... ok, simple question here ... instead of going through the old-fasioned method using the sale, DI water and plastic bag method and taking a couple of days for the process ... has anyone ever simply used the Crystal Gel solution inside of a plastic bag? It's supposed to keep a constant 70% humidity (or 65% if you purchased that mix) and if you have done it this way - was it accurate?

... maybe they’re getting rubbed off ...???

... the reason I ask is that I recently took the humidity down to 60-62% in one humi and decided to bring it up now to 68% - and I noticed that a few cigars have that tell-tale 'wrinkle' look on them from too much of an increase in the humidity too fast ... but it only effected a couple of the cigars and only on one brand of cigars to be exact ...

- just seems kind of weird the way it went ...

Re: #2 ...

... I rubbed one off this morning ... but thanks for suggesting that ...

(no clue as to what you mean ...)

That has not been my experience at all, although you are correct, that is how they are advertised. I have found that they will continuously release vapor and increase the rh well above 70, so that they are better suited as a supplement for larger humidors.

Humidity beads, on the other hand, are accurate enough you could probably calibrate off them.

Use the Gurkhas as "canaries in the coal mine".

If you drop it in a glass of water it should read 100%....correct?

cat litter

catheter

^ ... do I have to clean it first?

... I'll send one of the one's that I'm talking about to JHC along with the other smokes and see if he agrees with me ...

... and I'm really irritated with the digital hygrometer ... I paid a lot of $$ for that one considering what it is - I should have just bought a cheap one and would have probably gotten better results ...

- and thanks - I will try the Beads next ... maybe I can put some of them in without any water mixed with them and they'll absorb the excess humidity in the air?

#4

See eyebrow thread.

Er, sorry Jimmy. My urologist distracted me.

Beads should work on an anal retentive like you just start off with the small ones, make sure they are well lubricated, & avoid eating bran.

Throw them out if they look like licorice.

Jimmy, I have given up on hygrometers. I have tested the mover and over again. I put 12 analog together and within a couple days they started going astray. After a month they were all different ranging 10 % each direction. Then I tested 6-8 digits and they did better but after 2 months they were all different. I use mostly gel crystals in my humis and ignore the hygrometers. No problems. I'd be happy to send you some when I get your return addy. I make them by the bucket full so I will give you a variety of sizes.

Dave, I'd be interested in them as well. I gave up on hygrometers long ago & have relied solely on digital.

When you get a moment...

No problem. I'll make up a fresh batch this weekend.

They are good for a year or so. When they start getting all sticky and no longer look like crystals...throw them out and I'll send you some new ones. ( keep the container though )

Re: #14 ...

... you need to read my "marbles" post again ...

I read the "marbles" post......thanks for the reminder.

Dave,

... thank you very much ... I'll put one or two of the cigars in question in the ones I'll send you (aside and in addition to the promised 5'er cigars of course) and let me know if you agree with me on the humidity raising too much too quickly ... there was no temperature shift whatsoever during that timeframe and it happened over a 4-day period....

Bloody - how's about you go and mooch on your own thread ...