Expert: James Yee - 1/11/2008

Question
I hope this finds you well.  A couple quick questions if you please...

First, how do you feel about using the pre-mixed solutions to humidify a humidor vs. just distilled water?  I've had some say using the mixes leaves plastic-like taste in their cigars.

Second, I received a new humidor for Christmas and the instructions provided calibration techniques for an analog hygrometer and said a digital hygrometer does not need to be calibrated.   How does a digital hygrometer work vs. the tension spring of an analog that allows it to not be calibrated?

Thanks for your time.

Respectfully;

Sean C.  

Answer
Hi Sean,

To answer your question, pre-mixed humidifier solutions are very effective and useful; especially if you have a humidor with an erratic humidity problem.  Also, extremely cheap, low-end humidor mixtures have been known to smell or cause cigars to taste weird so if you want to use this pre-mixed solutions in your humidor, it’s best to use a reputable brand.  (I personally never had any problems with these humidor mixtures in terms of flavours or smell being affected.)  If however, your humidor’s humidity level is just fine with distilled water only, then there’s really no need to use these mixtures.  These mixtures are meant to stabilize humidity at an ideal level if your humidor’s humidity is too high.

Although it’s best to use mixed solutions in their humidor(s) when correcting humidity, I usually recommend that people avoid buying pre-mixed solutions and instead, mix the solution themselves with distilled water and propylene glycol.  Some people prefer their humidity a few degrees more or less than 70% so by mixing your own solution, you can customize the formula to your liking.  When creating your own mixture, the initial dosage is 50% distilled water and 50% propylene glycol (PG).  This 50/50 mixture will create 70% humidity but if you prefer more humidity, simply fine-tune the mixture by adding either a tiny bit more water or a tiny bit more PG.  Because PG can last a long time in your humidifier (on average 2 years), it’s best to fine-tune your mixtures in very small increments so that you do not make any mistakes.

In regards to digital versus analog hygrometers, digital hygrometers do not require calibration because they use electronic components and sensors that measure humidity (and temperature) more accurately.  Digital hygrometers are actually calibrated and preset at the factory but because they use more precise components, they never need to be recalibrated.  Analog hygrometers on the other hand, are extremely delicate/sensitive and over time, may lose its precision from prolonged use, which is why they require a tune-up every so often.

Hopes this answers your questions. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I’ll be happy to help.

Regards,
James