why 65%?

[noby]

I have always thought that 70% is the optimum humidity to store cigars but it seems like most of the fellow brothers keep their cigars at 65%.

I am new here and have no idea why.
If you could kindly tell me why, it will be truly appreciated.

 

[twenty5]

You should head over to introductions and tell us about yourself:
[ame="http://www.botl.org/community/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=23"]Introductions - BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf[/ame]

As for your question, 70% tends to be too moist, causing burn issues during the entire duration of the cigar. I tend to like mine a bit drier, 60-65%. This also improves on the taste IMO, extra moisture tends to add a bitter taste, at least to me it does.

 

[funkejj]

Also correct me if I am wrong but cc's tend to want to be drier. I have personally experienced way to tight of a draw with my cc's when they were stored at 70%. I lowered it to 65% and have had no other issues.

 

[noby]

Thank you so much.

I will introduce myself right away.

 

[twenty5]

Also correct me if I am wrong but cc's tend to want to be drier. I have personally experienced way to tight of a draw with my cc's when they were stored at 70%. I lowered it to 65% and have had no other issues.

Not sure about that. I have had some CCs that were completely plugged even after dry boxing.

 

[hdroadglide]

that's cause their qc SUCKS!!

 

[ealfotd]

So many threads about humidification this morning. Is it because of the rain?

 

[kmckinn3]

My box tends to stay at 70... I open it up to let it drop a little but it will go right back to 70. :dunno:

 

[Speedbump]

I agree I have found that cigars taste burn and age better at 65 opus is a good example

 

[Humidor Minister]

Also correct me if I am wrong but cc's tend to want to be drier. I have personally experienced way to tight of a draw with my cc's when they were stored at 70%. I lowered it to 65% and have had no other issues.

I agree. I like my CC's around 59% to 61% any more than that and they draw like a stick. Everything else I keep at 65% and they smoke perfect.

 

[derfatdutchman]

I agree storing at 65% humidity results in a better smoke, and better ageing.

 

[bwhyte]

I am working down to about 65% to see the difference!

 

[Mitch]

Two reasons here, first is I use beads and it seems like 65% beads average 65-68 where 70% beads average 70-73 and I like the lower range. Second is it just seems like all cigars smoke well at 65 while only most smoke well at 70 for me.

 

[kmckinn3]

Sorry to post the same thing again really... but I could use some advice. I have 2 desktop humis and both are full. One usually reads about 68% and has a florist foam humidifier and the other usually reads at 70% and just has a HumidiPak in it. I'd like them both to be between 60 and 65% so I let them breath until they get down to 62 and then I'll close them. They go right back to where they were. Is this because the florist foam and HumidiPaks are made to keep that RH? If so, I need to buy beads or crystals huh?
Thanks guys

 

[twenty5]

Sorry to post the same thing again really... but I could use some advice. I have 2 desktop humis and both are full. One usually reads about 68% and has a florist foam humidifier and the other usually reads at 70% and just has a HumidiPak in it. I'd like them both to be between 60 and 65% so I let them breath until they get down to 62 and then I'll close them. They go right back to where they were. Is this because the florist foam and HumidiPaks are made to keep that RH? If so, I need to buy beads or crystals huh?
Thanks guys

The florist foam is garbage. The only ways to get a spot on RH level in a smaller humi is to get beads or use Boveda packets. HumidiPaks and florist foam only lets humidity out, not in. If you picked up beads or bovedas, they soak up excess moisture over a set parameter.

 

[ealfotd]

Two reasons here, first is I use beads and it seems like 65% beads average 65-68 where 70% beads average 70-73 and I like the lower range. Second is it just seems like all cigars smoke well at 65 while only most smoke well at 70 for me.

I use the 70% beads in my humis and they stay right at 69%. I personally keep my cigars at a slightly higher humidity because I smoke way too fast and I find they tend to burn a little cooler if stored at a higher humidity. (Just my theory, I have no science to back that up).

 

[kmckinn3]

The florist foam is garbage. The only ways to get a spot on RH level in a smaller humi is to get beads or use Boveda packets. HumidiPaks and florist foam only lets humidity out, not in. If you picked up beads or bovedas, they soak up excess moisture over a set parameter.

Thanks 25. I'll be grabbin some Bovedas tomorrow.

 

[JRL]

Thanks 25. I'll be grabbin some Bovedas tomorrow.

Bovedas work great but you have to replace them. Beads last forever if taken care of. Beads are the way to go if you can go that route. Love mine.

 

[kmckinn3]

Bovedas work great but you have to replace them. Beads last forever if taken care of. Beads are the way to go if you can go that route. Love mine.

Thanks jeeper. I'll be grabbin some beads tomorrow :grin:

 

[Cigary43]

I keep 70% beads in my humidors. I have spent so much time reading about what the "perfect" RH is for cigars and it seems every expert has a recommended avg. and that is between 68-72. Any lower than 65% and they say you WILL lose oils in the cigar over time. This is part of an article that seems to make more sense in this area of what is the right RH:

Tobacco should be kept at a relative humidity which just keeps the leaves pliable without swelling them. Since that pliability is based on the interaction of the cellular membranes with the air surrounding them, *relative humidity*, not absolute moisture content is what's important. This isn't chemistry, it's mechanics - on a cellular level. Ideally, the correct point is 70-73% regardless of temperature. At 70% relative humidity (a measure which by definition is independent of temperature) cigar leaves become pliable without swelling. at 75% or higher, the cells begin to swell. at 68% or lower, they can become brittle. These points are regardless of the ambient temperature or the absolute moisture content.

It's like the "chicken and egg",,,,my humidors are pegged at 69% which gives my OCD a break and I love 70% beads. I use to run myself ragged before beads and quite frankly made the whole cigar storage one big PIA. For anyone who is still trying to maintain their humidors or storage area without beads,,,,pay the money and get the best thing out there. After all look how much you have already spent on your sticks, your hats, clothes, accessories and you want to skimp now on what is the best thing for them? No Brainer,,,BEADS!!