Tiburon
Apprentice BOTL
Ok, BOTL. I've been hanging out here since February or so, and I've learned a ton from all of you. But I come to you with a humidor question/problem. I bought a 50 stick humidor when I started, and didn't really season it properly. Too much in a rush. Nevertheless, I've since seen the error of my ways, and I've seasoned the humi per the great directions in JWRussel's thread.
I soaked the clean sponge in distilled water, rung it out so it was barely damp, then let it sit in the humidor for 3 days. My hygro read 80% after three days. I opened the humidor, fanned out some moist air until it hit 70%, then placed my cigars in there. The humidity continued to drop until my humidity with my calibrated digital hygro stays around 60-61% (temp is around 72-74F). I have a small 2 oz.crystal gel inside that I bought from my B&M. I also have beads on the way (expecting them tomorrow!!). I left a shotglassful of distilled water in the humidor last night (with my 20 or so cigars, the gel, and the hygro), and I looked today to find 65% humidity.
Here are my questions...
1) IMHO, the crystal gel thingy isn't getting the job done. I think it's too small for the space involved. Am I on the right path?
2) With a shotglass in there, why is my humidity only at 65%? It doesn't seem to be evaporating, just kinda sitting there.
3) Will beads cure my ills?
4) Why did I only buy a 50 count? I have 20 more smokes on the way and I'm looking at the devil site for a deal on a 100-150 count humidor. I also bought a large tube from Heartfelt in anticipation of getting a larger humidor. Should I use the smaller humi for the cigars I'd give to my not-so-cigar-inclined friends and the larger for my real stash?
Thanks in advance, folks. I already appreciate the great community here (and I'm looking very forward to getting some Undercrowns from Vitty!) and would love to learn more.
I soaked the clean sponge in distilled water, rung it out so it was barely damp, then let it sit in the humidor for 3 days. My hygro read 80% after three days. I opened the humidor, fanned out some moist air until it hit 70%, then placed my cigars in there. The humidity continued to drop until my humidity with my calibrated digital hygro stays around 60-61% (temp is around 72-74F). I have a small 2 oz.crystal gel inside that I bought from my B&M. I also have beads on the way (expecting them tomorrow!!). I left a shotglassful of distilled water in the humidor last night (with my 20 or so cigars, the gel, and the hygro), and I looked today to find 65% humidity.
Here are my questions...
1) IMHO, the crystal gel thingy isn't getting the job done. I think it's too small for the space involved. Am I on the right path?
2) With a shotglass in there, why is my humidity only at 65%? It doesn't seem to be evaporating, just kinda sitting there.
3) Will beads cure my ills?
4) Why did I only buy a 50 count? I have 20 more smokes on the way and I'm looking at the devil site for a deal on a 100-150 count humidor. I also bought a large tube from Heartfelt in anticipation of getting a larger humidor. Should I use the smaller humi for the cigars I'd give to my not-so-cigar-inclined friends and the larger for my real stash?
Thanks in advance, folks. I already appreciate the great community here (and I'm looking very forward to getting some Undercrowns from Vitty!) and would love to learn more.