Frusterated, need help.

[kyleb]

frustrated as hell!

My vinotemp is loaded with two digi hygros, both perfectly calibrated. I have 1.5 LBS of 65% beads. The temp is set to 65, all readouts say the same thing - 65% and 65degrees. Perfect.

I take a cigar out to smoke, lit it, and it instantly explodes. The wrapper just starts bursting open throughout the cigar.

What the hell? I understand over-humidified cigars will explode, but mine are kept at a perfect 65.

I live very close to the beach, does the humidity outside have something to do with this?

Please, help!!

 

[Kurtdesign1]

My understanding is that the exterior humidity can definitely have an impact on a cigar, though you won't see it immediately. If you're smoking in a steam room, I suppose it's possible to see quick results.
I would say that in all likelihood you either had a broken binder leaf or a hairline split wrapper which caused a "path of least resistance" for the tobaccos to expand when heated given that they're not restricted. This leads to another point, if ever smoking a plugged or very tight cigar, take the wrapper leaf off. The lack of restriction will allow the cigar to naturally swell when being smoked & at times cause the blockage to no longer come into play. I've seen 4 Rg increases on larger cigars. And yes, cigars are still smokeable without their wrapper & often taste exactly as they did with it.

My guess is this is a one time thing.

 

[kyleb]

Yea.. I wish it were a one time thing.. But it's been happening to about half of the sticks I smoke, for the last few weeks.

The RH outside is around 80%.

Hrmm..

 

[Jwrussell]

Kyleb, I live in Tampa. Our RH is always that high and I don't have this issue. Couple of things. What kind of hygro are you using? Is it the self calibrated ones? Are these new cigars? How long have they been in the cooler? If I had to guess, I would say that the cigars have not completely settled down yet...

 

[indyrob]

If you squeeze the cigar gently, it should have a little spring to it. If you squeeze it and it stays deformed, it's to wet.

Dry box it for a while before you smoke it and see if that helps. You can also run the cigar under running water (make sure you remove the excess water off) for a second to get the wrapper a boost of moisture so it won't blowup when you smoke it.

 

[kyleb]

If you squeeze the cigar gently, it should have a little spring to it. If you squeeze it and it stays deformed, it's to wet.

Dry box it for a while before you smoke it and see if that helps. You can also run the cigar under running water (make sure you remove the excess water off) for a second to get the wrapper a boost of moisture so it won't blowup when you smoke it.

No shit? Crazy. I've never heard this, I'll give it a try.

I use a $75 dual hygro from Radio Shack, self calibrated, quadruple checked, and a small single cheap calibrated hygro.

You bring up a good point, I think the cigars that have been exploding may be cigars I bought from other members. Maybe they need to adjust to my settings for a longer time

 

[indyrob]

No shit? Crazy. I've never heard this, I'll give it a try.

Yeah...wrappers blow up because the moisture content of the filler is greater than the wrapper. Your cigars could have an ambient humidity level that is higher than what your setup is putting out. Your new cigars could take weeks to equalize to your settings....which is one of the reasons why your told to let cigars rest after getting them home.

 

[Jwrussell]

There you go. Give 'em more time and make sure you are smoking cigars that have had a chance to equalize. :thumbsup:

 

[kyleb]

Copy that..

Looks like I won't be touching my yummmmies sampler for a while :crying:

 

[Soundwave13]

I'd thow in some 70% beads.

Plus it will reduce the waiting time when you add new sticks.

Just my .02.

 

[jmatkins]

I try to not smokes cigars I got from other for a few weeks just in case they run ther humidity at 70%. I like mine around 60%, and that goes for new purchases as well, most vendors are over humidified so I let them rest as long as I can.

 

[Jwrussell]

I'd thow in some 70% beads.

Plus it will reduce the waiting time when you add new sticks.

Just my .02.

You'll just be battling between the beads. Doesn't really work well. Unless you are saying swap the 65 for 70 which is a whole different argument.

 

[GotaCohiba]

Do your hygro's have temp as well?
If not, my vinotemp display is off by 5 degrees.
Totally changing the preferred humidity.
Just a thought.

 

[Soundwave13]

Swap em.

Unless your aging or housing loads of CCs - I'd personally go with 70%.

 

[CWS]

Mixing the beads seems like a good idea but doesnt work. I find 70% too high and keep my stash at 65 to 68%. I really try and rest cigars that have traveled 30 days. I usually dont make it and often regret jumping the gun.