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Last post 23 years ago by mtsheron. 9 replies replies.
Humidor Help!
tin_cup Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 03-26-2000
Posts: 4
I recently purchased a humidor and seasoned it according to the instructions with distilled water. Then I filled it with 50 smokes. The hygrometer was reading between 70-80%, usually closer to 80% RH. Today I noticed mold growing on the humidification units. None of the cigars had any mold on them. What can I do about this? Can I clean the humidifiers? How can I calibrate the hygrometer (analog)? Thanks
hhjr71 Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 02-10-2000
Posts: 134
did you use distilled water , if not thats probably why you have mold,, ive learned that oasis humidifiers work like crap , and get a digital hygrometer , the analogs are crap also
hhjr71 Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 02-10-2000
Posts: 134
forget what i said about the distilled water , i didnt catch that you did use it at first , did you use a clean cloth or sponge to wet down the humidor , maybe there was some bacteria on it. try the oshkosh humidifier it has oasis in in but also has a water resevior , works good , i have one i dont use if your interested, i also have a couple of extra humidors
robnsue Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 02-23-2000
Posts: 269
MIght be interested in your humidor..email @ [email protected].
melski Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 09-22-1999
Posts: 279
i remember reading somewhere on the internet about calibration. take a clean lid from a jar...put @ 1 Tablespoon salt in...add just enough water to dampen...put lid with salt and hygrometer in plastic baggie overnight...should end up at 70%. that's what i did with mine and it's working fine.
Hansen Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 03-11-2000
Posts: 444
Try this site, they've got instructions on how to ajust hygrometers.
http://www.cigarhumidors-online.com/products.html
wanyburger Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 07-21-1999
Posts: 665
#1. Regarless if you filled you humidor with specially formulatd, NASA tested and approved, holy water, if the humidity is too high.....you will have mold. Period. #2. Most "dial" hydrometers are crap...go digital. #3. To fix this problem, simply leave the box open for a few minutes. Shut and recheck in 20 minutes. Still too high? Repeat the procedure. Next time, don't wipe down the box with so much water!!!!!

It takes a little practice to get the feel down. You'll get it. There is no real science to it.
Fallsrider Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 03-14-2000
Posts: 100
When preparing your box only lightly dampen the inside with distilled H2o and an unused sponge.Less is more! Just be certain that you cover everything including the tray(s).Your humidification device will take over from there.You can test the accuracy of your hygrometer using the salt test.Put 1/8 to 1/4 in. salt in a shot glass or the plastic top of a milk container. Add a few drops of distilled water until the salt looks like wet sand (don't dissolve the salt!).Be careful not to put any water on the side of the shot glass. Put the glass or plastic top in an airtight tupperware or similar sealable container along with your hygrometer and leave for a minimum of 6 hrs. I prepare mine just before bed and check first thing in the morning. Be gentle when you open the container so as not to spill the salt. Your hygrometer should read 75RH. If it reads either higher or lower than that simply make a mental adjustment of the difference when reading the gauge in the future. Also, keeping your box at 70RH is a standard to achieve but some afficianados actually prefer 65 and others prefer upwards to 75. Don't obsess, just enjoy your smokes. Digital hygrometers are very nice but the dial type can also serve you well. I hope this helps.The info on the salt test came from a CA forum in reply to garym4u on 1-10-00 Subject: How do I do a salt test?
sellnmony Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 01-24-2000
Posts: 243
Patience.. patience...patience... You should always let your humidifying device cure the humidor... let it sit and stabilze foir a few days and then add you sticks when it stabilizes at 65-70%. You can also add stabilizers such as humiperfect to your distilled water but it is best to just keep an eye on the humidity and enjoy your sticks!!!
mtsheron Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 04-29-2000
Posts: 528
The salt test is coorect way to claibrate. Actually is fairly scientific. Always use a new sponge when dampening the inside of the Dor. As far as which is best between the analog and digital....how much money do you want to spend and how fancy do you want it to look? Just do the salt test and readjust your readings like Fallsrider stated. Just don't be so anal if the reading is + or - 5 % RH either way. I have found how that touch and how it smokes is the real factor. Enjoy your gars and have a ice cold Michelob for me!
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