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Last post 21 years ago by SteveS. 24 replies replies.
New Humidor
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wbslngr Offline
#1 Posted: Sat, Oct 19 2002, 4:58 PM EST
Joined: 08-27-2002
Posts: 748
I have a new humidor and I placed one of thos humi-disks in it for a couple of days, trying to get the humidity right. I have one of those open in there and I just checked and my cigars are starting to harden. Any help on something I might be doing wrong. Should I have broke my humidor in a different way or something?

Thanks
GetYourOwn Offline
#2 Posted: Sat, Oct 19 2002, 5:43 PM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
Those Swisher Sweets are supposed to be hard.

Didn't it come with instructions on breaking it in?

Take the cigars out and dampen the wood and put a damp sponge in it over night. That will seasn it.
xrundog Offline
#3 Posted: Sat, Oct 19 2002, 6:12 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
Do you have a hygrometer? What's the humidity %?
wbslngr Offline
#4 Posted: Sat, Oct 19 2002, 6:30 PM EST
Joined: 08-27-2002
Posts: 748
I keep those sweets in my pocket but the "good stuff" in the humidor. Those are just for show anyway but I don't want them hard. Thanks for looking after my swisher's though. I have to say I am growing up some. I do enjoy the Acid line and have been smoking only them for some time now.
Claytonbahr Offline
#5 Posted: Sun, Oct 20 2002, 7:31 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 28
You can put a cup of steaming hot water in your humidor for a few hours to speed up humidification time. It takes a long time for the wood to soak in enought moisture to keep cigars humid.
Slimboli Offline
#6 Posted: Sun, Oct 20 2002, 9:37 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
wbslngr --- you like those 'urnial puck' cigars? Heck, Mr.Mean will send you some premo's rolled out of his 'Grandma's blue hair' if you ask him nicely ... ;-)

YIKES!!!

I hope you don't get too hooked on them perfumed cigars ... they will ruin your palate forever on the really good ones ... hehehe!

Joking aside, there are a couple that I will smoke once in awhile, but they are the Lars Tetens 'Star of Cuba' and 'Shorty'. Those are about the only ones I can stomach ... and actually, they are damn good cigars!

Although ... I just found out Lars has one out called the 'Body Shop' that contains 100% pre-embargo Cuban tobacco. They claim it is a collectors item, for it was forced out of production on September 18th, 1997, due to a shortage of pre 1962 Cuban Tobacco. They also claim it is one of the rarest cigars ever.

At $100 each (10 for $750) ... it had better be what it is claimed to be!

wbslngr Offline
#7 Posted: Sun, Oct 20 2002, 6:19 PM EST
Joined: 08-27-2002
Posts: 748
I assume the steaming hot water is the distilled water right?

I just can't be a man that fast. I have pretty much left the flavored behind, and have the acids but haven't found any milds yet that really grabbed me.
Slimboli Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 2:39 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
No ... the 'steaming' water does not have to be distilled water. The steam (condensed) is how they make distilled water ... :^)
GetYourOwn Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 5:05 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
Don't tell him all the secrets yet Slim....

Be careful with the high humidity cause that can cause mold. Low humidity just causes cracks and some spit will fix that.
CJBully Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 5:20 AM EST
Joined: 07-31-2002
Posts: 753
How do I properly setup my humidifier?
First, you need to find out if the humidifier you are using has been pre-charged. "Charged" means that your humidifier has been moistened with a 50/50 solution of Propylene Glycol, a liquid chemical that helps to regulate the relative humidity. In order for any humidifer to work it must have an initial charge of Propylene Glycol. If the humidifier came in a sealed bag it has probably been pre-charged, and all you have to do is add a bit of distilled water and put it in your humidor. You should use distilled water because tap water will clog the sponge of the humidifier. Tap water may also contain a certain amount of bacteria which could cause mold. If the humidifier has not been pre-charged you'll need to mix up a 50/50 solution of Propylene Glycol and distilled water. Add the 50/50 solution to well moisten your humidifier. This is called "charging" your humidifier. In either case, check your humidor's hygrometer in a couple of days to make sure it maintains a humidity level of about 68-70%. You may have to add more water at that time, especially if the humidor is new as they tend to absorb a lot of moisture initially. But one you reach the ideal level of humidity, keep checking the humidor occasionally and add water when you notice the level dropping.

Addendum:
You do not need a 50/50 solution of PG and h2o but distilled h2o is a must.
leon123 Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 6:11 AM EST
Joined: 08-24-2002
Posts: 88
Slimboli is the Lord of the Cigar dance around here as many people defer to him on a variety of cigar related topics. I look forward to his insightful and well researched posts. But this time.............

I do have to disagree with him on the Aromatics "ruining your palate" I enjoy a variety of smokes and switch from aromatics to standard gars almost daily. It seems to be the mood I'm in. I also have to disagree on the Lars Tetens. They are overpriced and taste like something other than a ten or fifteen dollar cigar. I have tried about every acid and most Ambrosia's, stick with those for the aromtics.

When it comes to your humidor I would not store aromatics and regulars together. I originally thought this was ok, but have found out recently that it is a no no. Your premiums will be forever changed by long term exposure to aromatics.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.........Leon
GetYourOwn Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 6:44 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
You will be punished for your insulence Leon.


