Summer vs winter humidor

[ChefBoyRG54]

Hi all

Newbie here, first post beyond intro

I seem to be having an issue balancing out my humidors lately and not sure if the seasons play a big role. Before i trash any sticks i want to figure it out.

I'm in Michigan so a 4 season area(2 if using the winter/construction season chart). During the winter i had no issues. Add some cigar juice to my puck every few days and life was good at 70-71% give or take.

Lately i have added a second humidor(both 50ct little guys) and thought maybe the new puck or humi was the issue but even after mixing it up it wasn't the humi.

Does the change from winter to summer play a big role? And what are some possible remedies?

Thoughts appreciated!

ChefBoyRG54

 

[StogieNinja]

Well, first of all we don't know what the problem is. When you say you're having issues "balancing them out", what do you mean? Are things too wet? Not staying dry enough?

Even without knowing the answer to that, let me recommend that you swap your puck out for either beads or kitty litter, or at the very least, Boveda packs. You want some kind of two-way medium, to both release and absorb humidity. The puck only allows moisture to be released into the humi. You want something than can also absorb extra rh. Beads, 100% unscented kitty litter, or Boveda packs will all release moisture when necessary, and absorb it when things get too humid.


That recommendation being made...

First, I'm going to guess and assume that you're having a problem getting things high enough humidity-wise. But unless you're below say 62%, you're probably better off. At 70-71%, you risk having sticks that are going to burn hotter and more bitter and acrid, and you also risk potential mold. Most guys here (though not all) prefer humidity down at around 65%, give or take.

Second, a question: what kind of hygrometer are you using, and has it been calibrated?

Third, how long have you had the second humidor, and how did you season it? It takes several days at a bare minimum to properly season a new humi, it's possible it's still thirsty and needs more seasoning time before it's ready to regulate rh for your sticks.

Fourth, one issue may be that chinese-made 50ct humidors rarely seal well. They usually have a razor-thin bottom that lets all the humidity right out, so you'll always have problems keeping the rH up. I'd recommend ditching the humi for a tupperdore. They're much easier to maintain, and will stabilize much faster. If you need help making one, the brothers here can recommend all sorts of easy to easily accomplish the task.

One final thought could be that if you haven't filled the new humidor much, if it's mostly empty, that could also be the source of your problem. Mostly empty humidors are near impossible to keep well regulated... so assuming none of the other things are the issue, fill that baby up!

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Thanks lil ninja

By balancing out im referring to getting the humi down to 70%

My brother uses beads and i get what you are saying with the releasing humidity and sucking it back in.

Im using 2 humidors that are most likely made in china. A cheap hygrometer(is calibrated) off cbid, and 2 pucks for cigar juice.

I wasnt having any issues through the winter so i thought that may play in. Maybe if the china rigs i have leak alot, the season has an effect since its pretty humid here right now.

I just searched the sight for tupperdors and found some info. Going to read up.

Thanks for the reply.

ChefBoyRG54

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Ps- the humis are current riding too high. 75-76%

ChefBoyRG54

 

[StogieNinja]

Ah. Ok, put some dry kitty litter in there for a couple days and it should pull the rH right down. If your ambient rH is higher than 65-70, and the humidors are leaky, then that may be having an effect.

One option: coolidor.

I use this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-28-Quart-Cooler-With-Handle/dp/B000MQ63C6/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1371490454&sr=1-3&keywords=cooler+28


With four of these trays:
http://www.cheaphumidors.com/p_cedar-tray_TRAY.html


And some of this in a flat tray underneath:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Pet-Pearls-Litter-5-Pound/dp/B0030HMSCI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1371490555&sr=8-6&keywords=pearl+litter



Under $100 all in for a ready-made coolidor, and you're set for a couple-hundred sticks, with enough leftover litter to last you a lifetime.


Alternatively, you could also use free cigar boxes from your local B&M instead of spending $40 on trays, and you could get a smaller quantity of litter at a local store for like $5-7, and only be in like $40 total for roughly the same effect.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Man I'm loving this site already!

I was reading up on hcm beads as possibility too. Always nice to know i have waaaay more to learn

ChefBoyRG54

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I'm going to re Cal my hygrometer tonight also just to be sure

ChefBoyRG54

 

[CWS]

When we lived in Michigan the summer wreaked havoc in the humidity levels in my diamond crown humi which is a nice box. I found every time I opened it the humidity would soar. I began storing in the basement and everything kinda evened out.

 

[TravelingJ]

Man I'm loving this site already!

I was reading up on hcm beads as possibility too. Always nice to know i have waaaay more to learn

ChefBoyRG54

You can't go wrong with HCM beads. They are the best.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

CWS- Interesting to hear similar issue. Basement makes sense, will try that out until i can get something new together

TravelingJ- thanks for the feedback!

ChefBoyRG54