Boveda pack/humidity question

[Thumper2672]

I have a 25 count desktop humidor, that has closer to 35 cigars in it. When it didn't have as many in it, I had no problems reaching my magic 65% humidity level. Now, about a week ago, I was holding steady at around 60-62%, so I moved one of the boveda packs and placed it on top of my cigars. Boom, back up to 65%. I checked on it last night and I was still sitting at 65%, but this time I check one of my cigars and it was very damp! I quickly rearranged my cigars, but I'm wondering if my sticks are now at risk for mold? The rest of them seemed fine. Also, since moving the pack, I'm back down to 60% humidity. Can somebody help a brother out?

[JaKaAch]

Do you have a real thin piece of Spanish cedar? Like the thin stuff they put in between the layers of cigars in the box from the factory.
If so I would place the Boveda pack on that and not directly on the cigars.
I did read on Boveda web site though that it is OK to lay the packs in contact with the cigars.

60-65% humidity is good, and mold should not be a problem when in that range.

[Thumper2672]

No, I don't have any spanish cedar. You think I might be able to get a piece from a local B&M?

[havana_lover]

Originally Posted by Thumper2672

No, I don't have any spanish cedar. You think I might be able to get a piece from a local B&M?

shouldnt be a problem..

I would get a larger humi or a cooler packing your humi that tight isnt a good idea. There is no way for the air to circulate to the rest of the cigars..

[Thumper2672]

Been thinking of doing that anyway. I'll have to run it by the finance committee. Or switch it out and hopes she doesn't notice that the humi "grew" a little.

[MrStogie]

You won't run the risk of a mold outbreak at an RH temp ranging between 60-65%. A quick question i'd like to ask is how long do the boveda packs last for you? I bought a few 70% and they seem to harden rather quickly. I'm guessing its due to the fact that its winter time and with the heater blasting the boveda has to work overtime to get the RH up, but im still curious.

[Thumper2672]

I usually change them out once every six weeks or so. Sometimes they've hardened up, sometimes not.

[Pendaboot]

Originally Posted by NubCake

You won't run the risk of a mold outbreak at an RH temp ranging between 60-65%. A quick question i'd like to ask is how long do the boveda packs last for you? I bought a few 70% and they seem to harden rather quickly. I'm guessing its due to the fact that its winter time and with the heater blasting the boveda has to work overtime to get the RH up, but im still curious.

In the winter, the cold air will hold very little moisture. When you take that cold dry air and heat it up, with the added heat the water capacity of the air goes up, therefore the RH (relative humidity) goes down, so the humidifier has to add a lot of moisture to it to get to the sweet spot of 65% to 70%

[MrStogie]

Originally Posted by Pendaboot

In the winter, the cold air will hold very little moisture. When you take that cold dry air and heat it up, with the added heat the water capacity of the air goes up, therefore the RH (relative humidity) goes down, so the humidifier has to add a lot of moisture to it to get to the sweet spot of 65% to 70%

Very good explanation, thanks!

[Tour De Cigar]

Originally Posted by Thumper2672

I have a 25 count desktop humidor, that has closer to 35 cigars in it. When it didn't have as many in it, I had no problems reaching my magic 65% humidity level. Now, about a week ago, I was holding steady at around 60-62%, so I moved one of the boveda packs and placed it on top of my cigars. Boom, back up to 65%. I checked on it last night and I was still sitting at 65%, but this time I check one of my cigars and it was very damp! I quickly rearranged my cigars, but I'm wondering if my sticks are now at risk for mold? The rest of them seemed fine. Also, since moving the pack, I'm back down to 60% humidity. Can somebody help a brother out?

With Boveda you'll never have to worry about mold....