65% rh seems to "dry"??

[SteveDMatt]

I'm not sure if this is the case or not, but is it possible that the quick drop from 70-65% helped with this cracking? Maybe after they regulate at 65%, this will stop.

Again, I'm not sure if this would happen or not.

[kheffelf]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I store my cigars at 63% and get perfect burns, no splitting, etc....are you sure your humi is at 65%? (i.e, the salt test some suggested).

I keep my cigars at 63 as well, never had any problems. I think 70 is to moist.

[BigBen2]

I keep mine at 60 rh in the summer because the humidity is so high outside. About 65 rh in the winter. Great draws, no splitting.

[drawfour]

Originally Posted by SteveDMatt

I'm not sure if this is the case or not, but is it possible that the quick drop from 70-65% helped with this cracking? Maybe after they regulate at 65%, this will stop.

Again, I'm not sure if this would happen or not.

The inner layer is always the last to receive or release humidity. If you recently increased humidity, then the wrapper will be more moist than the inner, which can lead to "tunneling" (the inner is more dry than the outer, so it burns faster).

The opposite is also true. If you had your cigars at 70% but now the outer layer is 65%, you may find that as the excess moisture heats up, it causes the cigar to expand. Since the outer layer has less humidity, it's a little bit more brittle, and can crack as you smoke it due to the expansion.


It sounds like his problem was with when he cut it. One thing I always do before cutting is to lick around the head. Makes it plenty moist, and generally helps prevent the wrapper from cracking.

[Smoked]

I always get the cap a bit wet before I cut. It seems to help prevent cracking. I'm a newb but it works for me.

[c.rod]

well, i forgot to add. im in MICHIGAN. air conditioned house. .. so my humidity probs. are not really a problem? lol

yes, it did happen when i cut it with my palio. actually it was a somewhat length
wise tear about an inch long!!

never happened before with oliva mb3's or any others for that matter.


here is a question. will 65% beads hold a higher rh if just put more of them in?

[drawfour]

Originally Posted by c.rod

here is a question. will 65% beads hold a higher rh if just put more of them in?

No. 65% beads mean they will regulate to 65% -- they will release humidity if the RH is below 65%, and they will absorb humidity if it's above 65%. If you want a higher RH, you have to replace the 65% beads with 70% beads.

Also, you cannot have equal portions of 65% and 70% beads to "average" a 67.5%, either. The beads will both try to do their job -- as long as the 70% beads have humidity, the RH will be 70%. Then, once they are dry, the 65% beads will absorb everything they can to drop it to 65%. If they can't absorb any more, you may find a "middle ground", but it will be temporary. Eventually the 65% beads will be able to bring the RH down to 65%.

[c.rod]

gotcha

[Tour De Cigar]

69 rh all the wayy...