High RH Reading?

[K Williams]

I bought a 300 count humidor, seasoned it with the 84% RH packets for two weeks, then loaded it to capacity with cigars. I added Heartfelt Industries 70% beads contained in their tubes, plus two 72% Boveda packets. Do you all have any idea why the hydrometer is reading 80% RH three days later?

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[Robertsndr68]

Your beads might be saturated. You can dry them out. Just not sure how if they're in tubes.

 

[rev.b]

Put them in the freezer overnight it will pull the moisture out of them.

 

[Jfire]

Open the humi for a day or two and let out the half gallon of moisture in it.


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[Cigary43]

This is a common thing for those who want to season their new humidors and one can season it with a sponge/cloth or put a shot glass of DW in there for a few days. I've done so many humidors that the easiest way to season is just to very "lightly" take a sponge and wipe the inside of it...let it air out for 24 hours and then put your cigars in there and depending on the size of your humidor fill it to at least 3/4 or you will fight with the RH in there. Your next choice is what type of media you want...beads are good and so is KL of which I use...it's up to everybody to choose what you want. The reason I like KL so well is because you can dial in exactly what you want your RH to be..with beads it sometimes takes a few days as it will jump around esp. when you have seasoned your humidor. KL doesn't care if you season or not...it is a one way source so it's up to the individual as to where they want their RH number to be.

 

[wantacigar]

Humidity too high IMHO. Over the years I've kept them at 70% to 72% thinking that was the perfect RH. Over the past year or two I've brought it down to 66% to 69% trying to keep it at around 67%. I've found the sticks burn better and taste better. Try bringing down with a 65% or 69% boveda when you dry your beads out a bit.

 

[wantacigar]

BTW: To answer your question; when you seasoned the humi you placed your sticks in the humi that is at 85% RH (and I'm assuming they came from a 70% to a 72% environment already) the RH is equalizing at the 80%.

 

[K Williams]

This is a common thing for those who want to season their new humidors and one can season it with a sponge/cloth or put a shot glass of DW in there for a few days. I've done so many humidors that the easiest way to season is just to very "lightly" take a sponge and wipe the inside of it...let it air out for 24 hours and then put your cigars in there and depending on the size of your humidor fill it to at least 3/4 or you will fight with the RH in there. Your next choice is what type of media you want...beads are good and so is KL of which I use...it's up to everybody to choose what you want. The reason I like KL so well is because you can dial in exactly what you want your RH to be..with beads it sometimes takes a few days as it will jump around esp. when you have seasoned your humidor. KL doesn't care if you season or not...it is a one way source so it's up to the individual as to where they want their RH number to be.

What is "KL"? Thanks.

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[ENV]

This is a common thing for those who want to season their new humidors and one can season it with a sponge/cloth or put a shot glass of DW in there for a few days. I've done so many humidors that the easiest way to season is just to very "lightly" take a sponge and wipe the inside of it...let it air out for 24 hours and then put your cigars in there and depending on the size of your humidor fill it to at least 3/4 or you will fight with the RH in there. Your next choice is what type of media you want...beads are good and so is KL of which I use...it's up to everybody to choose what you want. The reason I like KL so well is because you can dial in exactly what you want your RH to be..with beads it sometimes takes a few days as it will jump around esp. when you have seasoned your humidor. KL doesn't care if you season or not...it is a one way source so it's up to the individual as to where they want their RH number to be.

Whst is "KL"? Thanks.

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KL= Kitty Litter

 

[wantacigar]

Some brands of Kitty Litter use similar silica gel beads as humidity beads marketed for cigars. They are type b silica gel. The shapes may differ from brand to brand and the bead sizes vary also. The common brands are Exquisicat and Ultra Pearls. These brands are hard to find on Long Island. I believe Petsmart sells Exquisicat but have not seen it. Walmart has Mimi Cat. This is good but the bead sizes are smaller and won't work well in a nylon stocking. Heartfelt beads seem to be the favorite. I don't know about Heartfelt but other silica beads (Including KL) as well as the HCM clay beads can be trained to keep different RH levels.

