Expert: James Yee - 5/31/2008

Question
For some reason my cigars are dry and brittle...the humidor is at ~60-62% humidity with a temp of about 75 but my cigars feel brittle and dry when I try to smoke them.  So I tried to increase the humidity but I can't seem to get my humidor to to stabilize at anything about 65...any ideas on what am doing wrong?

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,

Has your humidor been seasoned yet?  If yes, you may need to re-season it again in order for the humidity to rise to a more reasonable level.  Seasoning will prep the humidor's interior cedar so that it can absorb and regulate humidity more effectively.  If your humidor has been seasoned recently, then what you can also do is add a second humidification device to your humidor.  Cigars become dry and brittle when the humidity is below 67% so you will need to increase it above that mark but not exceed 73%.  (67%-73% is the "safe range" and 70% is considered ideal.)  

If after adding a second humidification unit the humidity has become too high (greater than 73%), add a 50/50 distilled water/Propylene Glycol solution to each humidification unit and this will balance the humidity out at 70%.  (You only need to add this mixture just once since it lasts a long time inside your humidifier(s); on average 2 years.)

Propylene Glycol can be purchased at most cigar shops, tobacconists and pharmacies.  If you need step-by-step seasoning instructions, just let me know.  Also, be sure that your humidification device is not obstructed by any shelves, trays, dividers, compartments and/or cigars inside your humidor.  Obstructing the humidifier can cause improper humidity aeration which can cause certain areas inside your humidor to be extremely dry.

Hopes 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