I ordered 2 of the medium 65% one for each of my 50 counts. I'm not sure if I did something wrong, but the beads seem to be turning white very quickly and I seem to be rehydrating the sticks once every 5-6 days. They are not holding 65% RH for long. I don't have a mister so I drizzle DW over the tubes like the directions say. However, after I do that and towel off the tube, the RH spikes to around 68-69 if I dont shake out almost all the excess DW. If anyone can tell me how I'm messing this seemingly idiot-proof process up I would appreciate it!
Heartfelt Issues?
- Thread starter DJSkopes
- Start date
I would say reseason the humidor. They should not be drying out that quickly. Also, how big is your humidor and did you check to make sure you ordered enough to humidify that space? I know that sounds stupid but I made sure I had extra when I ordered. My humidor only holds 100 and I put two of the small round disks, which together will keep the humidor at proper RH for up to 1080 cubic inches, which is enough for my humidor and I rarely have to rehydrate them, even when the humi is almost empty. Once or twice a month is how often I have to rehydrate them and that is hydrating half and leaving the other half dry for reabsorption. Also, how dry is the climate you live in?
could be number of reasons leaky humidor, over/under filled, change in ambient temp. Lot of different variables need some more info.
1)What were you using before and did that hold a steady Rh?
2)Are you using a digital or analong Hygro?
3) how often are you opening the humidor?
1)What were you using before and did that hold a steady Rh?
2)Are you using a digital or analong Hygro?
3) how often are you opening the humidor?
Follow-up...I did some calculating and I have about 400 CI of space in each humidor. The HF sticks I got will handle 540 CI. So I should be good there. I'm using a digital hygrometer. I'm going to re-calibrate it now just to make sure I'm getting accurate readings. I have both humidors roughly 60-70% full. I will try to re-season both if I can't get the issues resolved. I haven't seasoned either one in over a year. I am opening the humidors pretty frequently, probably once a day just to read the hygrometer or grab a stick. But they are open for maybe 10-15 seconds. I have thought about whether or not they leak, I''ll have to figure out a way to check.
StogieNinja
Derek | BoM June 2014
Try the dollar bill test. Close the lid over a dollar bill and pull. It shouldn't slide out, if you can pull it through easily, you've got a poor seal. Alternately, put a flashlight inside and take the thing into a dark room. If you see light, you have a leak. Finally, check the thickness of the bottom. It might have thick walls and a great seal, but if the bottom is thin, the rH is likely seeping right out the bottom.
I'd recommend ditching the cheap wooden humis and getting either a cooler or a large tupperware.
I'd recommend ditching the cheap wooden humis and getting either a cooler or a large tupperware.
check for leaks, if you don't find any then the ambient Rh is the probelm? winter usually brings about the low rh problem cause people crank up the heat in the winter which dries out the air. may only be open for 10-15 sec but if it's letting in dry air your beads will dry out quicker