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Cigars/Humidity

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Expert: - 8/16/2008


Question
Hi James,
My humidor which holds approx. 150 cigars (now has about 75 inside), the humidity levels keep rising to about 75%. This started happening ever since I filled it with new cigars and removed the others that were in there for over 6months. (I currently have 3 humidors and I was trying to seprate by region. The humidor in question has only non cuban)
I will open the door and the level will drop to 71% then gradually make its way back up to 74 75. I have removed the humidifier in attempts to stabalize it and its been stable at 73 but im sure it will get back up there. Will removing the humidifier have any negative effects? I only use prop. gly in the humidifier. Should i refill it?
I belive 75% is a little too high and would like to try to stablize it at 70-72.
Very grateful for your expertize!!

Answer
Hi Tommy,

If you remove the humidification device, it won't affect the cigars at first but eventually the humidity will drop and your humidor will become dry.  

If you're using Propylene Glycol and your humidor's humidity is still too high, you'll need to fine-tune the PG/distilled water mixture by adding a tiny bit more PG.  A 50/50 mixture of PG and distilled water should normally create 70% humidity but if your humidity is at 74-75%, add two or three small drops of propylene glycol to your humidification device and this will lower the humidity to a more reasonable level.  If the propylene glycol lowers the humidity too much, you can easily counter-balance it by adding a tiny bit more distilled water to dilute the PG.  

Hopes this answers your question.  As always, 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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