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

Last post 21 years ago by tailgater. 7 replies replies.
Can't get my humidor RH above 62%
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
ky70 Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 9:15 AM EST
Joined: 04-10-2002
Posts: 86
Hello all. I tried to search older threads for a solution, but I was unable to find a definitive answer. I received my humidor from CB over 3 weeks ago. It was seasoned (following general instructions) when I first received it. I have a 50 capacity humidor with approximatley 45 sticks inside and I used distilled water on the humidification device. I finally got a digital hygrometer on this past Friday and my RH never goes over 62% (temp is fine between 70% - 72%). What can I do to raise my RH level? Thanks, Ken
xrundog Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 9:35 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
First:Is there a calibration procedure for your hygrometer and did you do it? Do your smokes seem dry?Second: Maybe the humidor requires a bit more seasoning and given some more time, humidity will increase. If RH goes lower than the steady 62 top your humidifier. I built my humidor and seasoning took a while. Didn't hurt the cigars.

Tim
JonR Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 10:39 AM EST
Joined: 02-19-2002
Posts: 9,740
ky70 The way I charged my humiderfier was to lay it face down in distilled water halfway up it's sides for 3 minutes, lift drain pat dry and install. Also to increase humidity fill a shot glass 1/2 to 2/3 with distilled water and place in humidor. Another thing you might want to check the humidor for leaks around the lid ( or glass if any ). Hope this helps. JonR
mhollowa Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 10:41 AM EST
Joined: 10-03-2001
Posts: 517
Best to go by how your cigars feel...and smoke. Or you can use the "salt" calibration method to test and reset your hydrometer. You can get those instructions by searching the forum for "salt".
SteveS Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 10:43 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I had the same problem with a new humidor ... it turned out that (a) the hygrometer was not properly calibrated, despite my following the so-called damp towel ajustment process and (b) it required a longer period of seasoning than anticipated.
To calibrate your hygrometer, do not follow the damp-towel method, but instead, use the damp-salt in a bottle cap method ... you'll find that method to be far superior and much more accurate. One more thing you'll learn along the way, is that the analog hygrometers are not all that accurate or reliable. you might consider skipping the whole process and instead, investing in a digital unit ... that might seem a bit pricey, but it's actually quite cheap when one considers the perils of damaging or worse, perhaps ruining 40 or 50 cigars of even a very modest cost.
mhollowa Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 10:45 AM EST
Joined: 10-03-2001
Posts: 517
Give Slimboli credit for this post from April 2001 -- How To Calibrate a Hygrometer To calibrate your hygrometer you will need table salt, a see through container such as a Ziplock baggie, and a small shallow open container, like a bottle cap. Place a teaspoon or so of salt in the shallow container and add a few drops of water to get it wet. You don't want to dissolve it, just get a good damp pile of salt in your container. Remember, you don't want a salt water solution, just damp salt. Place the shallow container in the baggie along with the hygrometer. Seal the baggie with some air trapped inside (so it is not tight against the hygrometer) and let it sit. Allow this to stabilize for at least 6 hours (don't rush it). After it has stabilized, check the hygrometer reading without opening up the baggie. It should be exactly 75%. If not, you can simply adjust the reading by turning the dial on the back of the hygrometer with a small screwdriver.
Slimboli Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 2:27 PM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Thanks! Glad to se my reputation as 'Mr. Cut-n-Paste' aka 'Mr. Search Engine' finally got the recognition it deserves ... LOL!
tailgater Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, May 13 2002, 6:27 PM EST
Joined: 06-01-2000
Posts: 26,185
Use the Tailgater Salt method: get a shot glass and some salt. dampen rim of glass and invert into pile of salt. Fill shot glass with tequila. Drink in one steady motion. Repeat until you can't spell humidity.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top