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Newb Humidor

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image.jpg
Here is my humble Newb humidor...
After 4 Johnny walkers and a couple hours on the forums researching this is what I have ordered to improve my setup:
Boveda test kit
Adjustable digital hygrometer
72% Boveda pack
75% Boveda pack
85% Boveda for "seasoning"
Xicar cutter/lighter set

I went with higher % Bovedas because I don't have much confidence in my current humidor...
Is that a mistake?

The amount of info on these forums is mind-boggling! Im trying to digest it all but would appreciate some
feedback/advice from the BROTHERHOOD!
Thanks!
 
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If the base if that humidor is like every other Chinese unit out there, I'd advise sealing a piece of plexiglass or similar in the bottom. Also reworking the lid seal.

Ive made plenty a leaky crap humidor work by doing that. Though now I also do a full reline with 1/4" Spanish Cedar, it's unnecessary.

First humidors are always so exciting. I miss the excitement. Ill never forget my first dozen humidors...
 

The Munt

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I would stick to the RH you want an then it will be easier to identify if your humble humidor has issues. As for the test kit just use a boveda fresh out the pack they are rock solid. The rest was a good investment except i just rub down a new humi (cedar that is) with distilled water and leave a shot glass of distilled water in it for a time, seasoning done!

Oh and +1 you will need more space in no time
 

coppereagl

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View attachment 68931
Here is my humble Newb humidor...
After 4 Johnny walkers and a couple hours on the forums researching this is what I have ordered to improve my setup:
Boveda test kit
Adjustable digital hygrometer
72% Boveda pack
75% Boveda pack
85% Boveda for "seasoning"
Xicar cutter/lighter set

I went with higher % Bovedas because I don't have much confidence in my current humidor...
Is that a mistake?

The amount of info on these forums is mind-boggling! Im trying to digest it all but would appreciate some
feedback/advice from the BROTHERHOOD!
Thanks!
Are you going to remove your cigars while you season the humi? I dont know if it is absolutely necessary, but I would probably tupperware or bag them while you season. The boveda 84% took about 12-13 days to get mine up to 70-72%. But I had plenty of time.
My only complaint now is that I've taken out the 84% and replaced it with 2x 69% packets I cannot get my humidor back up beyond 60%(face palm). Different topic though, dont mean to jack your thread @BillEGoat
Good luck!
 
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Are you going to remove your cigars while you season the humi? I dont know if it is absolutely necessary, but I would probably tupperware or bag them while you season.
I would say yes, definitely remove the sticks while seasoning... it's the wood you want to season, not the cigars.

ETA - FWIW, I've used Boveda to season several humis, and the best results came from leaving them in a full 3 weeks.
 
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Bill,
Dont wipe that thing down anymore and hopefully you used distilled water. Tap water contains chemicals that can spur unwanted results such as, in a worst case scenario, mold. If you don't have distilled water go get some, its $.79-.99 a gallon at your local grocery store.

On the up side you are getting a good hygrometer and calibration kit so you will be able to get a reliable reading.
In the meantime, as mentioned, pull your sticks out and put them in Tupperware or a gallon size freezer bag and toss in that 62% Boveda Mark gave you.
If you really want to get a jump on the seasoning because you can't wait for the stuff to show up use a shallow dish or a shot glass and some distilled water. Place it in the humi and drop the lid for a week. By that time you should have all your stuff.

The wood on your humi will slightly expand once properly humidified so you can check the seal on it then. To do this use a piece of paper cut into strips a coupleinchpes wide. Take a strip and pinch it between the lid and base of the humi then slowly pull it out. If there is no drag the seal sucks and you'll need to make some mods. If there is drag the the seal is ok and if there is no drag the seal is great. Do this around the edges.

If your seal is good get the Boveda value you want to use (we talked about 70/65 as the most common) but 75% is going to be way too high and too close to the danger zone of mold/beetle hatching.

BTW.... You may want to skip over buying a cooler and jump right up into a winecooler to convert into a wineador. (y) If you resist it will be more painful.
 
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Bill,
Dont wipe that thing down anymore and hopefully you used distilled water. Tap water contains chemicals that can spur unwanted results such as, in a worst case scenario, mold. If you don't have distilled water go get some, its $.79-.99 a gallon at your local grocery store.