As to my previous response; You could bring down the RH by removing the humidification elements and keeping the humi slightly ajar until the RH comes down. The air will try to equalize to the ambient RH. Once the RH comes down to below 70% add the Heartfelt back into the humi after they have dried out a bit. They will dry out a bit by leaving in the room that has a lower RH. Unfortunately, there is a lot of moisture and rain in the forecast for the next several days and you may have to dry out your beads another way.

BTW; Cigary43 is the resident expert on KL. The man has more cigars than most B&M's :ccool:

 

[StogieNinja]

First things first... what hygrometer are you using? If it's the one that came with the humidor, throw it away.

If you're using a reliable hygrometer...

BTW: To answer your question; when you seasoned the humi you placed your sticks in the humi that is at 85% RH (and I'm assuming they came from a 70% to a 72% environment already) the RH is equalizing at the 80%.

...there's your answer.


Personally, I'd strongly recommend ditching the 70%+ stuff and getting a couple of 65% Bovedas or using 100% Kitty Litter. Most cigars, IMO, smoke much better closer to the mid 60's. Some smoke better in the lower 60's. I've never yet had a cigar smoke better at 70% than at 65%.

KL is your easiest solution right now. Get some of that and pour it into a nylon stocking. Put the dry KL into the humidor with all the cigars and I'm guessing it drops to 64% and stays there. If it dips below, pull it out, give it a little spritz of distilled water, and put it back in. Easy peasy.

 

[wantacigar]

Came across this thread and may answer your question also.

Thread in What's your storage setup?

 

[K Williams]

First things first... what hygrometer are you using? If it's the one that came with the humidor, throw it away.

If you're using a reliable hygrometer...

BTW: To answer your question; when you seasoned the humi you placed your sticks in the humi that is at 85% RH (and I'm assuming they came from a 70% to a 72% environment already) the RH is equalizing at the 80%.

...there's your answer.


Personally, I'd strongly recommend ditching the 70%+ stuff and getting a couple of 65% Bovedas or using 100% Kitty Litter. Most cigars, IMO, smoke much better closer to the mid 60's. Some smoke better in the lower 60's. I've never yet had a cigar smoke better at 70% than at 65%.

KL is your easiest solution right now. Get some of that and pour it into a nylon stocking. Put the dry KL into the humidor with all the cigars and I'm guessing it drops to 64% and stays there. If it dips below, pull it out, give it a little spritz of distilled water, and put it back in. Easy peasy.

I'm using a digital hydrometer that I calibrated...

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[Jfire]

And..... once again u could open the humi for a day (or three) and let it dry out. Literally just open the lid. thats all! Guys are W A Y over thinking this. Btw I would definitely remove the 80% RH stuff and get either HF beads or KL.


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[King Kill 33]

Yes. Lift the lid for a day, throw your cigars in, and whatever Boveda humidity you choose. It'll settle out. I seasoned mine in 6 hours. Sure it will fluctuate the first few days, but your cigars won't notice.
As long as your cigars are stabilized at 66/66 or what ever you are shooting for, for a week or so, you should be good.
I'm sure there's a right way, and this probably isn't it, but I've never had burn issues associated with over/under humidifying. Keep your temp stable and bovi's will do the rest!


KK33

 

[King Kill 33]

I saw the size of your humi after I reread it. But do let some humidity out as JFire suggests by keeping your door cracked open. If you slowly let it out, that might work for ya.


KK33

 

[Heath]

And..... once again u could open the humi for a day (or three) and let it dry out. Literally just open the lid. thats all! Guys are W A Y over thinking this. Btw I would definitely remove the 80% RH stuff and get either HF beads or KL.


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Agreed.


Heath

 

[K Williams]

And..... once again u could open the humi for a day (or three) and let it dry out. Literally just open the lid. thats all! Guys are W A Y over thinking this. Btw I would definitely remove the 80% RH stuff and get either HF beads or KL.


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I took the 84% Boveda packs out of the humidor after 2 weeks...

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