Expert: James Yee - 5/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,
I live in S.E.Asia (equatorial) which has high humidity year round. My hygrometer indicates the humidor humidity at 80%. (also, I do not have 24 hr air-con running). There is no water or glycol solution in the Credo (not the brand, but I mean the humidifier). How should I get the humidity down to app.70%? Is glycol hygroscopic? I have noticed in my cigar shop, they sell "Humidipak" sachets, but I have no experience with this product.
I'm concerned about this as usually my cigars are smoked rather frequently, however I want to put a couple of boxes down for a year or so to age them some, so a high humidity will definitely have a deleterious effect I would think.
Thanks for your feedback in advance.

Guy

ANSWER: Hi Guy,

The first step you should take is to check your hygrometer and make sure that it is calibrated and accurate.  If you are using an analog hygrometer, make sure it is calibrated.  Most digital hygrometers however, are extremely accurate, factory preset and do not need calibration.

If there is no water in your humidification device at all and the humidity is already at 80%, you will need to find a method to cool your humidor down.  When the air is cold, high humidity will be less effective at damaging your cigars.  Relocate your humidor to the coolest room possible in your home.  If necessary, you will need to use your air conditioner.  When the natural environment is hot and humid, your cigars will be at risk.

As an alternative, you can store your cigars in a climate-controlled and humidity-controlled humidor cabinet.  These types of humidors are more expensive than regular humidors but in parts of the world where natural temperature and humidity can be erratic and extremely high, these humidors can save your cigar collection.

Parts of Asia have tremendous amounts of natural humidity and in some places such as Thailand and Hong Kong, tobacconists can safely store cigars without a humidification device due to the abundance of natural humidity.  However, when the humidity is too high, it will need to be compensated with cooler air.

Propylene Glycol is indeed hygroscopic but if your humidor's humidity is already 80% without any water, it will not help.  PG is effective only when the humidification device is generating too much humidity.

Humidipaks are meant to be used instead of humidification devices.  Many of these small sealed pouches contain a cellulose polymer substance that absorbs moisture and like a sponge, slowly releases humidity.  To use them, simply store one inside your humidor and it will generate the right amount of humidity.  The best part about these humi-paks is that they can completely dry out and then be rehydrated simply by storing them in a container with a humidity source such as a dish of water.  These are great to use for short-term cigar storage, cigar travel, and when you need to fabricate additional, inexpensive cigar store space (such as a travel humidor, tupperdor or coolerdor.)

Another inexpensive alternative is to store cigars in humi-pouches.  These Ziploc-style bags contain a humidified lining and can keep cigars properly maintained for 3 months straight.  After 3 months, you would need to replace the bag.  Again, these are mainly used for short-term cigar storage and cigar travel.

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

Regards,
James


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

QUESTION: Hi James,

Many thanks for your thoughtful reply. I too thought the analogue hygrometer was inaccurate and used the salt test to calibrate. I have tried many times and still the reading is 80%. I have deliberately dialled the hygrometer back to 75% and retested, only to find it reads 80% again. I will buy a digital device and recheck.
A further question, I have not seasoned my humidor as I fear that, with a humidity reading of 80% (even though this may be inaccurate), I may bring the humidity even higher. What would you suggest?
Once again, many thanks for your excellent answers.

Guy

Answer
Hi Guy,

It sounds like your analog hygrometer is defective so definitely double check the humidity with a digital unit.

As for your humidity level, if it is definitely 80%, then seasoning your humidor is not necessary.  Seasoning is only helpful if your humidor is having a hard time maintaining a proper humidity level so if your humidity is already 80%, there is more than enough humidity in the air and seasoning is not necessary.

Regards,
James