Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 2/20/2008

Question
QUESTION: I've had my humidor for a week now. It will hold 375 cigars, but I only have 20 in there at the moment. After seasoning, the humidity was holding steady at 70% with two absorbing crystal humidifier jars. I added the 20 cigars two days ago and the humidity level dropped to 66% and has stayed there. Should the humidity eventually correct itself? Do you recommend I add another humidifier jar of crystals? Or, do you have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

ANSWER: Steven,
When you seasoned the humidor you added quite a bit of humidity by wiping down the wood. It is natural for the humidity level to go down a bit after this water dissipates. Adding cigars shouldn't make the humidity go down unless the cigars were dry when you put them in. I'd say you are probably fine. Just keep an eye on the cigars and if after a couple of weeks you notice them starting to dry out a bit you may need to take another look at your humidification system. My only question is what size humidifiers do you have? If they are the small Madeline or Xikar jar type, those are not nearly big enough for a 375 cigar humidor.
Bill


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

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I am using the small jar type humidifiers which are for up to 150 cigars each. Does it help that I am using 2 of them? Is it the size of the humidor that matters or how many cigars are kept in it? Would adding a third jar help, or should I just change the system? What do you recommend and what are your thoughts on an electric humidifier? Thanks again.

Answer
Steven,
The only jar type humidifiers I am familiar with are the Madelaine and Xikar brands, and those are really only big enough for about a 25 cigar humidor. By using two you have enough humidification for about a 50 cigar humidor. The humidifiers should be chosen according to the size of the humidor, not how many cigars you have in it. With a box as big as yours, I would use 2 Madelaine crystal 250 humidifiers. We have them available at www.finckcigarcompany.com in case you can't find them locally. Just search our site for Madelaine and you'll see all of the options. The 250 size sells for $22.95 each. We also sell the Cigar Oasis XL electronic systems. They work very well but are a little more pricey. The advantage of them is that you don't have to remember to add water to them for months, but they don't humidify any better than the Madelaine systems.
Bill