Please mentor this baby gorilla, making all the mistakes!

[Cyanide]

Hello all. Canadian here (Edmonton Alberta).

I have been a long term enthusiast of the the mountain cigar (climb/ hike up a mountain, pull out the cigar at 7000-9000 ft altitude and enjoy). That being said, I didn't buy the cigars until the day before the hiking trip would start and really any corner store cigars would do.

Since then, a friend of mine introduced me to the finer things in the cigar world and that peeked my interests. Combine that with a spur-of-the moment holiday to sun, sand and beaches (which found me in Varadero), and I was primed to turn my curiosity into hobby.

I have just returned from Cuba with many fine cigars (forgive the reference, for a Canadian it is no crime to do any of this, and I am just telling the story). For posterity it may be of value to describe the population of those cigars: "C*hiba s!glo II" X 50, M*ntecr!sto corona X 2, H*y* de M*nterrey corona X 24, approx half for the friend introduced above and the rest for me.

I also acquired a humidor of mixed woods (completely cedar within, fancy inlayed woodwork on outside) purportedly able to hold 75 cigars. This was hand made by the artesan I bought it from in Cuba. Very nice work he was doing (he was building others as we spoke). But, as you could probably guess, the hygrometer is garbage.

So, this is where the Comedy of Errors begins, and it helps to realize that my level of patience for anything is zero.

So, there I am in Cuba, with a humidor/hygrometer reading at 45% (in retrospect, Cuba has probably never had a RH of 45%...the real reading was probably closer to 60%....add 15% to hygrometer reading). To boot, I have 3 boxes of cigars. With no guidance, I put some kleenex saturated in tap water into the humidifier slot, saturate the little encased sponge strip with tap water and it goes into the humidifier slot. Soon the hygrometer reads 60%. Not 70%, and I was determined to get 70% (I purely guessed that 70% was the best number, I was told 60-80% was fine). So, then I dumped a small amount of tapwater into the humidifer slot, only a minor amount of moisture in slot spilled into the main storage area, and this was absorbed quickly by the wood. By this point I was impatient, and deciding that 60% would be OK to begin with, so in went 50 of the cigars (onto a little wooden platform above the floor of unit).

Still, couldn't get the reading above 60%, next I put in pop-bottle caps upside-down with tapwater. By that point, it was time to return home. So, I took the captops out, took the tissue paper out, took the cigars out and back into their original boxes. Sealed them, plastic bagged them and stored them in the middle of my suitcases. Further, I stuffed a t-shirt in a plastic bag into the humidor and wrapped the humidor in clothing and it went into the middle of a suitcase. Flew back to Canada, quickly unpacked, loaded cigars into humidor and let sit for one night. Still a 60% reading, so then I got aggressive. Took cigars out, poured tapwater into main body (making a small puddle), swished it about, dumped the excess. Then, I put the wood-stick platform back in, stacked cigars in and let sit. No change, still 60%.

At this point I got stressed. I checked back in the humidor in about 2 hours. A couple of cigars had come in contact with the wall of the humidor. The wrapped end of the cigar was damp when placed on the cheek. I quickly rearranged the cigars, had the damp cigars sit out of humidor for about an hour. It seemed to loose it dampness, and now feels identical to the others (no surprise considering how dessert-like Alberta Canada is). My last ditch attempt to humidify the humidor was to A) wipe down all inside surfaces with tapwater and sponge, B) stuff cloth into the humidifier slot and saturate the cloth. Still no luck.

That is when I searched and found this forum. Great stuff.

I have since then (over the last 24 hours):
-calibrated the original hygrometer (which seemed to be 15% out...so I was probably running 75% humidity)
-pulled the cloth out and bought a "proper sponge" (actually its flower-arrangement foam I will put in a plastic box)
-purchased a digital hygrometer
-purchased some distilled water
-purchased some 50/50 polyethelene glycol

When I get home from work I am going to:
-check the calibration of both hygrometers
-put digital hygrometer in humidor
-put analog hygrometer into an air-tight tupperware container with sponge and distilled water (there is one box of C*hibas waiting to get out of their original box and into the humidor, I plan on transitioning them through 24hrs 50-55%, 24hrs 60%-65% then into the 70% humidor)
-wipe down the humidor interior with distilled water
-construct the "proper sponge" above and put into humidor humidifier slot
-place cigars back into humidor (they have been probably sitting at 75% for about 5-7 days so bringing them directly to 70% is probably the best plan I naively think)

Finally, can anyone comment on:
-anything above you want to address
-any helpful advice in general (I will continue to read, but being with the military, I may be sent out of province "last minute" this weekend for 3 weeks, so I have to act quickly now)
-any foresee-able issues regarding the "damp cigars" above. Did I do any permanent damage? I think I acted fast enough to avoid most issues
-any foresee-able issues with the amount of water I was dumping into the humidor? The humidor has warped a tiny amount but still seals well and the warp is resolving as the humidity (and my erratic behaviour) stabilizes
-any foresee-able issues with using the tap water? I have switched to distilled water and hopefully any electrolyte issues will quickly dissipate before the effects become obvious. What is the problem with tapwater to begin with?

