be calibrated so you should do the salt test and see if its off - my instructions here: http://stores.ebay.com/Cohiba-Cigar-...tructions.html

DDT

[Horselington]

It has been primed.
It is my only humidor at the moment.
Usually 10-12.
It does seal tightly.

I will do the salt test on the hygrometer as soon as I can.

Thanks!

E

Originally Posted by CohibaStore

My favorite Chinese travel humidor - i sold tons of these. I ask the following:

Has it been primed?
Do you use it all the time?
How many cigars do you keep in it at one time?
Does it seal tightly? Some of these these basic units aren't really tight and should be kept in big baggie themselves to help keep moisture in.

Most digital hygrometers cannot be calibrated so you should do the salt test and see if its off - my instructions here: http://stores.ebay.com/Cohiba-Cigar-...tructions.html

DDT

[Tricks]

Originally Posted by Kayak_Rat

Possibly the hygro is off?

In europe, that is the preferred humidity for cigars.

Who told you that? E.g. in Holland they tend to keep there rh between 70% - 72%.

[mhsrunner]

I assume primed means the same thing as seasoned?..

[wharfrathoss]

if your humidification element is in a baggie, it's not wonder that the RH won't rise-did you mean sitting on a baggie?-i have the same travel humi & had no trouble w/it-maybe the hygro is off like someone said above?-until i got beads i had issues w/keeping the RH from getting too high using the included element

[Horselington]

Originally Posted by wharfrathoss

if your humidification element is in a baggie, it's not wonder that the RH won't rise-did you mean sitting on a baggie?-i have the same travel humi & had no trouble w/it-maybe the hygro is off like someone said above?-until i got beads i had issues w/keeping the RH from getting too high using the included element

It's sitting ON the baggie, just so it doesnt leak into the cedar

E

[RPB67]

Do you realy need to worry about it ??

Your cigars will last 7-10 days in that humidor and be fine.

You need longer time than that for a travel humidor ???

[Horselington]

Originally Posted by RPB67

Do you realy need to worry about it ??

Your cigars will last 7-10 days in that humidor and be fine.

You need longer time than that for a travel humidor ???

Well it's my only humidor at the moment, so I'd like to be able keep them longer than 7-10 days if need be.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by tchariya

How long do you think you will be traveling with your humidor? You just might want to get a water pillow or a humid-a-pak things to slip in their and save the space for lighter/cutter.

Don't mistake a travel humidor for regular one. I've used old cigar boxes with a humid-a-pak & ziplock bag for a week or two with no problems.

The puddle stain around the Credo should be of concern more than the RH...