i've been reading the newbie info pieces extensively (thanks, slim, for posting those and others for topping them up!), but i still have some questions:

okay -- i moved my sticks into old but good cigar boxes and then put them in a plastic storage unit (a plastic "filing case" -- filedor?). humidity was perfect before then. now it's stuck at 55. 😛

should i "season" each cigar box with distilled water?

also, should i store these with the boxes open or closed?

any ideas on the best set-up for an oasis home-made humidifier? i've got two:

1. wet foam in a plastic soap dish, lid open fully (holes weren't doing it)

2. empty camel cigarette tin (no odor), lid open fully

just don't want to get some cigars too moist and others with not enough, and i also don't want to rest it in a place where it would endanger any cigars.

thanks in advance!

P'haps I should defer to others such as Slim with established expertise. It sounds as if you used spanish cedar boxes [very absorbent] which wicked some of the humidity [hence, the usual advice to season]. It probably wouldn't hurt not to start over, but it will take some time for the boxes/cigars to stabilize at proper RH. Again, as far as the humidification devices, I hope you're using the 50/50 mix. The mix protects from excess moisture -- but in this instance, you'll be needing to add distilled water when the boxes/cigars absorb moisture to corrected RH. Patience, patience

Addendum: Definitely leave the box lids cracked at least until you've corrected RH. Moisture may migrate as easily into closed spaces, but I doubt it. In fact, some folk use storage [inserts/racks]which permits air flow around the cigars/boxes rather than pack them tight. However, as cabinet boxes are produced by manufacturers for products which might be held to age them, I suspect in the long haul, it's a matter of preference.

Cav: Your fileador may not seal well. Check the RH in your outside space and see if it's equal to the inside of your fileador. I used $10 Walmart special coolers and they work fine. RH stays where I decide I want it.

Having said all that, calibrate your humidity gauge to be sure it's right (there's plenty of info here on that in old threads). Once it's between 65% and 75%, don't obsess about it. 65's good for smoking; 72 to 75 is good for long-term storage.

Open the lid once a week or so to let out the gases that come with aging, and fuggedaboutit. It's not something to sweat, once you're within the range.

Tony,
In the PG package I am sending you, I will include a new chunk of Oasis "wet" foam, and a few of the containers I hold the foam in.
I heard the idea about small asian restaurant sauce containers, and bombarded my local teriyaki store. Will send a few of those as well.

Dave

thanks for the tips and advice, guys. really appreciate it.

okay -- so it's been around 65% today (hadn't checked it since last night), so looks like it's finally evening out with the boxes in. without the boxes, it was up to about 75%, at which point i added some scrap cedar and got it to hover around 70-72%. adding the boxes caused the serious dip.

the boxes are both good quality and made of cedar. i didn't even think to season them as i did my wooden desktop humi. doh! anyway, i've got the lids propped open a generous crack now.

the hygro is calibrated okay, but hey... it's analog. i'm hoping to get a digital sometime, but this will do until then. i guess i'm also being a bit anal about the rh% and all, but in my short time smoking cigars, i HAVE noticed burn problems resulting from the cigars being even a little too moist (at 70%). dropping it to 65% in my dtop humi really made a difference.

even so. i'll try to chill. 🙂

smelly, you're da bomb, man. again, thank you so much!

antonio

oops! sorry for the double...

the filedor has actually been very good until i hinked it up by adding the cedar boxes. the rh stayed very very stable, and that was just using distilled water ONLY on the oasis. it's not 100% airtight like a coolador, but it's not loose and doesn't have much of an escape route at all (no holes of any kind) -- just as long as i securely snap it closed.

as for the PG, i'll have some soon, with much thanks to BOTL extraordinare, smelly4tay here. 🙂

thanks again, guys!

antonio