Expert: James Yee - 3/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: My cigars swelled.  I couldn't figure out why my boxed shaped cigars were rounding out.  Then someone told me because of too much humidity.  I was ave. 65% to 68% humidity.  I made mention off this to my local cigar shop and he recommended that I place a shot glass of distilled water in my humi because it is new (I upgraded to a bigger humi since I last wrote you) and need to raise the humidity.  I did it.  Next thing I know I ave. between 73% to 74% and I noticed that my cigars are losing its shape.  Then I was told that it was because of too much humidity or raised it to fast.  Then I was told to isolate the cigars in the humi but I don't have room to do so.  Next, I was told to put them in a zip-lock bag to revive them.  How can I save my cigars and will I lose taste and quality of the cigars?  Help me please!!!

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

No, you will not lose any flavour or quality in your cigars but if your cigars continue to swell, they may eventually split.  The perfect level of humidity for a humidor is 70% and it sounds like you have high humidity.  First, relieve some of the humidity build up by leaving the humidor lid slightly open so that some of the excess humidity can escape.  You don't need to leave the lid wide open.  Instead, just leave the lid resting "loose" and not shut tight.  Next, if you haven't already, add a 50/50 Propylene Glycol/distilled water mixture to your humidification device.  This will automatically balance the humidity at 70%.  Box-pressed cigars can not be reshaped back to the original box-pressed form after they've "rounded out" but reducing the humidity to 70% will prevent further damage to your cigars.

It sounds like you have a full humidor so make sure your cigars are not too close to the humidification device.  If your cigars are packed too closely to the humidifier, they can cause a build up of humidity in a specific area inside your humidor which can cause your cigars to grow mold or swell up.  Make sure the humidification device is not closely obstructed by cigars or any humidor components such as trays or drawers.

Also, adding a dish of distilled water to a humidor in most cases, will cause cigars to eventually swell, crack and split wrappers because of the sudden, uncontrollable increase of humidity from the dish of water.  (It can also cause tobacco mites to feed and thrive on the water.)  If your humidor maintains low humidity, consider seasoning your humidor (if you haven't already) and that should allow your humidor to absorb and regulate humidity more effectively.  If you've already seasoned your humidor and the humidity is still low, add a small, secondary humidification device (also charged with 50/50 Propylene Glycol mixture) and it will boost the humidity to a more reasonable level.

Hopes this answers your question.  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Should I take my cigars out of the zip-lock bags?  Thank you very much!!!

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

Yes, remove your cigars from the Ziploc bags.  Keeping your cigars in the bags will prevent your cigars from aerating properly and any humidity/moisture trapped inside the bags can cause your cigars to swell even more.  To prevent further damage to your cigars, first vent the humidor (as mentioned in the last email), remove your cigars from any Ziploc bags and then apply Propylene Glycol to your humidification devices.  After you've added the PG, your humidor may need a few days to stabilize but it will definitely lower and maintain your humidity at a more reasonable level. (70%)

Regards,
James

P.S. - Cigars in cellophane wrappers can be left alone for now as the cellophane is retaining the cigars' shape and removing the wrappers now could cause the possibly-swollen cigars to split.  For cigars in cigar tubes, simply loosen the cap so that air and humidity can escape more easily.


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

QUESTION: Is 80/20 solution okay?

Answer
Hi Michael,

No, it's best to start with 50/50.  After you've added the 50/50 mixture, allow your humidor to sit for a few days so the humidity can settle.  Check the humidity after it has settled.  Normally the humidity will be at exactly 70% but there have been times when the humidity can still be either too high or too low.  If the humidity is still high, fine tune the mixture by adding a tiny bit more Propylene Glycol to your humidification device.  If the humidity is too low, add a tiny bit more distilled water.  Once your humidity holds at 70%, everything is perfect.

Regards,
James