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Last post 21 years ago by jd1. 16 replies replies.
Temperature changes
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mrkmitch Offline
#1 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 9:27 AM EST
Joined: 11-18-2002
Posts: 990
How will changes in temperature affect my humidor stored smokes. I live in the midwest, where we're haveing some mighty cold weather right now. I have a set-back thermostat that allows me to keep my house cooler when I'm not here (energy saving feature). I keep it at 70 when I'm here, but let it fall to 62 when I'm not. I understand the physics of humidity and temperature, my question is am I doing any harm to my smokes by allowing temperature swings, and therefore humidity swings. The highest humidity reading has been 75% @ 62 degrees (usually 72-74%), but it holds level and steady at 70% when the heat is up.
xrundog Offline
#2 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 9:56 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
I too have noticed that same correlation between temp and humidity. I am seeing as much as a 10% swing from day to night. The smokes seem fine though. Maybe because the change is fairly gradual.
Santyth Offline
#3 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 9:59 AM EST
Joined: 11-17-2002
Posts: 107
This is one of the many reasons I went with an active humidifier.

My overflow tupperdor has a regular humidifier in it, and it's a big pain in the butt.
bildo Offline
#4 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 12:05 PM EST
Joined: 09-24-2002
Posts: 104
As far as I know slight swings in teperature and humidity are pretty much unavoidable and not really a big deal. A range of 65 - 75% humidity is fine. However, if the humidity ever exceeds 80% or so you are putting your cigars at a greater risk for mold growth, not to mention that in extreme cases the filler can actually swell, due to the excess moisture, to greater size than the wrapper/binder can contain and the cigar will literally burst apart. As far as temperature is concerned, the only drawback to having your cigars at a temp. less than 70 is that it is going to be much more difficult to keep the humidity up. Cold will not harm your cigars. However, if you let them get warm enough there is a good chance that you will have a humidor infested with tabacco beetles. From what I've read most sources say that hatching is usually stimulated by temperatures in excess of 85 degrees. So, temperature swings are not really an issue unless you allow your cigars to get really warm.
-Bill
bildo Offline
#5 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 12:09 PM EST
Joined: 09-24-2002
Posts: 104
oh, as far as the humidity increasing when the temp drops does not nessicarily mean that there is any more moisture in the air than before, because humiditly is measured relative to the air being completely saturated with moisture at 100% rel. hum. and cold air hold less water than warm air.
wouldestous Offline
#6 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 12:40 PM EST
Joined: 02-07-2002
Posts: 412
mrkmch- yer probably all right with a temp range of 8 degrees. especially if it is fairly gradual.
jd1 Offline
#7 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 1:16 PM EST
Joined: 02-14-2001
Posts: 3,118
I've also noticed drastic temperature changes when camping last Summer in the mountains of Idaho. Below 40 at night to above 75 degrees in the tent during the "hot" part of the day. Humidity ranged from below 60 to above 75%. I've since used the two-way humidity bags and it really brings that range in to within several points either way. Humidity bags are the cheapest insurance you can have for your smokes with traveling. Bags that hold 10 cigars run about $3 at my local tobacconist. Three fit in my Otterbox and I'm all set wherever I go. No more PG solution to carry along.
snowwolf777 Offline
#8 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 2:35 PM EST
Joined: 06-03-2000
Posts: 4,082
I have cigars in a large aging Coolerdor, and my regular rotation of smokers (about 75) in my tabletop unit. My heat is set for 68 daytime, 60 at night. Been doing it for several years that way and have seen no ill effects on my cigars. Having them dry out in the winter or letting them get too warm (winter or summer) is your biggest concern if they're otherwise properly stored.
Smoker06 Offline
#9 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 5:27 PM EST
Joined: 01-12-2003
Posts: 81
Guys.... that's what the PG is supposed to do. At 50/50, it's supposed to keep the humidity at roughly 70 pecent over a fairly wide temperature range. The humidor itself is supposed to allow temperature changes to occur gradually. Wood is a great insulator.
xrundog Offline
#10 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 6:41 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
So then it's unanimous! A gradual temperature variation may affect humidity. But, providing it is not extreme, is not likely to cause damage to cigars. Makes sense. After all, guys were herfin' before central heating and air. I guess they just didn't enjoy it the way we do!
jd1 Offline
#11 Posted: Fri, Jan 17 2003, 9:36 PM EST
Joined: 02-14-2001
Posts: 3,118
xrundog,
Then that would explain why my Otterbox had such a wide range. I still swear by the humibags; wood humidors aren't practical for travel and can't take the abuse. I do keep Spanish cedar strips in my Otterbox, but that wasn't enough to absorb that much humidity within the span of 8 hours despite my 50/50 PG mix. The humibas kept it within 4pts. Just my 4 cents.

What have some of you done when camping/traveling? What do you use for a humidor?
mrkmitch Offline
#12 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 4:40 AM EST
Joined: 11-18-2002
Posts: 990
I do use a PG solution in my humidifer, and attribute the smaller humidity swings to it, just distilled water seemed to vanish in my 'dor last winter. I appreciate all the pearls of wisdom offered. My old 'dor (now the other 'dor) was smaller too, this new one seems to hold humidity better, more volume, better air saturation.
xrundog Offline
#13 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 5:19 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
jd1, when I went deer hunting, I put some smokes in a large ziploc. I kept them inside and they were okay for the week I was gone. It was mostly too cold to enjoy a cigar. It's hard to taste it and I dance around in a hurry to go back inside. Sometimes when it's very cold, touching a flame to a cold cigar causes it to unwravel or explode. I like your humibag solution. I did not know about them and will look for some before I travel again.
BMW Offline
#14 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 6:34 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 3,010
jd1
I make use of 2 cigar caddies, much like the otter box, when I go fishing etc. Just remember that they are airtight and water proof. It takes very little 50/50 solution to hold the humidity levels. When I first used them the cigar directly under the humidification pad got a "wet" spot in it. Sometimes I use them as somewhat of a dry box to store cigars that I plan on smoking in the next couple of days.

Barry
jd1 Offline
#15 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 5:07 PM EST
Joined: 02-14-2001
Posts: 3,118
Good tips guys thanks. It may also depend on what part of the country you are in too. I was in dry arid mountains; Barry, I take it you were in Houston area? or maybe another area with higher humidity than I was in. All in all, find what works for you and definitely, keep the lit end out!
mrkmitch Offline
#16 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 6:06 PM EST
Joined: 11-18-2002
Posts: 990
You say you can find the humibags in most smoke shops? Is there a brand name, or just ask for humibag? Sounds like a good solution for those overnights +, when you just dont want to charge the travel 'dor, use these inside the 'dor.
jd1 Offline
#17 Posted: Sat, Jan 18 2003, 6:54 PM EST
Joined: 02-14-2001
Posts: 3,118
I hope I'm not out of line by mentioning the product, but Humidi-Pak holds the patent; they came out with them and sell in bulk quantities to retailers of all sorts (not just cigar companies and tobacconists) for any product that needs persistent humidity. The ones I buy are called Humi Pouch.
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