I need some more help. I've had this humidor for 4 months. I seasoned it, calibrated the hygrometer ( salt test). But some of my gars have swollen feet, and are tender. I know that a cigar is supposed to be firm to the touch. The humidity is steady 60-70. I noticed this last week, so i left the lid open for a few hours to hopefully dry them out. No luck. Any suggestions?

Wood, it's relative humidity that's important. As temperature increases, humidity should decrease, and vice versa. A humidor at 65 degrees would be considered a dry box at 65% humidity. People talk about 70/70, others talk about 65% but don't discuss temperature. If you're in a warm house, 70% may be overly humidified. Cigars should never be stored long term over 75 degrees.

our house is usually around 70-72. i live in NC so we haven't had any days over 80. So i need to make sure the house doesn't get 75 or over. Right. But will my swollen feet go back to normal?

Hummm, do you do as Rick tells me to do? Do you rotate? Do all of your gars exhibit this symptom? or is it only some?

yes I do rotate them often. And it,s only a few but they are Fuente and I don't want to lose them. they are begining to look like a torpedo

How close is your humidification device to your cigars? Perhaps their is a problem with proximity?

Robby is on his game with this one! I am attending to you closely. I like the proximity point. I was using an Oshkosh. Humidity close to it was about 6% higher than at the furthest point away. Wrong application for it.

Wood-man,
Where abouts in NC do ya live?

rck- just north of Charlotte. X- My humidifier is mounted on top lid, maybe 1-1/2 inch from gars. There are others right beside these that are swollen that are fine. My conclusion is they are to moist. I should keep the lid up again for a few hours. What do you guys think. rck are you in NC?

Robby sorry for the disrespect. This question is for you as well


WM

Try putting some thin cedar dividers over the cigars directly under the humidifier. If it is a proximity problem, that should help it.

Indeed, also, you mentioned that you calibrated your hygrometer, is it positioned close to the humidification device? I would move the affected cigars away from the device. Downstairs? if your humi has two compartments.

Try soaking them in some epson salts. You should also alternate between hot and cold compresses in the first 48 hours of swelling. Just a few tips on how I deal with my swollen feet.


Sorry, couldn't resist the set up.

In all seriousness, I'm personally not a big fan of leaving the lip open on my humidor. I take out my humidifier and put it in a dry box, then replace it back in the humidor. I find this helps to ease the humidity down slowly. Its especially critical if the humidity outside the 'dor is much lower than inside. You don't want to shock the cigars on the top lair by exposing them to low humidity.

Good luck with the swollen feet. Robby has been a goldmine of info!

Thanks for all the help. I will try all these steps in hopes of correcting the problem. Kudos to Robby for all the tips.

I live close to Charlotte Nc and can relate to the problem . If the humi is new and the device is mouted on tyhe lid. Do you think some of the water dripped on the feet of the cigars causing them to swell. One thing is certain the shape will not return but you may prevent further damage by keeping a good environment. Also, if the smokes were dry in an old poorly functioning humi and now are in a good environment, move them as far away from the humi device and wait a few weeks. I'm sure they will improve after the shock

I think 'swollen foot' is the literal translation of the Greek name 'Oedipus.' If my memory serves correctly, then you may have bigger issues than some wounded cigars. Check your wife's birth certificate, then yours. Just to be safe.

John