On the up side you are getting a good hygrometer and calibration kit so you will be able to get a reliable reading.
In the meantime, as mentioned, pull your sticks out and put them in Tupperware or a gallon size freezer bag and toss in that 62% Boveda Mark gave you.
If you really want to get a jump on the seasoning because you can't wait for the stuff to show up use a shallow dish or a shot glass and some distilled water. Place it in the humi and drop the lid for a week. By that time you should have all your stuff.

The wood on your humi will slightly expand once properly humidified so you can check the seal on it then. To do this use a piece of paper cut into strips a coupleinchpes wide. Take a strip and pinch it between the lid and base of the humi then slowly pull it out. If there is no drag the seal sucks and you'll need to make some mods. If there is drag the the seal is ok and if there is no drag the seal is great. Do this around the edges.

If your seal is good get the Boveda value you want to use (we talked about 70/65 as the most common) but 75% is going to be way too high and too close to the danger zone of mold/beetle hatching.

BTW.... You may want to skip over buying a cooler and jump right up into a winecooler to convert into a wineador. (y) If you resist it will be more painful.
Thanks Z! And yes, I have only ever used distilled water in this humi. I like the idea of getting a jump on seasoning and will start on that tonight. On an interesting sidenote, I am currently successfully rehydrating a small old Boveda pack (I probably got it from you Z) with some tricks I read on here yesterday.
 
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An update on the re-seasoning of my humidor... I put in a shot glass with distilled water and a folded up paper towel (trick I read somewhere...) and left it for a couple days. When I opened it up to check on things, I found what I assume to be mold growing on the wet paper towel. So does this mold indicate that my humidor is tainted with mold? Or is it just growing from the paper towel??? I don't want to take any chances, should I just toss this humidor and start from scratch? It has been made abundantly clear to me that I will need more storage anyway. I'm thinking just bite the bullet and start putting together my first wineador!!! Thoughts from the experts?
 
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Don't panic, warm temps and high rh will encourage mold... that's why you don't want to keep your rh above 70.. i prefer 65 myself. Save those 72's for when your shipping sticks. Also, throw away the little round humidifier. those things can create a breading ground for mold. the Boveda packs will work fine. I would recommend never wiping down your humi.... this could warp the wood and create leaks. I a properly sealed humi at 65rh.... mold is unlikely to form.
 
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Post that pic you sent me of the empty box. It was the first thing I thought when I saw the "stain" and a couple days later you saw it growing on the paper towel.
Personal opinion is ditch the moldy humi and start over. Your not losing much at this stage.
Here are the pics I sent to Z...
image.jpg image.jpg
So is this mold in the bottom of my humidor?..
 

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Here are the pics I sent to Z...
View attachment 69229 View attachment 69230
So is this mold in the bottom of my humidor?..
It's hard to tell because I'm looking at the photos on my phone but from what I can see I don't think so.

Take a close look at it. Is it fuzzy? If so it is mold. If not, it just may be the wood absorbing the moisture from the distilled water or possibly some sort of residue leftover from the manufacturing process.
 
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It's hard to tell because I'm looking at the photos on my phone but from what I can see I don't think so.

Take a close look at it. Is it fuzzy? If so it is mold. If not, it just may be the wood absorbing the moisture from the distilled water or possibly some sort of residue leftover from the manufacturing process.
It's not fuzzy, but I think I am going to play it safe and work on getting another humidor. It will be ziplock bags and bovedas until then...
 
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Just finished seasoning last weekend, and have been out of town for work all week this week or else I would've posted sooner! Finally have a decent little humidor that I trust, now I just need to fill it...image.jpeg
Got a 72 Boveda in there, but the new calibrated hygrometer is hovering around 66...
Finally starting to feel better after the bronchitis, so hopefully I can try out some of my newly acquired sticks this weekend!
 
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Just finished seasoning last weekend, and have been out of town for work all week this week or else I would've posted sooner! Finally have a decent little humidor that I trust, now I just need to fill it...View attachment 71086
Got a 72 Boveda in there, but the new calibrated hygrometer is hovering around 66...
Finally starting to feel better after the bronchitis, so hopefully I can try out some of my newly acquired sticks this weekend!
Looks empty to me... just sayin!
 
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