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Cigars/Humidor temp.

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Expert: - 6/7/2008


Question
Hi James, hope all is well,

Quick one.
My humidor (desktop model - has approx. 130 cigars right now), is reading humidity levels of 72% and temperature at 23 degrees. Should I be concerned? Is the temp to high? If it is, how should I attempt to reduce it?
Thanks and all the best!

Answer
Hi Tommy,

Good news: your humidity and temperature levels are fine.  For temperature, 23 degrees Celcius (73.4 degrees Fahrenheit) isn't a threat to your cigars and tobacco beetles do not hatch until the temperature reaches 26 degrees Celcius (or 79-80 degrees Fahrenheit).  For humidity, the safe humidity range is 67%-73% humidity and mold doesn't begin to form until it reaches 75%.  The ideal conditions for your humidor should be "70/70" but because your humidor's temperature and humidity levels hasn't exceeded the safe range, they're still fine.  

If you prefer to lower the temperature, try keeping your humidor in the coolest room possible in your home and keep the humidor away from windows and major sources of natural and artificial lighting.  If you must keep your humidor near a lamp, make sure the lamp uses a compact fluorescent lightbulb instead of incandescent or halogen lightbulb which burns much hotter and can increase the temperature of your humidor.

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

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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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