My inexpensive solution

[johern]

the size of a bread box) and a plain ol' Gispert 54x7 cigar box, which apparently seals very well:

I have 3 half once tubes of silicon beads. One is 65% and the other two are 60's - the two 60% ones are in my tupperware box and the 65% one is in my cigar box. Initially, I had added too much distilled water to the silicon tubes, causing the humidity reading to read 76% (in the cigar box) and 78%. I dried the beads in the tray of my toaster oven (set at 200 degrees and heated for a total time of about 50 minutes (I had to experiment by removing the beads along the way, to see how much drying was necessary to get things "right") What turned out to be "right" was when *more than half* of the beads are opaque-white! I've have had near perfect reading for the past month... namely 65% in the cigar box and 68% in the Tupperware box. Yes, the cigar box gets lower readings than the Tupperware box, even though I open it much more often than the tupperware box. I'm guessing that the larger volume of air in the tupperware is a factor.

I live in the NE part of the USA, where using the furnace keeps things quite dry, so, no doubt, I'll have to *add* distilled water to the beads when the winter months arrive. The bottom line is that my very simple and inexpensive tupperware / cigar box / silicon beads setup is working well for me and I recommend it to chimps who don't want to invest in a humidor, at this point in time, and are going through "an experimental stage" w/ less than 100 cigars.

[hova45]

Sounds like a plan as long as it is spanish cedar you are good and you can always add things to make it seal better, also if you can find a rubbermaid tupperware big enough to fit the box in it will give it extra protection.

[johern]

Originally Posted by hova45

Sounds like a plan as long as it is spanish cedar you are good and you can always add things to make it seal better, also if you can find a rubbermaid tupperware big enough to fit the box in it will give it extra protection.

Sorry that the first sentence wasn't complete. I had copied what I'd written to a spell checker; I suppose I didn't get all of the first sentence. Basically, it was to the effect that *I use a tupperware box* (and a Gispert cigar box etc.) The Gispert cigar box, btw, is made of wood and is lined with cedar. I got it for one $ at a local liquor store that carries a few basic lines of cigars. Also, I added some of those cigar wraps made of (?) cedar (?) to help hold moisture... at least I imagine it helps.

I only keep about 10 - 15 cigars in the cedar lined cigar box; after I smoke most of those I add more from the tupperware container. As I said, the humidity in the cigar box is a bit less that of the tupperware container. That's the way I like it. I think the transfer from a bit more humid container to one that is a bit dryer might help insure a better draw on the cigar. Even so, the humidity level in the cigar box is holding at a solid 65 percent, so there should be no over-drying problem. Also, note that I keep an adjustable hygrometer in both containers. If for some reason the humidity levels in cedar cigar box doesn't remain stable, I certainly will take your advice and place it inside a Rubbermaid tupperware box. I appreciate your input.

Thanks
Johern