E-Chick ... I'm surprised that you need to humidify anything in San Diego.

You don't want to use alcohol ... it dries things out. Why you would want to use vodka, when there are correct things to use, is beyond me.

Polypropolene Glycol and distilled water is the best way to go ...

Slimboli...I guess that I mixed up the Polypropolene Glycol with something about alcohol that I had read awhile back on a thread titled: "Homemade storage?"...here's what I found: "usahog Date: 06/22/2000 08:37 PM Reply
I have found that for my over stock in this Bidding on Cigars that I have had to purchase old 20 MM Ammo cans from army Surplus Store (5 to be exact at last count) and used the Ceder boxes and purchased a few to store my extra Smokes in the Basement where it is cool and the 20 mil cans are air tight So Add Either Vodka, Scotch, or EverClear in a container to the Can also and Seal them away for future Great Smokes!!!!!" Slim...So maybe USAHOG meant to say that alcohol works in metal containers and not humidors??? I realize that alcohol has a drying effect, but thought that maybe it was used to impart an extra level of desired flavor. And yes, San Diego can be humid, but like I said earlier...my hygrometer is at 63% so I obviously need a little more H20. Thanks again for your help and enjoy your weekend. E

When was the last time you calibrated your hygrometer? 10 to 1 it is not accurate. Everyone I have talked to that lives in the San Diego area, humidity is the least of their worries ... most want to know how to control mold in their humidors ...

Never 😞

E: Not sure if you've done this before, but I'll be gentle...other bear with me...Make your own PG solution and humidifier unless you have a nice display humidor with a humidifier and guage (however calibrate that guage as mentioned above because it will be off). If like most of us "broke" cigar smokers, you may even have a 'dor of some kine be it rubbermaid or igloo, or something with a seal to keep your stogies happy. Your local drug store will order the PG for you at about $8-10 quart or you can go to one of the online chemical stores and get a gallon for about $20 (shipping included). Then go to your florist or Walmart and pick up some of that florist foam used to arrange cut flowers; don't get the styrofoam kind, get the other kind. You'll know because there is usually only those two there; they come in singles or 3-pack bricks. Cut your foam to fit in any suitable container with a lid that has holes in it, then soak the foam with 50/50 solution of PG and H2O. Drain off any excess water and let sit out for about 30 minutes. I have a large Rubbermaid tote that will hold about 15 boxes and I only use a tupperware sandwich container-sized humidifier. I don't need to add water but about every 3 weeks here in Arizona (yeah, yeah dry heat hell..hot is hot). There you have it. My system stays between 68% and 72% humidity; the former most of the time and the latter after adding water.

A couple of thoughts to input here ... one, I know SF is not SD, but humidity at my home which is admittedly slightly inland, runs between 55-65, so I always have to watch the humidity in my humidor ... in SD, I'd be sure my hygrometer was right and keep an eye on it throughout each season before I trusted to what Mother Nature sends ... second, the ammo can post was quite interesting inasmuch as one of my sons spent a few years touring the world on one of Uncle Sam's aircraft carriers ... he and his buddies stored their cigars on ammo cans that they lined with cedar and they worked great ... (and I sure envied his collection of ISOMs during those years) ...

jjohnson28, I would love to get my hands on some of your PG solution. I live in a somewhat remote area, where I'll have a bit of a hard time finding it (of course, I could just shop the net, but I'm offering a trade instead so we both win). Look in the pic post under "Fresh Rolled Cubans" and you'll see what I may or may not offer. What would it take to get about a pint or so?

^Bump^

Hog

Okay.........okay..........I have received two Western Digital II hydrometers. Both of them, in the insructions say they are guaranteed to be accurate to within 1 degree, plus or minus. They strongly recommend against using the salt calibration test. In fact the wording is something to the effect........."if anyone suggest the salt test.....immediately run from that person!" I also have two of the indoor/outdoor hydrometers/thermometers that Wal-Mart sells (with the probe) that I HAVE done the salt test on, after clipping the wire probe off. Both of them are within plus or minus 5 degrees of 75 RH. As long as you mark them with the degrees off I have found that they work extremely well. To me, Igloodors are the ideal way to store cigars long-term. Once you establish the RH you want to keep them at, it doesn't vary much except briefly when you check on the cigars (I occasionally have to look at them). The best solution I've used so far is the 50/50, PG/distilled water solution (don't be so damn cheap; you're only talking about a investing a buck for a gallon of distilled water to preserve several hundred dollars worth of cigars). I'm going to give the Climmax beads a try (they're supposed to be much more precise and require less attention, even, than the PG/distilled water) and I'll report back to you how it does. Remember, as a general rule cigars are much more durable than you might think, and will be pretty forgiving of all but the most gross mistakes. Just my thoughts.................