Hygrometer calibration

[Constantine]

Hello fellow cigar enthusiasts, I have a quick question that I am having a problem with. I have two hygrometers that I have had stored away for a while and decided to calibrate them and make sure they are accurate. I did the salt test and after a 8-24hr period I checked the readings. One was reading 64 and the other was 69%. I know the humidity levels out at 75% in the bag, Let's take the 69% one for example. Do I add the 6 to get an accurate reading of 75%? Or do I assume it is at 75% but reading 69% so I would subtract let's say 5 or more to get to an accurate reading of 70% or below that I am aiming for?

 

[CATom]

Digital or analog?

 

[Constantine]

Digital or analog?

They are digital

 

[CATom]

Mine have a calibration button that you press and hold, it then defaults to 75%...
Hope that helps.

 

[Constantine]

Thanks for the reply CATom, Both of them have no way of automatic calibration that I can tell. They are a cheap brand, acurite or something like that.

 

[UpInSmoke]

Salt is for food lol. And if its reading 69 but is really 75 then you add 6. As in, if you put the hygro in the humi and it reads 60 its really reading 66

 

[Wanger]

When you did the salt test did you use ziplock bag or an air tight sealed container? I've been told to always use the air tight container for proper results.

 

[Constantine]

Thanks for the reply both of you. To Upinsmoke, that makes sense, I was thinking that if it read 69% and it was actually at 75 then adding the 6 would go past 75%. And to Wanger, I used a ziplock bag. Maybe I will recalibrate them using a container just to make sure

 

[Rupe]

Upinsmoke is right on with the math involved.

Doing them in a ziplock should be OK as long as it is a newer one and not a cheap off brand. If you leave a little bit of extra air in it (like a pillow) then push on the bag and it holds its air OK (no leaks) you should be fine. My only other suggestion to get the most accurate reading would be to leave them in the bag for as long as your patience allows. A minimum of 24 hours would be best and 48 hours would be suggested.

Good luck!

 

[Constantine]

Upinsmoke is right on with the math involved.

Doing them in a ziplock should be OK as long as it is a newer one and not a cheap off brand. If you leave a little bit of extra air in it (like a pillow) then push on the bag and it holds its air OK (no leaks) you should be fine. My only other suggestion to get the most accurate reading would be to leave them in the bag for as long as your patience allows. A minimum of 24 hours would be best and 48 hours would be suggested.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply bd, I will go ahead and calibrate them and let them sit for 48hr instead of the 24. Now that you guys have cleared up the numbers for me I will go ahead and use the math when compensating for the off amount. I may just end up scrapping them if they are too off, I just wanted to see if they could be used for any future cigar projects. I appreciate the input