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Last post 7 years ago by Weapon X. 25 replies replies.
Humidor Restoration (3,000 count)
wallyguitar Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
It's been a while since I've been active. Last time I roamed the forums was about 2 years ago while I was stationed in the Sandbox. I returned to the States, and my abundant collection of cigars moved from several coolidors into a 3,000 count humidor... A few months later, I deployed once again (6 months) and this time, my roommate ignored my instructions on how to maintain my hunidor.

So, now I'm looking at close to 2,000 cigars, that have been sitting at about 30-50% humidity for at least 6 months. My question for ya'll is, what's the best method for getting my stash back up to a proper humidity?

I know not to over-humidify, as it'll cause cracking/mold. I'm thinking the best method is to remove all the cigars, relocate them into the old coolidors, and slowly introduce humidity until close to 65-70%, then reintroduce them into my 3,000 count.

Any advice?
danmdevries Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Go slow and hope for the best.

I've bought a handful of estate sale neglected collections, and rarely have had a cigar from them that was worth the time.

6 months deployed, probably half of that was dry time, you might be ok.

But I'd say start slow, hold around 55-60 for a month or two before bringing it up to 65.
Whistlebritches Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
I'm sure there is some method out there recommended by the cigar wizard........That being said I would just get my humidor back up in the low 60's and give it time.I run mine year round between 58 and 63.I had a desktop get ignored for an extended period........threw them in my main setup,2-3 months later all was fine.
dharbolt Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
Wally!


And oh ****. Go slow
dharbolt Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
Active humidification? Like Dan said get it to 60%and wait a couple months then step up to 65 or your preference
rfenst Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,112
I stor my cigars at about 55%RH and about 74F.
jjanecka Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
I wouldn't worry too much man. If you stored them at 70% and your buddy didn't just leave the humi wide open it should take at least three months or two to dip down in the 50's which is still a solid number for cigars. Just gradually step it up over the next 2 months. If was reading 50% or better you're in awesome shape so long as the temperature was kept in the 70's or colder. The cooler it is, the less humidity your cigars need to keep their oils. Even if it did dip down, don't worry, especially if your smokes were stored in their factory boxes.
DrafterX Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,508
just throw some lettuce in there... Herfing
dharbolt Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
So I'm guessing your low. Since all your cigars are dried out huh?
tamapatom Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
At least you didn't let your buddy take care of your dog?
wallyguitar Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
jjanecka wrote:
I wouldn't worry too much man. If you stored them at 70% and your buddy didn't just leave the humi wide open it should take at least three months or two to dip down in the 50's which is still a solid number for cigars. Just gradually step it up over the next 2 months. If was reading 50% or better you're in awesome shape so long as the temperature was kept in the 70's or colder. The cooler it is, the less humidity your cigars need to keep their oils. Even if it did dip down, don't worry, especially if your smokes were stored in their factory boxes.


90% of my sticks are not in factory sealed boxes, all loose loaded into trays. I live in Las Vegas, so the time they were left alone, they got extremely dried out. So dry, that the bands slip right off just by holding the cigars vertically.
wallyguitar Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
dharbolt wrote:
So I'm guessing your low. Since all your cigars are dried out huh?



^^^ this guy... I've missed you too dharbolt. I've got a couple 15 count herfadors filled to keep me occupied.
wallyguitar Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
DrafterX wrote:
just throw some lettuce in there... Herfing


Romaine or Iceberg? Would kale or cabbage work as a substitute?
wallyguitar Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
danmdevries wrote:
Go slow and hope for the best.

I've bought a handful of estate sale neglected collections, and rarely have had a cigar from them that was worth the time.

6 months deployed, probably half of that was dry time, you might be ok.

But I'd say start slow, hold around 55-60 for a month or two before bringing it up to 65.



My hygrometers were showing low 30's the day I got home.
tamapatom Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
wallyguitar wrote:
My hygrometers were showing low 30's the day I got home.

Low 30's.....you must live in a desert. Get any lower and they may spontaneously combust! If i leave mine out of humidor in A/C, i can go as low as 50. If i leave in garage, moss will grow on them.
wallyguitar Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
tamapatom wrote:
Low 30's.....you must live in a desert. Get any lower and they may spontaneously combust! If i leave mine out of humidor in A/C, i can go as low as 50. If i leave in garage, moss will grow on them.


Yep! Las Vegas.
gae9jang2j Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 12-13-2012
Posts: 5,612
Did you try smoking any? you may be pleasantly surprised.
wallyguitar Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
gae9jang2j wrote:
Did you try smoking any? you may be pleasantly surprised.


Sure have, it was horrible. They're super dried out.
dharbolt Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
tamapatom wrote:
Low 30's.....you must live in a desert. Get any lower and they may spontaneously combust! If i leave mine out of humidor in A/C, i can go as low as 50. If i leave in garage, moss will grow on them.



Tell me about it. Just got home from south Carolina. Put the cigars left in my Traveldoor back in the humi and the rh went up 3 points in the wineador :)
dharbolt Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
wallyguitar wrote:
^^^ this guy... I've missed you too dharbolt. I've got a couple 15 count herfadors filled to keep me occupied.



LOL good to hear your home. Hope all is well with you aside from the humi.
wallyguitar Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 11-17-2013
Posts: 185
dharbolt wrote:
LOL good to hear your home. Hope all is well with you aside from the humi.


Thanks brother. Looking forward to my retirement. More more deployments for this guy. September 1st can't get here soon enough!
MACS Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,599
Whistlebritches wrote:
I'm sure there is some method out there recommended by the cigar wizard........That being said I would just get my humidor back up in the low 60's and give it time.I run mine year round between 58 and 63.I had a desktop get ignored for an extended period........threw them in my main setup,2-3 months later all was fine.


That. My humi sits around 60-63% year round. Get your humidor up to 60-63% and let nature take its course over the next few months.
rrumba Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 12-28-2013
Posts: 1,093
I found one of mine humis that were the same way, through the great wizard of Google the process is slow and long but doable. Will take about 8 months roughly. Slowly over months time increase your humidity a few notches and let stay that way until stabilized, then up a lil more, etc. Once you finally get up to proper humidity then you will need to let set even longer probably another 8 months to a year. Thankfully I didn't have that much and just pitched em, you on the other hand it is worth the effort to me.

Besides who doesn't love a good challenge.
Palama Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,463
Good to see you back Wally. Bummers about your humidor. In the meantime, your presence is requested here:

http://www.cigarbid.com/...und-2-FIGHT#post4135024

Herfing
Weapon X Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 12-10-2013
Posts: 754
Welcome home Wally !!!
I rehydrated about 200 for my ex Brother in law a year or so ago, I found putting them in smaller Tupperware, started out with a damp sponge and got them to 50, then threw in Boveda and they worked out pretty good, some were cracked and beyond help, but about 75% of them turned out smokeable.

Take it easy, good to see you again !
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