Low humidity solution

[Mr. McSquirelly]

My humidor has dipped to 63% RH. I know what some will say. That's not tragic. But honestly, I enjoy mine around 68-70. I live in a dry climate, so a little extra humidity makes them burn better. The humidor seems stuck here. I want to take all the cigars out and put a damp sponge in the empty humidor. In a sense, re-seasoning almost after a year since I first seasoned it. Honestly, the box has been rock solid for a whole year. But I want the RH higher. Should I just leave the cigars in there and put a shot glass of distilled water in there as well? Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hot grits]

What do you use for humidity control? If your humidor is at 63, I dont think you have to reseason. I have to move up to 72 bovedas in the winter to get to 65ish rh . Then i drop it down in the summer. Might wanna try something like that.

 

[Whtwtrman79]

I would agree with grits, add some bovedas, and I would leave a tiny shot glass too til the humidity starts to raise

I would not re season it will likely take longer than u expect but u can recharge the bovedas and reuse them

 

[Mr. McSquirelly]

What do you use for humidity control? If your humidor is at 63, I dont think you have to reseason. I have to move up to 72 bovedas in the winter to get to 65ish rh . Then i drop it down in the summer. Might wanna try something like that.

I would agree with grits, add some bovedas, and I would leave a tiny shot glass too til the humidity starts to raise

I would not re season it will likely take longer than u expect but u can recharge the bovedas and reuse them

Thank you, guys. That's actually the first time me and that box have endured a winter together. It never occurred to me that the dry, less humid and cooler winter air would have an effect on my internal RH. But it now makes sense, because all summer and fall it held rock solid at 68 percent. My cigars smoked beautifully all summer. This winter a few that I had in there since spring and summer started cracking during smoking. I was like, WTF, man! I noticed my RH had dropped to a 65-60 high/low reading on hygrometer. Whereas it used to read 70-65, which is the fluctuation point I like best.
As far as my humidification device, it's homemade. It's a credo without floral foam. I replaced foam with polymers and filled those with 3 ounces of 80-20 pg solution. I like small doses of PG for two reasons. 1) It stops the release of water molecules when RH hits 70 percent. 2) It's an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial agent. Thanks again.

 

[sofc]

what's a polymer?

 

[herfdog]

what's a polymer?

its a substance that has a molecular structure consisting of a large number of similar units bonded together. Think plastic. He's refering to crystals and beads, or kitty litter, I believe.

 

[sofc]

I know what a polymer is. I should have been clearer.

What are you referring to specifically when you mentioned the word "polymer?"

Is that better?

 

[herfdog]

Thank you, guys. That's actually the first time me and that box have endured a winter together. It never occurred to me that the dry, less humid and cooler winter air would have an effect on my internal RH. But it now makes sense, because all summer and fall it held rock solid at 68 percent. My cigars smoked beautifully all summer. This winter a few that I had in there since spring and summer started cracking during smoking. I was like, WTF, man! I noticed my RH had dropped to a 65-60 high/low reading on hygrometer. Whereas it used to read 70-65, which is the fluctuation point I like best.
As far as my humidification device, it's homemade. It's a credo without floral foam. I replaced foam with polymers and filled those with 3 ounces of 80-20 pg solution. I like small doses of PG for two reasons. 1) It stops the release of water molecules when RH hits 70 percent. 2) It's an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial agent. Thanks again.

I replaced the foam of my Credo Rondos with HF beads. also blocked the bottom holes. Useless and the main cause of issue on stock rondos.
I'm with @sofc - what exactly are you talking about with polymer, that uses Propylen Glycol?
With only distilled water over silica beads or crystals, the process not only stops at a set RH, but starts absorbing, making it a 2-way system, without any fungal or bacterial problem...
So, polymer with propylen glycol gets me very curious. You know how puppies are when they get curious?

 

[Mr. McSquirelly]

I know what a polymer is. I should have been clearer.

What are you referring to specifically when you mentioned the word "polymer?"

Is that better?

Sorry, guys! Polymer crystals, super-absorbent polymers, or gel: http://www.soilmoist.com/products/soil-moist.php, http://www.stogiefresh.info/edu-humidors/articles/beads-vs-polymers.html. I use a 50/50 PG solution that I make myself with distilled water and propylene glycol. I fill the bottom of Credo with a tablespoon of crystals and then pour 3 ounces of solution over them. I tried using just Distilled water, but humidity kept rising to 78 percent. PG solution is a hygroscopic and stops the release of moisture when RH is 70 percent.