Expert: James Yee - 12/11/2008

Question
James,

I'm sure by now you are fed up of the humidor questions!!! but that wont stop me from asking haha

1)I have added a second humidification device to my humidor and still cannot get the humidity over 63-65%. Now let me backtrack.
Recently, I rotated the cigars (brought the ones from the bottom to the top and vice versa). Could "dryer" cigars that were in the bottom of the humidor be sucking up all the humidity and hence causing the low Rh that will eventually stabilize once these cigars are re-humidified?
I have followed all of your recommendations. I refilled the humidifiers with madelaine's and still, low Rh. I have 5 water pillows in there as well.
Could the humidifier not be working properly?
I even reseasoned the humidor last week.

2)When I reseasoned the humidor, i wet it down with distilled water, then I wiped the excess water out. Let the humidor sit for about 8 hours, then put my cigars back. Was this done properly?

This is frustrating. The holidays are coming and that means I cannot smoke my cigars (and let me tell you, there are only quality, hand rolled Cubans in there so you can see my dilemma!!)

James, as always, thanking you for your response in advance!!

Answer
Hi Thomas,

If two humidification devices, 5 humi-pillows and a recent re-seasoning still can't boost your humidor's humidity, your humidor is most likely defective or damaged and is somehow losing humidity.  It's also possible that your hygrometer is not working properly and giving you a false reading.

It is possible that your drier cigars are absorbing all the humidity but this only happens for a short time before the humidity restabilizes again.  If after rotating your cigars, the humidity continues to be low for more than a day, something is defective but it's most likely not the cigars' fault.

Check the humidor for any gaps or cracks in the construction that would cause humidity to seep out.  You will also need to test your hygrometer again to make sure it's working properly.  If the hygrometer is analog, conduct a salt test on it.  If it is digital, install a fresh battery and make sure that it is configured properly.

When seasoning a humidor, you should spray the interior with distilled water and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping up any excess water.  Next, let the humidor sit (closed) for 24 hours with a fully charged humidification device inside.  (To speed up the process, you can also place a clean sponge (soaked with distilled water) inside the humidor in a dish or on a sheet of plastic.  Check on the humidor after 24 hours and if the humidification device (or sponge) has lost a lot of moisture, repeat the seasoning process.  Your humidor is properly seasoned when the humidor is able to sit overnight without losing much moisture in the humidification device/sponge.  It usually takes anywhere between 24 to 72 hours to season a humidor.  

If your humidification device is able to hold moisture now, then the hygrometer is most likely defective instead of the humidor.  In either case, it's best to thoroughly examine and test both your humidor and hygrometer.

With the holidays approaching, you may want to temporarily move your cigars to another humidor or a humi-pouch to keep them humidified until you sort out this humidor problem.

Hopes this helps.

Regards,
James