Thanks for enduring my rambling, but I just wanted to make sure all was well before I head across the country.

Cheers

Cyanide

[ssutton219]

Looks like you are headed in the right direction. Just slow down and relax...this is supose to be a relaxing hobby. The cigars can be maintained between 60-70% and everyone has a lil differnt feeling as what is best. I myself have mine holding 60-62% and all cigars are smoking wonderful.

It can take 10 days to "Season" a humidor so be patient. I didnt wait and like you I fought my humidor for 3-4 days. No ill effects and the cigars turned out fine.




Shawn

[JCK]

Originally Posted by Cyanide

Finally, can anyone comment on:
-anything above you want to address

-any helpful advice in general (I will continue to read, but being with the military, I may be sent out of province "last minute" this weekend for 3 weeks, so I have to act quickly now) - Do you have someone that can watch the humidity level while your away?

-any foresee-able issues regarding the "damp cigars" above. Did I do any permanent damage? I think I acted fast enough to avoid most issues I don't think you did any permanent damage. The one thing you want to monitor is that if they cigars are too wet mold can form. If the cigars are saturated too long the wrappers may peel as well.

-any foresee-able issues with the amount of water I was dumping into the humidor? The humidor has warped a tiny amount but still seals well and the warp is resolving as the humidity (and my erratic behaviour) stabilizes Your concern is with the wood warping around the seal, but it sounds like you avoided that.

-any foresee-able issues with using the tap water? I have switched to distilled water and hopefully any electrolyte issues will quickly dissipate before the effects become obvious. What is the problem with tapwater to begin with? There are contaminates such as minerals that can clog finer humidifying devices as well as propogate mold. Stick with distilled water. I don't think you'll have a problem.

Thanks for enduring my rambling, but I just wanted to make sure all was well before I head across the country.

Cheers

Cyanide

Hello Cyanide. Welcome to ClubStogie. I have to admit that my eyes got wide and wider reading the beginning of your introduction.

It sounds like you've got your Humidor stabilizing... See my comments above to your questions.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Cyanide

Finally, can anyone comment on:
-anything above you want to address Dumping water in the humidor was a bad idea. Seasoning takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Patience is key.

-any helpful advice in general (I will continue to read, but being with the military, I may be sent out of province "last minute" this weekend for 3 weeks, so I have to act quickly now) Get humidity beads. They will make things so much easier. Also, 70% is a myth. Experiment to find the level you like. I keep my cigars at 60-63%.

-any foresee-able issues regarding the "damp cigars" above. Did I do any permanent damage? I think I acted fast enough to avoid most issues Damp cigars will dry out an acclimate over time. When I say time, I mean weeks to months.

-any foresee-able issues with the amount of water I was dumping into the humidor? The humidor has warped a tiny amount but still seals well and the warp is resolving as the humidity (and my erratic behaviour) stabilizes As long as it still seals well you should have no problems but again, that was a bad idea.

-any foresee-able issues with using the tap water? I have switched to distilled water and hopefully any electrolyte issues will quickly dissipate before the effects become obvious. What is the problem with tapwater to begin with? Tap water is dirty and will promote bacteria growth. Distilled or sterile water is the only way to go.

Thanks for enduring my rambling, but I just wanted to make sure all was well before I head across the country.

Cheers

Cyanide

Answers in blue. Welcome, have a safe trip and don't worry. Cigars are much tougher than we sometimes give them credit for.

BTW, I'm moving this to the New Gorilla Forum.

[Blaylock]

Lots of good suggestions above. I'd just want to reiterate by saying...get yourself some Beads...I use 65%. Takes alot of worry out of the equation!

Enjoy the hobby and try not to overthink it.

Welcome to Club Stogie! Hope you enjoy it here.

[linty]

hi and welcome aboard! agreed on the taking it easy, it's a hobby, there's really no finish line.

[Cyanide]

Now that I am kitted out I do feel much more comfortable. Not only that, but reading through the forums has put my mind even more at ease. With that, the fun is growing.

It seems I lucked out on a number of fronts allowing me to blindly sidestep disaster.

Having bought the cigars in Cuba, the cigars are good. And, being in such humidity to begin with (bought from the tobacco shop at the Mall of Americas in Varadero....its one store-sized humidor....besides....its Cuba), I probably avoided shocking the cigars with wide humidity changes. When the cigars got damp, leaving them out momentarily in my dining room fixed it nicely (Alberta is so dry), and checking the cigars with obsessive compulsive frequency caused probably cycled the cigars and the air in the humidor which probably had a nice side effect of equilibrating everything else I was doing.

