Expert: James Yee - 11/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,
I am having a hrd time keeping a consistent temperature in my humidor this time of year. It varies between 74 and 68. Reasons behind this is that I canot keep a consistent temperature at home (I live in a condo). Once i notice the temp. is high, I will take corrective action (putting it outside until the temp. drops etc...
It has come to the point where the humidor is with me at work today (at least here i can monitor it).
My question is, how bad is it when temperatures fluctuate between 74 down to 66, then back up to 72 then down to 68.
Are the cigars in danger?
I have consistantly kept the temp at around 71 the whole summer but with the strange weather we are getting recently, i cannot keep it consistant.
Thanks James

ANSWER: Hi Thomas,

Even though the temperature in your humidor fluctuates this time of the year, it's still within the safe range for your cigars so your cigars aren't in any danger yet.  The ideal temperature range is between 67-74 degrees Fahrenheit.  Tobacco beetles have been known to incubate and hatch between 75-80 degrees so your humidor is just surviving at the end of the safe range with 74 degrees.  The temperature flucutation also isn't endangering your cigars as it's still shifting within tolerable levels.

Because you live in a condo, it's impossible to keep your humidor in a cooler room such as a basement, cellar or garage but what you can try is to put your humidor in a closet or pantry.  Any room that is slightly cooler than the rest of the house, even by one or two degrees, will help.  Avoid keeping your humidor near major heat sources such as TVs, computers, appliances and even incandescent desklamps and heating vents as the heat they emit can greatly heat up your humidor.  Be sure to also keep your humidor away from any windows or natural sunlight as it can also heat up your humidor.

What you can also do is use a electronically controlled humidification device that will automatically regulate the temperature and humidity levels.  These units are often used in larger, commercial humidor cabinets but can still be purchased for personal use.  They can be fairly expensive but on a positive side, will guarantee more accurate temperature and humidity levels in a humidor.

Hopes this helps.  If you have anymore questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well I just had a look and it was at 76. Should I be concerned? What should I be looking for on my cigars? Do all cigars have beetle eggs?
I think they were probably pushed to their limits. Probably at 76 degrees for over 2 hours. Should I consider freezing the cigars?
Sorry for all the questions but my cigars in this humidor are over $3000 and a pleasure to smoke! I dont want to see them go to waste. What would you do in this situation?
Thanks James!!

Answer
Hi Thomas,

You will definitely need to relocate your humidor now to the coolest room possible in your condo.  If you have to, move your humidor to a room with a fan or air conditioner.  The air conditioner does not need to be on at full setting but you should make sure that it cools your room down by 5 degrees or so.  You can also set your thermostat a few degrees cooler to bring the condo's temperature down and this will lower the temperature in your humidor as well.  You can also leave a window open and let the cool air naturally cool the room (but don't leave the humidor in front of the open window).

Just to be on the safe side, you should also freeze your cigars.  Place them in a sealable, Tupperware container and let them sit in your freezer for 24 hours and this will kill any tobacco beetles or beetle eggs inside your cigars.  You should also inspect your cigars for any irregular bumps or holes in the wrapper.  This is an indication that tobacco beetles are incubating or have hatched.  Tobacco beetles will also leave a fine, brown powder as they chew their way out of the cigar(s).  This is a combination of chewed up tobacco and their waste matter.

Not every cigar will have tobacco beetle eggs.  During tobacco cultivation and production, cigar factories will try to remove as many of these microscopic beetle eggs as possible but sometimes these dormant eggs are left unnoticed and inadvertently rolled into the cigar.  These eggs will then remain dormant until the temperature is high enough to incubate them.

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James