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Last post 21 years ago by Robby. 17 replies replies.
Question about humidifiers
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kardshark19 Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 4:24 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2003
Posts: 42
Call me stupid, but I don't really get how to prep them for use. When I got my first and only humidor as a birthday gift, I got a cigar oasis with it. So I just plugged it in, set it to the level I like according to the hygrometer, and viola! The humidor came with two humidifiers, and I just got a travel humidor with small humidifiers.

What I am unsure about is how do I know how much 50/50 solution to put into the humidifier, and when to switch to distilled water? Also, can I use purified water, or only distilled, as I do not know where to get distilled water.

Thanks in advance,
Jason
Arrow_34 Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:10 PM EST
Joined: 12-19-2002
Posts: 186
Well as far as where to get distilled water, try walmart if you have them or CVS or drugstores.
kardshark19 Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:19 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2003
Posts: 42
Thanks arrow. There is a CVS right by my house. Anyone with beginners help on how to work them correctly?
Robby Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:19 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
also, you'll get differing opinions on this, but I wiped mine down/"seasoned" them before use. Damp cloth, wipe the inside and the trays well. Then close it and let it sit a day or two. Other's may so "NO!", some will say yes. I've done it, and it worked well for me personally. The Spanish Cedar acts like a sponge, soaking up some moisture and then releasing it.
kardshark19 Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:27 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2003
Posts: 42
Robby, you are talking about the humidors themselves, right? I am talking about the actual sponge humidifiers you put in the humidors. Any guidance there?
Robby Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:29 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Nope, pretty straight forward. Once you've seasoned your door, some 50/50 should do the trick. As Ron Popeal would say, Wet it, and forget it. If you have a good number of gars in there, between them, the wood, and the humidifier, you should be golden.
kardshark19 Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:34 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2003
Posts: 42
So just put the 50/50 solution on the humidifiers till they are pretty damp, and I am good to go? If so, then do I just check every so often and if the humidity begins to drop, just add distilled water?

What if the humidity goes to high? Does this mean I put too much water in? Then add more cedar?

Sorry for all the ?'s. And thanks for all the help.

Jason
Robby Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:41 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
If the humidity goes too high, remove the humidification device, put it in a baggie or something, let it come back down, then put it back in. It will stabilize. If it doesn't, perhaps it's too big (a problem I'm not completely unfamiliar with) (sorry about that, it's my nature). It may take some time to stabilize, but when it does reach equilibrium, it should require very little maintenance. I strive to get close to or equal labium and when I do, I require very little maintenance…
kardshark19 Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:53 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2003
Posts: 42
Thanks a lot Robby. You have been a great help, and I really appreciate it.
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:20 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
ROBBY

you are a great help.

i don't know if the use of the word labium was a freudian slip or a typo.
Fatshotbud Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:27 PM EST
Joined: 03-31-2003
Posts: 782
But aren't they supposed to be equal?
Good answers I give you a standing ovulation.
SteveS Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:28 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I HIGHLY recommend you NOT use 50/50 to season a humidor ... use straight distilled water ... but use the PG mix in the humidification units (which can be recharged with straight distilled water on a regular basis, but re-charged with 50/50 two or three times a year ..

I suggest too, that you read the following for a lot of additional information on "the basics"
http://www.cigarsinterna...com/html/cig101_main.asp
SteveS Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:35 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
sorry to have overlooked one part of the question ... distilled water should be readily available at the supermarket ... check in the aisle where they have bottled water ... a gallon jug is typically 99cts here in Calif and in other parts of the country where I've bought it ... I doubt if it would be more anywhere else and might possibly be less ...
kardshark19 Offline
#14 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:44 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2003
Posts: 42
Steve,

The supermarket near my house doesn't have distilled water, but only purified and spring water. I hope to find some at the local CVS.

Thanks for the CI link!
Fatshotbud Offline
#15 Posted: Tue, May 13 2003, 3:31 AM EST
Joined: 03-31-2003
Posts: 782
Like Robby said: differing opinions - In my wooden humidors I dampen the humidifier(s) with 50/50 and then (depending on it's size) place a small shallow container with one or two oz of 50/50 inside. Then I close them up for about one week. The kiln dried cedar wicks up what it needs. Remove the free standing 50/50 and you are generally ready to go. If you wipe down the inside with a damp cloth you might stain the wood so, be careful if you use this option. I try to keep my humidors 75% full which seems to help them remain stable.
As for the travel humidors, I just dampen the sponge and go since the smokes usually are not in there long.
Same thing with non-wood humidors as the plastic (etc) will not need to season. I love my igloo-dor for bulk storage.
Also for a post script: You can make your own 50/50 by purchasing the Propylene Glycol at a pharmacy/medical supply store. One pint costs about $8.00 and the distilled water $1.00/gallon. That's $9.00 for enough 50/50 to last a long, long time. The ready made is around $7.00 for 4oz.
Later and good smokin' - BUD
SteveS Offline
#16 Posted: Tue, May 13 2003, 4:46 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
(Say again, I HIGHLY recommend that you do NOT wipe the wood in a humidor with PG, by itself or in a 50/50 mix. IF you're going to wipe the inside of the box at all, do so with distilled water alone. Better, however, is the following method, which was copied/pasted from a reputable Website that shall here remain nameless)

HUMIDOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Breaking in your humidor

The wood in your humidor needs time to reabsorb moisture before you use it the first time. To ensure this happens, you should break in your humidor according to these instructions.

1. Place a shot glass filled with distilled water or 50/50 solution in the bottom of the humidor

2. Charge your humidifier and place inside the humidor

3. Place your calibrated hygrometer inside the humidor

4. Close the lid.

5. Check the humidity daily using the hygrometer. When it reaches the 68 – 72% range, the wood has been properly stabilized.

Note: Do not wipe the interior of your humidor with water or other liquid. This will ruin the wood.
SteveS Offline
#17 Posted: Tue, May 13 2003, 4:48 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
Instructions from a humidor distributor:

How To Setup Your Humidor
When most people get their new humidor home, they are anxious to fill it up with their collection of smokes. If you do this without first re-humidifying the wood, you may ruin your cigars. Why? The wood has not had a chance to reach its equilibrium. So when you put your cigars in, the wood will absorb their moisture and you will be left with dry useless cigars. Not exactly the reason you bought a humidor, huh? To solve this problem, all humidors should be re-humidified before their first use.

Re-humidifying your humidor is easy, just follow these simple steps:

Place a shallow container filled with distilled water in the humidor
Place calibrated hygrometer inside humidor
Charge your humidification device
Place humidification device inside humidor
You have to check the relative humidity every day. Depending on a number of factors this can take a few days to a few weeks. When you get in the 70 range it is safe to store you smokes inside. As long as you constantly recharge your humidification device you will never have to wait to store your cigars again.
Robby Offline
#18 Posted: Tue, May 13 2003, 5:23 AM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Steve, thanks, I didn't mean wipe down the door w/50-50, I meant wipe it with distilled water, then 50-50 the humidification device. Thanks for clarifying.
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