Please mentor this baby gorilla, making all the mistakes!

[scottw]

Good intro and welcome!! Read and learn as much as you can here. If a guy named reindeer tells you to snot on your sticks before smoking, disregard him. Enjoy your stay!!!

[mrreindeer]

Damn it, Scott, thanks for reminding me.

Step#1: Buy humidor & season (wipe down interior with a clean, distilled water soaked sponge & let sit for a couple of days)
Step#2: Replace analog hygro (which never works) with digital
Step#3: Fill humidifier with distilled water or solution of 50/50
Step#4: Throw the sticks in & monitor humidity & temperature! i keep mine pretty steady at 65/65.
Step #5: Remove a cigar you'd like to smoke & snot on it before smoking

[ucla695]

Welcome to the Jungle!!

There’s some great advice here, but when seasoning a humidor, I suggest that you skip wiping down the interior with a damp rag or cloth. It can be bad for the wood (i.e. raise the grain, cause the lining to warp or stain it). Instead, I suggest that you place a clean, damp sponge (distilled water) on a dish inside your humi for 2–3 days. The wood will absorb the moisture as it evaporates.

[Cyanide]

Wow, thanks for the tons of great advice and the instant comradery. I think part of "the slope" of which you speak is the warmth and welcome that comes from such a nurturing and welcoming community.

So, at this point I have grabbed up about a dozen anti-humidity canisters (about 1/4 inch in diameter, found in pill bottles.....ultimately you will probably learn I am in the medical field). I am switching them in and and out of humidor 6 at a time. I am now at low 80's for RH, and so will probably find myself at a comfortable 67% in no time. I am finding it hard to hold off having that cigar at the time of accomplishment (but delayed gratification is good thing).

Temp is at a steady 67F as well.

You can see my set up on page 144 of "show your humidor pics" thread. You can see my custom sponge in those pics (its a converted smarties container....you don't get them in USA...they are like mini M&Ms or reese's pieces).

Thanks for taking me in.

Lets let the discussions continue. I love online forums!!!

Cheers

Cyanide