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Last post 20 years ago by ajeroth. 12 replies replies.
Temperature and Hygrometers......
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ajeroth Offline
#1 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 2:37 AM EST
Joined: 07-17-2003
Posts: 1,000
Well this is kind of a two parter. First off I've noticed the temperature in my humidor is a little high. I realize that it's hot out being summer and all. Besides the obvious Air conditioner answer are there any suggestions on keeping it cooler. I keep it out of direct sunlight and I have fans on in the house. I'm trying but its just not working. Now its up to about 79 degrees F. This has to do with the second part as well. I have purchased two seperate Temp/Hygrometers. One is the regular flat thin rectangular job. And the other is the Little Havanna one that looks like a small cigar. The Little Havanna agrees with my analog hygrometer but not with the other flat digital which tends to be higher by as much as 5 degrees of humidity. And the temp on both is within 1 degree. So thats not a problem. What I want to know is if anybody else has had problems with digital hygrometers? A constant difference of five degrees of humidity at this time of year could cost me my entire 150 smokes.... I tend to agree with the little havanna one being as it has the lower RH anlong side the higher temp. Scientificaly thats the way its supposed to work. But I have doubts now.... Sorry for the length. Any help would be appreciated.

Allen
CigarNewb Offline
#2 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 2:48 AM EST
Joined: 04-24-2003
Posts: 127
As for the temp, you may want to go beyond keeping it out of just DIRECT sunlight. i would try keeping your humi lower, maybe on the floor in a darker corner seeing as heat rises. The salt test would be able to tell you which of your hygrometers is giving the correct reading and would probably be your best bet. no need to guess. just MHO. Good Luck

Jon
DrMaddVibe Offline
#3 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 2:48 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,691
79 degrees is way too high!

Let me ask if you properly "cured" your humi before introducing your hydgrometers? If not I'd recommend putting the cigars in a rubbermaid container with your humidifier and place several glasses of distilled water inside you humidor. I'm not talking about dumping the water in there, just set the glass upright with the water in it and leave it alone for about 2-3 days. This should give the humidor more than enough time and saturation to even out the box.

Once that is done, then introduce the digital readouts(which I've personally never had a problem with)to see where you're at. You could be looking at a potential leak if it doesn't steady out. You should have an almost tight fit lid.

I wouldn't put any cigars in there until you can bring that temp down. You're ruining the "life" of those sticks.

I hope this helps.
wer Offline
#4 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 4:14 AM EST
Joined: 02-13-2003
Posts: 1,633
One way to drop the temp in a localized area without your A/C bill going thru the roof is to place a block of frozen blue ice in/near the cabinet/container you store your gars. Doing this daily (sometimes twice) may seem tedious, but c'mon - we're all checking in on our sleeping babies daily anyway.
ps Welcome aboard.
Slimboli Offline
#5 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 4:27 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Also ... unless your air conditioner is equipped with a humidifier ... running it will remove most of the water that is in the air, and can really dry out your cigars.
ajeroth Offline
#6 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 4:51 AM EST
Joined: 07-17-2003
Posts: 1,000
Thanks for the welcome....
I will try that keep it on the floor thing. My floors are pretty cold at all times. The only problem is the kids and my pride. I like having that big Humi on my desk. Its a good conversation starter and its right in my living room. I did the whole curing thing first. I read up on everthing I could before I set it up. I cured the insides with a damp cloth first. Then I added cigars but kept the shot glass of Distilled water in there. I didin't want the dry cigars to leach all the water out of the Humidor. Then I added some more cigars and kept the water in it. Till eventualy I took the water out and it was stabilized. The humidor came with a little analog hygrometer and I did the salt test with it. There are conflicting websites that state it should read either 70 or 75. I went with 75. And it was right on. So when the new Little Havanna Digital matched up with the analog and the Flat Rectangular Digital didn't I started wondering. I even went so far as to check the specs for both digitals that came in the boxes with them. The Little Havanna has a better/wider range than the Flat Rectangular but other than that there about the same as far as tolerances. I might have to break down and keep it in the basement. I just gave my CI smiley face humidor to a buddy as a going away present with a bundle of Churchills. And I gave him the flat digital with it but warned him it was a little off. I love that little humi so much i'm bidding on another right now.
ajeroth Offline
#7 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 4:54 AM EST
Joined: 07-17-2003
Posts: 1,000
BTW I live in Germany. The land of no Air conditioning. So i'm SOL for an Air conditioner for my house as well. But thanks Slim
puskarich Offline
#8 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 7:08 AM EST
Joined: 01-04-2003
Posts: 2,143
If you have multiple levels in your house/apt, try re-locating the humi to a different area of the house. I live in a 3-floor townhouse and, in the summer, the top level can get pretty warm. I have air conditioning, but the landlord was too damn cheap to outfit the place with an air conditioner what was powerful enough to force a significant amount of air to the 3rd floor. So, in the winter, I keep the humi in the corner of the bedroom (3rd floor). In the summer, I move it down to the living room (2nd floor).

Just a thought.
Robby Offline
#9 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 2:33 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067

79, tisk tisk... Some folks will say keep your dor away from the AC vents because the air is dry. I say, if it's a good box, and it's tight, and you have a humidifier in it. Place it in proximity to an AC vent with the air blowing on the box. Not directly in front, maybe put a foot or so between the box and the vent? and experiment by moving it closer and farther. Then don't run your fan constantly, i.e., the fan only comes on when the AC kicks on. That will do the trick. The only risk is, if you're not properly humidified, you can dry out because air coming out of the vent is pretty dry. But if you keep an eye on your humidity, and have a good box, you should be fine. That technique worked for me before I built a climate controlled box.
Robby Offline
#10 Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2003, 2:34 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
WHAT!? NO AC!!?? Get a friggen window unit!
ajeroth Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, Jul 24 2003, 8:24 AM EST
Joined: 07-17-2003
Posts: 1,000
I'm not buying an AC unit... I'm gettin out of Deutschland in October an going to Colorado. I can't wait.
SteveS Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, Jul 24 2003, 9:31 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
Send us your cigars for safe keeping until you get to Colorado ... we'll be sure they are properly cared for
ajeroth Offline
#13 Posted: Thu, Jul 24 2003, 12:39 PM EST
Joined: 07-17-2003
Posts: 1,000
Thanks Steve but there sleeping peacefully, I wouldn't want to wake them. Even if they are a little hot under the collar. You guys probably wouldn't want them anyway. The Humidor was a deal. 150 churchills and 150 capacity humidor for a not to bad price. But there all Dominicans and some are a little spicy for me. I already gave a bundle of the most potent to my buddy Dale. He likes um. The humidor by the way was sized for Lonsdale (sp?) cigars. So not all the Churchs fit. I was kinda mad at first but its still a nice humi for my first big one.
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