salt test...how the hell do I do it?

[[OT] Loki]

Hour 12:
91%

[caskwith]

are you sure you have it in an airtight environment? also the salt test only owrks if you use a saturated salt solution, not just damp salt.

go to this link and look for the peice i wrote about salt testing, it will tell you how to do it properly, i use the method used by meterological scientists to test their hygrom, so it definately works.

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25000

if you have any questions send me a pm and i will try and help further.

[[OT] Loki]

Originally Posted by caskwith

are you sure you have it in an airtight environment? also the salt test only owrks if you use a saturated salt solution, not just damp salt.

go to this link and look for the peice i wrote about salt testing, it will tell you how to do it properly, i use the method used by meterological scientists to test their hygrom, so it definately works.

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25000

if you have any questions send me a pm and i will try and help further.

I had it in ziplock and tupperwear the first time, the second time I just had it in a ziplock. I may just pull it out and see what it reads as room RH vs what the weather report says

[caskwith]

The weather report will be way off, it will be a pointless exercise. im pretty sure your problem is that you are using damp salt, you need to use a salt solution as outlined in my post. you also need to leave it for 24 hours to stablize fully, without dsturbing it, and leave it in a darkened place, not in direct sunlight because a high temperature will affect the humididty.

[[OT] Loki]

Originally Posted by caskwith

The weather report will be way off, it will be a pointless exercise. im pretty sure your problem is that you are using damp salt, you need to use a salt solution as outlined in my post. you also need to leave it for 24 hours to stablize fully, without dsturbing it, and leave it in a darkened place, not in direct sunlight because a high temperature will affect the humididty.

I had it in my windowless kitchen. I'm going to try and do the boiled water one now. so all I need to do is take the salt out of the pan and put it in in the cap then inside the bag? No need to add water?

[[OT] Loki]

OK test 3:
Salt + bottle cap and just a little water. Ziplock bag and tupperwear. Lets call it 4:30 right now

[caskwith]

if you read my post it says to dissolve salt in hot water until no more will dissolve (ie leaves crystals at the bottom of the dish) then let the solution cool, place the dish inside the tupperware with the hygro and leave for 24 hours.

[[OT] Loki]

Originally Posted by caskwith

if you read my post it says to dissolve salt in hot water until no more will dissolve (ie leaves crystals at the bottom of the dish) then let the solution cool, place the dish inside the tupperware with the hygro and leave for 24 hours.

that's what I did but the salt was still wet. So I'll try the salt + water again and if that doesn't work I'll try it the other way again.

[CthulhuDawn]

Man, that is tough. I don't know what is up with your hygro, but it doesn't seem like you're really doing anything wrong. I don't know, most analogs really don't work worth a crap.

I got a Western Calibur III from bargain-humidors.com that has worked great. It's also really small and comes with a magnet attatchment so it doesn't take up any cigar real esate. They come pre-calibrated from the factory and are guaranteed to be no more than +/- 1% off. I know some BOTL will disagree, but I didn't find the need to calibrate this one myself. At least not this one. I put it in my humi with 65% beads and it has been reading 64-65% for the past week.

You could also try a humidipak calibration bag.

[[OT] Loki]

Originally Posted by CthulhuDawn

Man, that is tough. I don't know what is up with your hygro, but it doesn't seem like you're really doing anything wrong. I don't know, most analogs really don't work worth a crap.

I got a Western Calibur III from bargain-humidors.com that has worked great. It's also really small and comes with a magnet attatchment so it doesn't take up any cigar real esate. They come pre-calibrated from the factory and are guaranteed to be no more than +/- 1% off. I know some BOTL will disagree, but I didn't find the need to calibrate this one myself. At least not this one. I put it in my humi with 65% beads and it has been reading 64-65% for the past week.

You could also try a humidipak calibration bag.

I bought the 65% beads and called it a day. I'm just doing this for shits and giggles now. But my smokes are definitely off. I had a royal Jamacia ojo rojo tonight and it tunnel burrned on me. And of course my local shop doesn't sell them.

[dyj48]

IMO, it's probably your hygro. If you're using the same hygro that comes with your humi, it's analog and useless. Don't count on it. Radio Shack has some wireless digital hygros currently on sale and Walmart has some as well. Otherwise pick up the Calibers online.

But they ALL need calibration with the salt test. I've four digital hygos (including the caliber) and only one is spot on. The rest are + or - 1 to 4% on the salt test. I use a rubbermaid container that is pretty airtight. It doesn't matter how much salt you use as long as long as it's enough to change the humidity in the air that is sealed in your bag or container. If you use less salt, it takes a little longer depending on the air volume. Ultimately, the reading will stabilize and you'll get only one reading. That is the reading for your hygro and put a piece of tape on it with the adjustment, and you're ready to go! Enjoy them smokes!