How important is temp in your humidor?

[HAZMAN]

I know the standards for humidity and temp vary pending on who you speak with, whether it is 68/68, 70/70, or whatever combination is to your liking. What I am wondering how important it is to maintain the temperature.

With the winter present in the Northeast I in the process of programming my home thermostat. I typically like to leave the heat at 60 degrees at night with the thermostat kicking on in the morning bringing the temp up 65-70 for most of the day. Whereas the opposite is happening when I use my fireplace. My living room (where my cabinet is located) goes from high sixties up high eighties.

My question is do these variations make a difference or not?

[ucla695]

It's very important to me. I live in SoCal and it can get quite hot out here during the summer so I purchased a temperature controlled humi a few years back. I like to keep the temp around 65F and the humidity between 62-65. Minor swings in temp and humidity aren’t anything to worry about. It’s sustained high temps (beetles) and humidity (mold) that you have to worry about. Although not ideal, I wouldn’t think your fireplace is that much of a concern. You can also place a thermometer or weather station in your cabinet to monitor how the temp fluctuations affect the temp inside your cabinet. I imagine the cabinet will act as a buffer and won’t get at hot as the room. If it doesn’t get that warm and stay warm then it shouldn’t be a problem.

[scottw]

Over 80 can cause that mold to grow and you don't want that!!

[s15driftking]

Originally Posted by scottw

Over 80 can cause that mold to grow and you don't want that!!

mine hovers from 68-71... what risk am i at?

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by ucla695

It's very important to me. I live in SoCal and it can get quite hot out here during the summer so I purchased a temperature controlled humi a few years back. I like to keep the temp around 65F and the humidity between 62-65. Minor swings in temp and humidity aren’t anything to worry about. It’s sustained high temps (beetles) and humidity (mold) that you have to worry about. Although not ideal, I wouldn’t think your fireplace is that much of a concern. You can also place a thermometer or weather station in your cabinet to monitor how the temp fluctuations affect the temp inside your cabinet. I imagine the cabinet will act as a buffer and won’t get at hot as the room. If it doesn’t get that warm and stay warm then it shouldn’t be a problem.

Those are the key words. As long as the differences are minor you will be fine.
Most people will tell you that anything over 70 degrees is just an invitation for beetles. We have several Florida and California brothers here whose temps get into the mid 70's during the summer with no problems. I would be concerned if it was reaching 75+ though.

[jkorp]

Originally Posted by ucla695

It's very important to me. I live in SoCal and it can get quite hot out here during the summer so I purchased a temperature controlled humi a few years back. I like to keep the temp around 65F and the humidity between 62-65. Minor swings in temp and humidity aren’t anything to worry about. It’s sustained high temps (beetles) and humidity (mold) that you have to worry about....

If that room will be in the 80's all winter, it's very likely your cabinet will get too warm. If it were me I'd look at moving it somewhere else.

[jm0307]

Originally Posted by HAZMAN

I know the standards for humidity and temp vary pending on who you speak with, whether it is 68/68, 70/70, or whatever combination is to your liking. What I am wondering how important it is to maintain the temperature.

With the winter present in the Northeast I in the process of programming my home thermostat. I typically like to leave the heat at 60 degrees at night with the thermostat kicking on in the morning bringing the temp up 65-70 for most of the day. Whereas the opposite is happening when I use my fireplace. My living room (where my cabinet is located) goes from high sixties up high eighties.

My question is do these variations make a difference or not?

I would say yes, but the difference will depend on what you use for humidification and on how long you intend to store your cigars. In my case the difference would be quite severe, as I use oasis foam and a bought 50/50 solution of distilled water and propylene glycol. Any increase in temperature will cause the humidity levels to rise significantly above 70%, even though the solution is intended to keep humidity relatively constant. A significant and prolonged fluctuation of humidity and temperature could lead to all kinds of problems, from mould to problems with wrappers, and impaired flavour.

Yet, I pay less and less attention to humidity levels and refilling the foam, as I smoke a lot and most of my cigars will have been smoked within a month of purchase. For the same reason I also prefer lower levels of humidity, because I think that cigars stored at around 65% smoke much better.

However, if you intend to age the cigars properly and for a considerable time, then do stick to the standard guidelines and try to store the humidor in a place that provides constant temperature.

[s15driftking]

Hey maduro, i know you said that 70+ is breeding grounds for beetles. But i just gotta be skeptical... and worried.

Like i said,im 69-71... can someone offer some more insight or a link.

Thanks brothers
.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by s15driftking

Hey maduro, i know you said that 70+ is breeding grounds for beetles. But i just gotta be skeptical... and worried.

Like i said,im 69-71... can someone offer some more insight or a link.

Thanks brothers
.

Like I said Bobby, we have many members here who's temps exceed 70 with no trouble. I would think that 71 is fine. Also it usually takes a substained temp to cause a beetle breakout. I wouldn't worry if I were you.

[s15driftking]

Originally Posted by madurolover

Like I said Bobby, we have many members here who's temps exceed 70 with no trouble. I would think that 71 is fine. Also it usually takes a substained temp to cause a beetle breakout. I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Thank you brother,

I just want to be safe. Im smoking ALOT more cigars now than when i started... which means that i am purchasing ALOT more. And i just got a new humi (should be here today) and i don't want to waste any of my investment into it.... y'know?

[jkorp]

At 70 I start to worry. I like to keep my temp in the mid 60's, but I have a Vinotemp so that's easy.

Many operate for years or a life time without concern for temp and never have a beetle problem. But it's that one time that will make you wished you took a few preventative steps. It's like car insurance, you hope you never use it, but when an accident happens you know why you spend all that money.

I'd say for a small cache of cigars, or inventory that turns over quickly I wouldn't worry about it. But if you are collecting or even just keeping 100 + cigars on hand, you'll want to think about temp. Thats a lot of money for a bug snack.

There are a ton of threads about Beetles problems, what they look like and what they do. Try a search. Also check out vitolas.net for some nasty pictures of cigars that have been home to beetles.

For peace of mind if you can't get temp controlled storage, just inspect your cigars often. And you may want to start freezing (plenty of threads on this also).

Even though I have temp control, I still freeze just about everything.

[s15driftking]

aside from a vino ( i just bought a new desktop ) what can i do to keep the temp down, i keep it in my living room and it jsut seems like theres noplace to put it to lower the temp unless i put it in a clost... is a dark closet even good for a humi?

[madurolover]

jkorp, I freeze everything that I get in the mail. Even if it comes from another BOTL. I always say it is better to be safe than sorry.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by s15driftking

aside from a vino ( i just bought a new desktop ) what can i do to keep the temp down, i keep it in my living room and it jsut seems like theres noplace to put it to lower the temp unless i put it in a clost... is a dark closet even good for a humi?

Bobby, a lot of people keep their humis in a dark closet. No problems for the humi being in there.

[jm0307]

Originally Posted by jkorp

Even though I have temp control, I still freeze just about everything.

Sound advice. However, even if you see a beetle hole, it need not mean that either the eggs, larvae or beetles are still alive. Many reputable importers freeze all shipments as a precautionary measure.

I count myself lucky in that the dreaded weevil is not a widespread native pest in the UK.

However, I once found a definitive beetle hole in a Piedra, which necessitated freezing ~100 cigars stored alongside just to be on the safe side.

Amusingly, when Ambientboy came to London, he even spotted a beetle hole in a Bolivar Beli at JJ Fox!!! Needless to say that the sales clerk at this renowned store was rather embarrassed. Yet, he too pointed out that their shipments may have been frozen previously, and that the hole need not point to an active infection.