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Cigars/Salt test for hygrometer

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Expert: - 6/18/2008


Question
I recently bought a humidor and I've run the salt test twice to test the hygrometer and both times it reads at 0.  I've only added a few drops and it still doesn't read any kind of humidity at all.  I'm putting one teaspoon of salt and I've tried one drop and 2-3 drops, with no luck.  Am I missing something?  Just not sure what I am doing wrong.

Answer
Hi Bo,

Try adding a bit more distilled water.  When blended, the salt mixture should be moist and "crumbly" in texture but not a wet paste.  You should also let the salt and hygrometer sit in a container/ziploc bag for at least 6 hours.  Also, be sure that the salt mixture does not touch the hygrometer at all.  If the hygrometer still doesn't register a reading after several hours, the hygrometer may be defective or damaged so you will need to replace it.

As an alternative, you should consider upgrading to a digital hygrometer as they are usually factory preset, extremely accurate and requires little or no calibration at all.

Hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

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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