Your time is gonna come.... GYO
SteveS Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 7:04 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I'm not a big fan of either steaming water or wiping water onto the wood ... oh, I know, both methods are used and the proponents of each say they've had no problems doing it that way, but ...

Having worked in a place that built fine wooden furniture, I had it pretty thoroughly drummed into me to NOT get wood wet ... it will tend to raise the grain and can easily cause damage.

I've very successfully followed the method of putting an open container of distilled water into the humidor, closing the lid and waiting about a week .. then, use a calibrated hygrometer to check the box and if it is low, close the lid and let it go a few more days ...

care must be taken to avoid spilling water from the open container and the water should be replenished as (if) necessary during that period.

It takes a little longer, but hey ...
GetYourOwn Offline
#14 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 8:02 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
I want it NOW. Wetting the wood will only warp really thin liners. If they are that thin you didn't want it anyway. I wanted mine fast so I just poured in a cup of distilled water and shook it around, poured out the excess and the inside and dividers and trays were all nice and damp and ready to use the next day.

LOL at Steve: I better cover up my trees. It's raining outside and I don't want them to warp!
E-Chick Offline
#15 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 12:31 PM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
One word...


KY...

Standard issue, I had to say it.
Charlie Offline
#16 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 12:41 PM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
KY as in Kentucky or Jelly? Poor guy asks for advice and gets all kinds of bull sent his way!

I do not (will not) smoke "flavored" cigars after the unfortunate trial of a vanilla flavored dog rocket many years ago! So, I do not worry about storing them! One thing, being a maduro smoker, you need to have the humidity lower at about 66 to 68 percent!

Charlie
E-Chick Offline
#17 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 12:44 PM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
Charlie, it's a running joke...as in liquid...and I'll say it the next time someone asks about humidity, LOL!
GetYourOwn Offline
#18 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 12:56 PM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
Charlie his question was answered in the first response.

Get over it. Slim jr.
leon123 Offline
#19 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 1:33 PM EST
Joined: 08-24-2002
Posts: 88
Charlie,

Aromatics are not flavored. I would never recommend that cherry or vanilla flavored crap to you, but try an Acid Def Sea or Acid Atom Maduro and you'll see what I mean.

Ambrosia's are pretty close to being flavored, but they still have a real cigar taste to them. Some aromatics are a little perfumy, but I don't categorize them with that vanilla cognac cherry flavored stuff.

Of course they don't compare to Ashton VSG's, but thats apples to oranges now isn't it.

And Slimboli, please don't hunt me down and put a but out on my forehead.

I still love and respect you.....Leon

Wow my posts are getting longer than Slimboli's, now thats progress.
SteveS Offline
#20 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 2:08 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
GYO ... The trees in your yard have sap inside them and bark covering them ... highly unlikely to be the case with your humidor, but do as you will ...

Tell me the truth now ... you didn't REALLY pour water right in and shake it up, did you ... lol ... you're just tryin' to make our eyes pop open a little bit ... it IS a funny image, though ...
wbslngr Offline
#21 Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2002, 5:24 PM EST
Joined: 08-27-2002
Posts: 748
I was going to ask the same thing. I need something to keep my cigars now, but you aren't serious about just pouring water in are you?
rayder1 Offline
#22 Posted: Wed, Oct 23 2002, 7:37 AM EST
Joined: 06-02-2002
Posts: 2,226
Plastic tupperware + Humidifier + hydgrometer + cigars.
Open top once a week or so. Tada! No need to season wood!

Actually I finally overflowed my humidor and had to make one of these to store my extras.

NO! I am not going to send them out for safe keeping!
SteveS Offline
#23 Posted: Wed, Oct 23 2002, 7:51 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
Hey, Rayder ... yours sounds exactly like mine !!!

I took a tupperware container that looks a lot like a "picnic basket" ... it's maybe 16 wide x 10 deep and 8 high, it's got a lid that sorta 'clamp's on' either side and has a little handle in the lid, sorta like a kids lunch box ...

I went to the trouble of taking some cigar boxes apart and using the cedar to partially "line" the bottom and the sides ... I "seasoned" the cedar with a little distilled water (I couldn't have hurt it even if I HAD poured a cup of water in and shaken it), added a humidifier and a hygrometer and VOILA !!! Instant travelador ... I packed 5 dozen cigars and took it on vacation with me ... it worked great, too ...
GetYourOwn Offline
#24 Posted: Wed, Oct 23 2002, 7:57 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
AHA you've been converted Steve. Just pour a cup a water in and shake it up. Pour out the excess. Quicker than dabbing it with that sissy sponge.

Was that your boat I saw on TV Steve? No homers last night.
SteveS Offline
#25 Posted: Wed, Oct 23 2002, 8:17 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I wish ...

actually, I gotta tell you, it was colder in SF than it looked on TV ... damn fog was so close, it was almost like raindrops ... if it WERE my boat, I'd have not been all shinnied up on the mast like that guy was ... I'd have been inside the cabin with a scotch/rocks and a cigar ...
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