America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 20 years ago by Fatshotbud. 12 replies replies.
seasoning a humi
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
originalgoat Offline
#1 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 11:43 AM EST
Joined: 01-16-2002
Posts: 74
First of all, I don't want to start a wipe vs. don't wipe debate here. (the HUMI folks, get your minds out of the gutter ;) )

I realize some warn of damaging the wood by wiping with a damp sponge, and I don't want to do that. I am going with the NO WIPE, so I am not seeking opinions on whether or not to wipe. heh. I giggle every time I type that.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any experience/opinions on whether it might speed up the process to use a steaming hot mug of distilled water (or at least warm) instead room temperature. Certainly it seems that steam or quicker-evaporating warm water would get the air humid quicker, but I wonder if the steam and heat could be just as damaging to the wood as wiping...

hmmmm...
Slimboli Offline
#2 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 11:57 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
originalgoat --- steaming hot water is a bad idea ... and could cause the cedar to warp.

It doesn't matter what type of water you use ... evaporatiing water cannot carry any chemicals or impurities.

Just set a containter of regular tap water in there, close the lid ... and let the forces work.

JonR Offline
#3 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 12:12 PM EST
Joined: 02-19-2002
Posts: 9,740
Yo og: Repeat after me hot water BAAAAD, room temp water GOOOOD. I would also go with distilled water. JonR
Robby Offline
#4 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 12:16 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
I've always "lightly" dampend some paper towels and wiped away... Works for me.
sketcha Offline
#5 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 1:09 PM EST
Joined: 03-26-2003
Posts: 3,238
I've used new, odor free sponges and distilled water with no problems . If you go Slim's route, you CAN use tap. I don't think water evaporates any faster out of a cup than a credo. I could be wrong though.
Fatshotbud Offline
#6 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 1:19 PM EST
Joined: 03-31-2003
Posts: 782
Let the forces work, I like that. Take the time to do it naturally. Depending on how thirsty the wood is and how large the humi, you are typically only looking at a week or two max.
I know some folks do not agree but, I mix in 25% or so propylene glycol. I find my humis low maintenance only having to add distilled water maybe monthly at most.
BUD
mrblah Offline
#7 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 5:34 PM EST
Joined: 01-02-2003
Posts: 16
I just use a big bowl of water and place in the middle of my empty humi. Wait till the humi reaches 73% humidity (about 2 to 3 days), then I take out the bowl of water, and put in my humidifier and cigars. It will stabilize to 70% resonably quickly.
mrblah Offline
#8 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 5:35 PM EST
Joined: 01-02-2003
Posts: 16
oops, forgot to add, use only distilled water
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 9:36 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
mrblah

you have absolutely the best solution to the breaking in of the humidor. parts of the wood that is dryer will have time to absorb more moisture.
Fatshotbud Offline
#10 Posted: Fri, Jun 6 2003, 4:10 AM EST
Joined: 03-31-2003
Posts: 782
Mrblah

"Wait till the humi reaches 73% humidity (about 2 to 3 days)"

What size humidor are we talking about?
SteveS Offline
#11 Posted: Fri, Jun 6 2003, 5:06 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
Steam, as noted above, is a BAD idea ... it will condense on the wood ... you may as well open the humidor and pour a cup of water in, shake well and pour out the excess as put in a steaming container ...

Oh, and btw ... Slim is correct in saying it isn't even necessary to take the trouble to make it distilled water in the container ... as he acurately points out, the solids will not be evaporating from regular water ... distilled water, as a point of clear fact, IS nothing more than condensed steam, however fancy the process was that generated it ...
mrblah Offline
#12 Posted: Fri, Jun 6 2003, 6:13 AM EST
Joined: 01-02-2003
Posts: 16
sorry for being so ambiguous.

I have cabinet size humi and a few desk tops. The cabinet took a few days to season.
Whereas, with the desktops (25ct and 75ct), I never bothered to season them (i was a noob), and literally, the wood from the humi sucked all the moisture out of the cigars (dry and brittle). Eventually, the cigars regained their moisture, after a long time...lol
Fatshotbud Offline
#13 Posted: Fri, Jun 6 2003, 6:29 AM EST
Joined: 03-31-2003
Posts: 782
Call me "anal" but I do not use a new humi until it can hold it's own. Maybe I season mine for an excessive amount of time, but in the end I feel I am better off. The exception for me on this is igloodors and such (non-wood). Those can be rockin' yesterday.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top