I ordered my first humidor online a little while ago, and it finally showed up a few days ago. It's a basic glass-top model that wasn't too expensive for a starving college student and all that.
Pretty standard, cherry finish, all Spanish cedar lined. It was advertised as 100 count, but from what I understand, I can expect a bit less out of it - not a problem (for now...)
It's got the removable shelf with a moveable divider, and two large adjustable dividers in the bottom. All stuff you guys have seen I'm sure.
However, the first thing I was concerned with when trying to season it was the seal. It wasn't that good. Even with the lid closed, it had a little play (I could rock it up and down by pressing on a corner.) So, after reading some advice, I used masking tape to build up the rim that extends down into the box from the lid. I was satisfied with 3 layers.
Now it closes tight. If the lid is allowed to drop down, it rests, and I have to push it down firmly so it "thunks" into place. Nice.
My next concern was the hygrometer. I know that the analog ones in this situation aren't terrific, and I'm going to get an electronic one, but it needs to be in the front, and plus, it looks classy. It came like so:
I decided not to mess with the magnet, and carefully caulked the rim on the hygrometer to the soft plastic ring that came with it. Then I put a layer of caulk around the hole in the front, pushed the hygrometer in after it, and cleaned up the excess. Finally, I went in through the back and caulked the bejeezus out of the seam inside.
Cool deal. From the outside, it looks normal.
Now, I've got the caulk all ready to go, and I'm pretty suspicious about the quality of this bad boy at this point. Plus, I have trouble leaving well enough alone. So, I laid down a bead of caulk along the underside of the glass top. Fluctuate this!
Now, this bad boy is currently drying, because the caulk needs 24 hours to cure before exposure to moisture. And there is soon to be a good deal of that! However, I've got a couple questions about seasoning/hydrating this guy. I've currently got the following with me:
That's the humidifier that came with the humidor, 2 oz. of Crystal Gel humidification beads, and a shot glass. Distilled water only!
Now, to do the initial seasoning, what should I place in the humi? Just the shot glass for a few days? Or the glass and the crystals? All three?
Also, once I do that, and I start filling with sticks, how much should I use to keep the humidity? Just the Crystal Gel, or will I need the humidifier too?
Thanks for any help you guys can offer. It'll be great to have a nice looking humidor instead of tupperware now.
Pretty standard, cherry finish, all Spanish cedar lined. It was advertised as 100 count, but from what I understand, I can expect a bit less out of it - not a problem (for now...)
It's got the removable shelf with a moveable divider, and two large adjustable dividers in the bottom. All stuff you guys have seen I'm sure.
However, the first thing I was concerned with when trying to season it was the seal. It wasn't that good. Even with the lid closed, it had a little play (I could rock it up and down by pressing on a corner.) So, after reading some advice, I used masking tape to build up the rim that extends down into the box from the lid. I was satisfied with 3 layers.
Now it closes tight. If the lid is allowed to drop down, it rests, and I have to push it down firmly so it "thunks" into place. Nice.
My next concern was the hygrometer. I know that the analog ones in this situation aren't terrific, and I'm going to get an electronic one, but it needs to be in the front, and plus, it looks classy. It came like so:
I decided not to mess with the magnet, and carefully caulked the rim on the hygrometer to the soft plastic ring that came with it. Then I put a layer of caulk around the hole in the front, pushed the hygrometer in after it, and cleaned up the excess. Finally, I went in through the back and caulked the bejeezus out of the seam inside.
Cool deal. From the outside, it looks normal.
Now, I've got the caulk all ready to go, and I'm pretty suspicious about the quality of this bad boy at this point. Plus, I have trouble leaving well enough alone. So, I laid down a bead of caulk along the underside of the glass top. Fluctuate this!
Now, this bad boy is currently drying, because the caulk needs 24 hours to cure before exposure to moisture. And there is soon to be a good deal of that! However, I've got a couple questions about seasoning/hydrating this guy. I've currently got the following with me:
That's the humidifier that came with the humidor, 2 oz. of Crystal Gel humidification beads, and a shot glass. Distilled water only!
Now, to do the initial seasoning, what should I place in the humi? Just the shot glass for a few days? Or the glass and the crystals? All three?
Also, once I do that, and I start filling with sticks, how much should I use to keep the humidity? Just the Crystal Gel, or will I need the humidifier too?
Thanks for any help you guys can offer. It'll be great to have a nice looking humidor instead of tupperware now.
