Bought my first humidor

[sportsmedjosh]

Hi everyone! While I purchased my first humidor today and hopefully it'll come soon. This is what I purchased as I had a giftcard from amazon.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/75-100-Cigar-Humidor-with-Inlay/dp/B000H69QT8/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1225846167&sr=8-44"]Amazon.com: 75-100 Cigar Humidor with Inlay: Home & Garden[/ame]

My question for you now is what do I need to get so I can be ready for it when it comes.

 

[uncelnino]

RH Beads and a digital hygrometer

 

[sportsmedjosh]

RH Beads from heartfield and what type of digital hygrometer? Can I just place the beads in.

 

[Daviso27]

Ahhhh....I remember my first humi.


Nice score!

 

[sportsmedjosh]

It was either a humidor or a USB Flash Drive called IronKey.

 

[uncelnino]

you can put the beads in mesh bags, bowls, tubes, pretty much whatever you want, just don't put them in the humidor without being in a container. As for the hygrometer, i usually get the round one that is around $24 from either heartfelt or cigarmony. You also need to decide what RH you want to keep your humi at so you can order the appropriate beads. I would recommend 69% for you.

 

[sportsmedjosh]

I was thinking about going with those humdipak's at first and then adding beads later. What are the pro's and con's about this method.

 

[uncelnino]

that is fine, probably a good way to start until you are comfortable with your set up. Go for it.

 

[sportsmedjosh]

Would it hurt to do both and I also heard that the sheets made of beads were fine to use compared to the actual beads. How do you know how many beads to use.

 

[Cigary43]

you might want to season your humi before doing anything and let it sit over night with a capful of water after seasoning. Nice lookin humidor as I have one that looks like it but you're deal was better. Enjoy.

 

[dpricenator]

The humipacks will need to be replaced more often that the beads. I like the 65% beads, but to each his own. Look up how to season a humidor, do not wipe it down with water. You can get away with 1 tube of beads in that humi, but 2 would be better. The hygros sold by our sponsors are great, and you can calibrate them.

season, season , season

 

[sportsmedjosh]

I'm debating between these two
http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HTH_1

and this

http://www.cigarmony.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=81

Would this work for seasoning: http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/proddetail.asp?prod=BV_2_Seasoning

and something from here not quite sure what would be best for my humidor.

Also is someone wants to help me pick out what I need that would be very helpful advice.

 

[uncelnino]

Sure, the seasoning packs work but take a while. I usually put several cups/bowls of distilled water and keep the humi closed for about 72 hours, that should be enough to do it, make sure the hygrometer has been calibrated and check the RH to make sure though.

That hygrometer should be fine as well.

 

[tazbigdog]

It took about 2 weeks to season mine with sponges and distilled water. Make sure you use distilled!

 

[sportsmedjosh]

Sure, the seasoning packs work but take a while. I usually put several cups/bowls of distilled water and keep the humi closed for about 72 hours, that should be enough to do it, make sure the hygrometer has been calibrated and check the RH to make sure though.

That hygrometer should be fine as well.

How do you calibrate the hygrometer if you need to season first after reading this topic still confuses me.

 

[uncelnino]

you can be calibrating you hygrometer while you are seasoning the humi, once the 72 hours has passed the hygo and humi should be ready. Put the hygro in the humi and let it sit for a few hours and then look at the reading.

 

[dpricenator]

Here is a good place to start when it comes to seasoning

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=3277&highlight=seasoning+humidor

 

[sportsmedjosh]

This all makes sense now thank you all.

 

[JRL]

Congrats on the purchase.
I would go with the beads. I went the other route for a while and wondered why when I did get beads.
Be patient when seasoning your humidor remember that once you season it you will not have to do it again as long as the humidity is kept good.
Get a digital hygrometer.
Welcome aboard, better start saving for a bigger one:glassesgr

 

[Ducky]

To Calibrate your hygrometer, simply put some water in a milk cap and add a little bit of salt, then place your hygrometer in a ziplock bag with the cap and salt water and let it sit for about six hours. It should read 75%, if not then just adjust the small screw on the back to read 75%. If there isn't a screw(but there should be) then you will just have to remember to add or subtract the amount it is off by. do this before you begin to season your humi so that you get an accurate read out while you are. As far as a humidification device I use the Diamond Crown ones, and have liked them, although a little pricey. Also there is some stuff on JRCigars.com called Madelaine Crystal Clear Humidifier Gel, which I also use and like. Just make sure that you are using distilled water and Congrats on the purchase. If there is anything else I can help you out on, I would be more then happy to at least try.