I am new to cigar smoking and just bought an Otterbox on CBID. There were no instructions in the box, so I charged the humidifier the same way as in my desktop humidor. After a couple days, I put a digital hygrometer in the box and left it overnight. The readings were 78 degrees and 88% humidity. I went to the otterbox website where it says that because the otterbox is air tight, the box works even if one does not use the humidifier. My question is, do these things really work? What is the purge valve suppose to do (other than allow me to open the otterbox after taking it out the package)? I guess I can use it for other things, but was hoping to take several smokes with me on a trip to Lake Tahoe over the Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks for your help.

LJCHAD

You should be able to keep cigars in it without adding water to it. unless you are using it for long term storage. I have the 5 and 15 count sizes. I fill the 15 count and take it when I travel for work. It keeps them fine for 5 or 6 days. I don't have the purge valve but I believe it is used to relieve presure when flying.

I've got a fiver, that I have not charged. I use it for short trips. I've not had any problems with it.

myash

I haven't filled mine, but regarding the purge valve, I've read 2 posts that said w/o using the purge valve the owners could not get them open. Once was after a flight, the other was a trip into/outta mountains (or vice versa).

I have a five and a fifteen count otterbox.

I have never bothered "charging them" since I only use them for short term storage, and they are quite airtight, so your smokes will stay very well.

The purge valve, IMHO, should be standard on all of the sizes. IF you take it on a flight, you'll have a hell of a time opening it when you land unless you can relieve the vacuum that will be created inside. I opened my 15ct several times (was a carryon) during a flight and each time was pretty tough.

I tried to fill my humidifier with water, only to find that it is too tiny to hold much, and it dripped water on a cigar. Luckily it was a El Rey De Telemundo that was tissue wrapped. The Tissue absorbed most of the dripage.

That was the last time I tried that, as I use it for short term storage for travel and being as air tight as it is, your cigars will be fine . . .

There is no need to "charge" the otterbox. I have had the thirty-whatever unit full of cigars for over a week at a time on trips with no problem. If you do "charge it, what you end up with is a cigar sauna.

Everyone,

Thanks for all the information. Since I have already charged it, I think I will take the humidifier out before going to Tahoe this weekend. Sounds like it's not necessary for a three day trip.

LJCHAD

PS. Any lucky numbers for the Keno runner 🙂

You can call Cigar Caddy at Phone: 1-888-695-8820 and they will email or send you instructions.

I put two or three drops of distilled water from a syringe in before I go away. They say that will last a week or two depending on the humidity levels where you live.

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