I have discovered low humidity!

[oldforge]

from MinRonee: "Interesting note:
65°F = ~ 18°C. Comfortable room temperature is ~ 24 – 25 °C, which is ~75°F to 77°F"


My home office (where I store cigars) stays at around 65 degrees during all seasons and I find it quite comfortable.

I would think 75 to 77 degrees would feel very warm.

[Gophernut]

Yep just bought some 65% beads from Heartfelt. Had too many smokes that needed to be relit.

[DSTRBD]

Its amazing how much 5% really makes a difference. At 70% I seem to get quite a few burn and draw issues. 63-65% and they burn and draw perfectly.

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

Any draw problems can be directly attributed to construction now vs over humidification that was previously thought to be construction.

Yup.

[Footbag]

DPG in particular smoke much better at 65% as opposed to 70%. In fact, I usually don't enjoy them at 70% or strait from the B&M.

[lightning9191]

Originally Posted by oldforge

from MinRonee: "Interesting note:
65°F = ~ 18°C. Comfortable room temperature is ~ 24 – 25 °C, which is ~75°F to 77°F"


My home office (where I store cigars) stays at around 65 degrees during all seasons and I find it quite comfortable.

I would think 75 to 77 degrees would feel very warm.

I think what you consider comfortable temperatures varies on where you were born and raised. I'm from northern PA and it is noticeable down here. In the fall, when everyone else has their parkas on, I only have a sweatshirt. I enjoy air conditioning in the summer. The heat down here is brutal some days compared to home.

[sacmore21]

I just wish I wasn't so scared to try this out. I was always brought up in the 70% humidity world. And while I knew all of the touting of lower humidities on the forum, when it came time to get beads, I just couldn't pull the trigger on the 65%. I've heard that storing it lower allows the oils to dry out, especially for long term aging. Since I can't smoke as frequently as I want, I always assume my cigars are in for long term aging. Although, I've never really found burning issues with 70%. The obvious fix would be to dry box things before you smoke them, but who has time for that? So, I'm glad that the lower humidity is working for you. Perhaps, someday, I'll be able to be brave like you. Until then, I'll be

[oldforge]

My suggestion would be to take out a few smokes from a cheap bundle (maduros would be best) and experiment with a dry box for a few days or a week.

(You do have a cheap bundle, right? )

Originally Posted by sacmore21

I just wish I wasn't so scared to try this out. I was always brought up in the 70% humidity world. And while I knew all of the touting of lower humidities on the forum, when it came time to get beads, I just couldn't pull the trigger on the 65%. I've heard that storing it lower allows the oils to dry out, especially for long term aging. Since I can't smoke as frequently as I want, I always assume my cigars are in for long term aging. Although, I've never really found burning issues with 70%. The obvious fix would be to dry box things before you smoke them, but who has time for that?

[PUFFNMO]

I also converted to lower humidity in the last few weeks. My storage unit fluctuates between 60 - 65%, and smoking has become much easier and more enjoyable.
I can smoke more slowly and not worry about the cigar going out. The draw is better, the flavors are better. I am starting to appreciate some of the cigars I had written off as too strong.
Anybody who hasn't done this, give it a try. Cheers.

[sacmore21]

Originally Posted by oldforge

My suggestion would be to take out a few smokes from a cheap bundle (maduros would be best) and experiment with a dry box for a few days or a week.

(You do have a cheap bundle, right? )

No, but I am taking donations Although, I do think your point's valid. Maybe someday.....

[PUFFNMO]

Originally Posted by Misha

Sub 70% RH levels can cause dehydration of oils etc. In other words LONG TERM storage should be above 70% RH. Low RH could negatively affect the long term aging process, and cause the slow disappearance of flavours.
SHORT TERM storage could be done at a lower RH. A lot of people use a "dry box" with, for example, a RH of 65% or lower. Just be careful switching from a dry box to a higher humidity as the wrapper might crack.
So ideally long-term storage at a minimum of 70%, and a dry box for the "soon to be smoked" cigars.

Misha - I have to disagree. Cigars do not crack when going from dry to wet. It's the other way around. A wet cigar in a dry environment will crack.

The wrapper is the first thing to be affected by humidity or dryness, because it is on the outside of the cigar. The wrapper will shrink or expand almost instantly in reaction to the air around it. The filler does not react very fast at all, as it is insulated by the outer wrap.

So - take a dry cigar into damp air, the wrapper will loosen from absorbing humidity. Not a problem. Take a wet cigar into dry air and the wrapper will shrink as the moisture abrubtly leaves it. The filler stays the same and the wrapper cracks. Cheers.

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by PUFFNMO

Misha - I have to disagree. Cigars do not crack when going from dry to wet. It's the other way around. A wet cigar in a dry environment will crack.

The wrapper is the first thing to be affected by humidity or dryness, because it is on the outside of the cigar. The wrapper will shrink or expand almost instantly in reaction to the air around it. The filler does not react very fast at all, as it is insulated by the outer wrap.

So - take a dry cigar into damp air, the wrapper will loosen from absorbing humidity. Not a problem. Take a wet cigar into dry air and the wrapper will shrink as the moisture abrubtly leaves it. The filler stays the same and the wrapper cracks. Cheers.

You both have a point. I've personally observed what Misha is saying. If something is too dry and you drop it into a ≥ 70% RH box, you may see wrapper cracks. On the other hand, we all know what happens when you try to smoke a damp stick in really dry weather - especially big RG cigars... KERRRRACK!! But what the hell do I know... I'm only 15.

[DSTRBD]

When it dries, it shrinks. When its wet it expands. I could see cracks happening either way, but more likely from the shrinking due to dryness.

[Misha]

Originally Posted by PUFFNMO

Misha - I have to disagree. Cigars do not crack when going from dry to wet. It's the other way around. A wet cigar in a dry environment will crack.

The wrapper is the first thing to be affected by humidity or dryness, because it is on the outside of the cigar. The wrapper will shrink or expand almost instantly in reaction to the air around it. The filler does not react very fast at all, as it is insulated by the outer wrap.

So - take a dry cigar into damp air, the wrapper will loosen from absorbing humidity. Not a problem. Take a wet cigar into dry air and the wrapper will shrink as the moisture abrubtly leaves it. The filler stays the same and the wrapper cracks. Cheers.

I know it doesn't sound logical, but it has happened a few times to me. Basically because i am an A$$ I tend to forget that it happened and put a "dry" (65-68%) cigar in a "wet" (72-75%) cabinet. And then it cracks open .

Im guessing the reason for this is that the wrapper condenses and expands (it grows thicker and thinner, kinda like when you over eat )

[duhman]

Don't forget shrinkage due to cold!