I have discovered low humidity!

[Beer Doctor]

They shrink? I didn't know they shrink

Originally Posted by duhman

Don't forget shrinkage due to cold!

[PUFFNMO]

Originally Posted by Misha

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 )

Misha and Donnie - Interesting. I haven't experienced what you describe, but then I live in L.A.

Maybe the bottom line is that cigars do not like sudden change.

Donnie - 15 you say??? You have a good 80 years of cigar smoking ahead of you. And it's not too soon to start putting away a few good boxes!

[Rolando]

Originally Posted by Misha

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 )

If you originally stored it at 72-75 without problem you may be overworking your wrappers. The main reason why people are so crazy about beads is that they maintain a constant humidity which keeps the wrapper from expanding and contracting due to slight variations in rh. Cigars are not terribly fragile but long term storage at varying rh's can stress them especially at a higher humidity. If you feel like you are getting better results for you at 72-75 you might want to try and stabilize more.

[orca99usa]

My humidor runs between 63 and 66 percent for the most part. When it heads south of 62 it's time to recharge. My sticks smoke great at that RH.

[Poriggity]

Welcome to the club brother.. I store all my smokes at 63% and I love it.

Scott

[OSIRIS]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Actually, the cigar peeps say 70% for NCs and 65% for Cubans. I keep my cigars at 63%, and much prefer how they taste and smoke at that RH.

Yup mine are at around 62% that's how I like them, almost never have a burn issue. Besides that if they are good when you smoke them then that is all that matters.

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by fizguy

I have been a closet 70% rh guy. I don't know why, except I worry about my cigars drying out and cracking. My cooler is at 70% right now. But my desktop was dropping and I thought "meh, let's see what happens." It is at around 65% now and has been for a few weeks.

Let me say that my cigars have been smoking GREAT! Last night I had one of my favorites, a Pepin blue label, and it was better than ever before. I mean that literally, it was better than ever!

I have been converted.

I thought the same thing last year; but, like you, I learned! 60-65% for all my smokes, now!

[MrMoJoe]

I've got a jar of 70% Madeline Crystals in my 50-count humi, and a sponge disk. I only had the disk at first, but even after a second seasoning I still could not get the level above 65, so being a newb who feared anything less than 70, I added the jar.

Now, with both devices, the level stays very consistently @ 63-64 (digital hygrometer). While my humi may have a bad seal (or not ?), I quit worrying about it after reading this forum. All of my sticks, including ones that have been in there for months, smoke and taste just fine with no cracks or indication of being too dry.

While there may be a "perfect" level, and there are certainly limits on both ends of the scale, I suspect the acceptable range is greater than many think it is for most smokes.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by MrMoJoe

While there may be a "perfect" level, and there are certainly limits on both ends of the scale, I suspect the acceptable range is greater than many think it is for most smokes.

Probably true.

[Rolando]

Originally Posted by MrMoJoe

I've got a jar of 70% Madeline Crystals in my 50-count humi, and a sponge disk. I only had the disk at first, but even after a second seasoning I still could not get the level above 65, so being a newb who feared anything less than 70, I added the jar.

Now, with both devices, the level stays very consistently @ 63-64 (digital hygrometer). While my humi may have a bad seal (or not ?),

How long have you had the humi? A bad seal is not much of an issue in the summer where it is humid but come winter you might have a fight on your hands. I live in ga and with a good seal on both of my humis most summers go by without ever adding water.

[fizguy]

Originally Posted by duhman

Don't forget shrinkage due to cold!

"I was in the pool! I was in the pool!"

[seegarfan]

Once you smoke at 65%, you will never go back to 70%

[DSTRBD]

"I was in the pool! I was in the pool!"

Classic Seinfeld episode!!!

[Lynchmeister]

"You mean...it shrinks?"

"Like a scared turtle!"

[MrMoJoe]

Originally Posted by Rolando

How long have you had the humi? A bad seal is not much of an issue in the summer where it is humid but come winter you might have a fight on your hands. I live in ga and with a good seal on both of my humis most summers go by without ever adding water.

I've had the humi since last March. I agree that the test will come when the weather outside turns cold and dry, and the heat comes on and it turns Sahara-like inside. If it holds at 63-64 all is good. If not, I guess it's time for another humi.