I am pretty happy with how it is all going. Now I will go and check on those cigars (hey I can't help myself), and start humidifying the boxed cigars (I hear humidifying the cigars while they remain inside their original woodbox is a preferable way of acclimating them).

When I went to the tobacco store today to get the hygrometer I had a look at their cigar selection as well. I was amazed at the mark-up. They were selling cigars there for $30 dollars that I had just bought in Varadero for $5-10 dollars. With a $20 addition to each cigar and maximum allowable duty free return limits....I could pay for a one week trip to Cuba. Bring a second person and I can pay for the trip in full and still walk out with 25 cigars for myself.......that's CRAZY!!!!!

Oh well....back to the humidor. Think I will have my first C*hiba.

Cheers

Cyanide

[NCRadioMan]

Canada's tobacco taxes are plain crazy! About leaving the cigar out for an hour, no worries. Some of us dry-box cigars for up to a week for before smoking them and I hear cuban cigars smoke better when stored at 65% or under as well.

[kayaker]

Hey Cyanide,

Welcome from another Canuck. Looks like you are on your way down the slippery slope.

You should drop into Burlington's on Whyte and have a chat with Chris or the other staff there. Great guys with great smokes and lots of knowledge to pass on. They also host cigar events every so often.

Cheers,

kayaker

[stevefrench]

Hello and welcome to Club Stogie.

[madurolover]

Welcome to CS.

Anything that could be said to your questions has already been said. Look around the site and you will find the answer to pretty much any question you have. If you don't find it feel free to ask. And most importantly, enjoy yourself here.

[Nurse_Maduro]

Originally Posted by khubli

I have to admit that my eyes got wide and wider reading the beginning of your introduction.

Me too!!!!!

Well, pretty much all of your questions have been answered, so I'll just wish you a warm welcome to the Jungle!

[Cyanide]

So, the saga continues. With all hygrometers calibrated and two outfits running:

1) tupperware container with analog hygrometer, shotglass of distilled water sitting in a small tray of salt. Spaciously containing an unadulterated/unopened 25-box of C*hibas at a stable 70% RH

2) Wood Humidor with 50 cigars (C*hibas, H*yos and M*ntecristos). Currently with digital hygrometer, bottlecap of 50/50 polyethelene glycol and two bottlecaps filled with table salt. Why the salt you ask? Well, here is where it gets funny. All those troubles with getting the uncalibrated analog hygrometer to read greater than 60% had me slowly raising the real RH in the humidor to well past 90%. Now I have a humidor sitting probably slightly below 90%. This is actually amazing in some ways as everyone I have talked to at my work said they could never get a wooden humidor to even 75% in Alberta (its dry, probably 45% RH at any given time).

So, borrowing from the wet salt calibration method, I have been putting dry salt into containers within the humidor and frequently checking (forcing air circulation). The salt continues to become slowly moist inside, and the RH on the digital hygro seems to slowly dropping. I am hoping to bring this thing down to 75% over the next 2 days via this method. Then I think I will probably have to complete the process with the polyethylene glycol alone (removing the salt containers). That will take another day or so. Then, by midweekend I will have to consider finding those beads in the big city.

Borrowing from other experiences in life....I wonder what putting some dried rice into the salt would do. I understand that this the usual way to keep your salt shakers dry in humid environments. Thus, the rice should have a stronger draw on the water than the salt does. I wonder if this would bring the RH more towards 65% by itself. White starched rice may just be the poor-mans beads. Or maybe all my cigars will start to taste like Uncle Bens.

Cheers

Cyanide

[madurolover]

The couple of times I have had to bring humidity down I alsways used the silica packs that come in electronics products and some food stuffs.

Sounds like you are on the right track.

[mrreindeer]

Great intro. Welcome to the Jungle, !




And boy do I feel your pain. My first real cigar purchase was a 1/2 box (including the box) of RP 1992's on a business trip. When I got home, I followed a fella's advice to throw a wet towel over the cigars to keep them moist. Boy was he wrong and the guy even worked at a B&M in San Francisco! The remainder of the cigars (about 5 of them) turned moldy and I had to throw 'em out.

The advice the mods here & others have given is great. You're definitely on your way down the slope. Just realize you can't control it , sit back, relax & have a cigar.

Oh, and remember, it's only as complicated as you make it.

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.

Too humid? Donnie's suggestion of the silica pak is good; there are other antihumidity packs out there too.

Tupperdor....I still have one in my Vino (Vinotemp - special wine fridge converted to humidor) and remember, it seals very well. You might not even need a humidification device in there as long as your cigars are well humidified. I had a humidification device in mine & noticed the humidity had crept up to 70% which was higher than I wanted. I took out the device & it holds steady at 65%.