wrapper starts cracking

[bigtattoo79]

I have been keeping my humi at 68/70% humidity for a while now and its been working out pretty well. Also I smoke outside and the humidity does at times go up to 80% or so.
So what I wanna ask is when you are about a quarter-half way though a cigar and the wrapper starts cracking around the band area. Does that sound too wet or too dry?


Thanks Lance

[DSturg369]

Its hard to say without seeing the cigar, but typically when a cigar cracks it is because the cigar is too dry.

[madurolover]

Sounds like the humidity is too high. Maybe try bringing it down to around 65%.

Also smoking outside in high humidity will cause all sorts of issues. I was smoking an Opus outside a couple of years ago and I swear I literally watched it swell up and the wrapper exploded right before my eyes.

[bigtattoo79]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

Its hard to say without seeing the cigar, but typically when a cigar cracks it is because the cigar is too dry.

Thats what I was thinking also.

Also just to make sure you caught it(They are only cracking after I light them and I get a quarter-half way though the cigar).

Thanks Lance

[DSturg369]

If there was swelling, then I agree... Over humidified. But he mentioned no swelling.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by bigtattoo79

(They are only cracking after I light them and I get a quarter-half way though the cigar).

That is why I think they are too humid. Usually when a cigar is too dry it will crack just from handling it whereas when it is over-humidified it will swell and crack while you are smoking it.

[bigtattoo79]

Originally Posted by madurolover

Sounds like the humidity is too high. Maybe try bringing it down to around 65%.

Also smoking outside in high humidity will cause all sorts of issues. I was smoking an Opus outside a couple of years ago and I swear I literally watched it swell up and the wrapper exploded right before my eyes.

Hummm now you got me thinking.
So if the smokes are at 70% and then I go out side and smoke in 80% humidity that would raise the humidity in the cigar also?
When the cigar is burning what does the heat do to the humidity in the cigar?

Thanks Lance

[DSturg369]

When moisture is heated it forms a gas and expands.

Did the cigar swell up?

[bigtattoo79]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

If there was swelling, then I agree... Over humidified. But he mentioned no swelling.

I dont see any signs of swelling.

[bigtattoo79]

Well I think I am going to order the 65% beads and try that.
I have just been so worried about the 70% rule.
But I need to try something else thats for sure.


Thanks Lance

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by bigtattoo79

Hummm now you got me thinking.
So if the smokes are at 70% and then I go out side and smoke in 80% humidity that would raise the humidity in the cigar also?
When the cigar is burning what does the heat do to the humidity in the cigar?

Thanks Lance

Lance, the ambient humidity will have an effect on the cigar, especially when it is lit. I am no scientist but I am pretty sure that the molecules in water vapor are larger than plain water molecules. Whe the moisture heats up it will cause it to expand which causes the tobacco to expand. The next one you smoke keep an eye on it. If it starts cracking look to see if it looks like something swelling (think hot dog in the microwave and how it splits). Naturally it is not going to double in size or anything that severe but you should be able to tell.

[DSturg369]

No swelling.... I stand by my first answer. I say too dry.

It could be a humidity in the smoking environment (outside) but I would think it would have to be above your mentioned 80%. It gets near 100% here and I've not had it happen.

[sboyajian]

Could also be the type of cigar. Cameroon wrappers are more prone to cracking than others due to the leaf being much thinner.

[DSturg369]

What kind of cigar? Brand/blend/vitola?

[bigtattoo79]

OK I want to say now we are talking about it I cant say for sure if they swell after I light up or not. I am talking about before I light I dont see any swelling. I am about to smoke one and see what it does when I am smoking and it starts to crack.
I will report back guys.

Dale I see where I confused you I am sorry.


Thanks Lance