Seasoning a New Humi when using Beads

[icehog3]

I ordered my 300 count humi (about a week after ordering the 100 and realizing it was way too small, even for a newbie), and have a question. I plan of using the humidity beads that so many of you have recommeded and have worked well in my small humi. My question is this: How should I season a humi where a humidifier will not be used.....any and all insight is appreciated!!

[Scott M]

IIRC, wipe the inside cedar with a CLEAN sponge and distilled water enough to dampen the cedar...not so it's sopping, just has a color change.

Hygrometer inside overnight, maybe a small dish of DW inside if it's really dry. Regular humi stuff.

I'm not certain of when the beads should go in, but I'd add them once the humidity has hit the desired range, or at least got close.



But I could be wrong. Ask my wife. The elders will hopefully chime in and set us straight.


Scott"couldbe"M

[miketafc]

No matter what the media I will use I always season the wood with paper towel that has been dampened with a 50/50 solution. This will help with getting it up to speed faster and also will prevent mold.

I also, and many may not do this, add a small shot glass or container of distilled water. The first few days I will heat the water in a micro till boiling, before placing it in the humi. This will get the temp/humidy up to about 85% quick and will allow the wood to aborb moisture.

After a few days I'll place the moistened humidity beads, silaca gel, or florist device into the humi. Once the humidity get above 60% and holds remove the water and I'll put the cigars in.

That at least is my method -- It works for me, but other here may have better sugestions.

[Roger Miller"]

Personally, i would just add the beads first and see where the RH is over night. If it is still low, put a saucer of distilled water in it over night and check again. I would only wet the humidor as a very last resort, and then only if you are impatient. Personally i would never use water directly on the cedar, but many disagree with this.

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rm

[Nely]

There are many good ways of doing this. I would wipe the interior with a 3M sponge and D. water. Then wipe it a second time after you see the wood is absorbing the water and going back to it's original color. Lay a ziplock bag on the humis floor set the sponge on the bag close it and let it run for one full day, check your rh the second day, it should be high, if it is just let it run like that for three days. It should be more then enough time for the cedar to absorb the needed moisture. I also use two shot glasses when setting up mine cause it has a couple of divisions and I wanted to make sure there was enough sources of humidity. Basically we are trying to jump start this process. I'm in Fl so humidity is always high, you may need an extra day or two. I agree that you should add the beads once you reach the desired RH. Good luck!

[icehog3]

Gracias Amigos!