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Cigars/Too many humidification devices?

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Expert: - 3/15/2008


Question
Hello James. I recently purchased a 50 count humidor for the cubans I purchased. I purchased the Madelaine crystal unit and 50/50 solution. I found that my hygrometer never went above 62, so I put in the black humidifier that came with the humidor that only takes mineral water in as well. (Madelains on bottom, stock humidifier on top) It still doesn't go past 62% so I know it's just not calibrated. My question is is putting the extra stock humidifier actually working or pointless? It seems it is sucking up the premix quite a bit.

Answer
Hi Aaron,

Adding a secondary humidification device can indeed boost the humidor's humidity to a more proper level.  (For some humidors, it's not uncommon to have two or more humidification devices to create the necessary humidity that the cigars need.)  If the stock humidification unit is fully charged, it won't drain your Madelaine crystal unit or the pre-mixed solution.  However, adding an additional humidification unit can create more humidity than needed so to prevent your stock humidifier from creating too much humidity, be sure to also add a 50/50 Propylene Glycol solution to it and this will stabilize its humidity.

It also sounds like your hygrometer isn't functioning properly so conduct a salt test on it and then calibrate it.

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

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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