Expert: James Yee - 8/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: hey, i just purchased my first humidor and im kinda confused. with what to
do, every web site makes this seem as hard and building a house.  anyway i
have a humidor that says it can hold 100 cigars. and i bought the 50/50
solution for the humidifier. i do i use that and also i got a digital
hygrometer do i need to calibrate it or will it be fine. and last how do i get
the humidor it self seasoned correctly

ANSWER: Hi Ben,

The 50/50 mixture will balance the humidity in your humidor to exactly 70%.  The safe humidity range for your cigars is 66-74% and 70% is considered ideal.  (If the humidity exceeds 75%, cigar mold can appear.)  When using a 50/50 mixture, it is important to remember that you only need to add this mixture just ONCE. The key ingredient in these mixtures is Propylene Glycol and this substance can last a long time inside your humidor (on average two years).  After adding this mixture, just add distilled water to the device when needed.  (ie: when the humidification device begins to feel dry or the humidity level in your humidor begins to drop.)

Your digital hygrometer shouldn't require any calibration.  Digital hygrometers are usually factory calibrated and highly accurate.  Check the instruction manual that came with it (if one was included) just to be sure.

To season your humidor, here’s what you’ll need:

-   1 clean, sterilized sponge (preferably brand new)
-   1 clean, sterilized spray bottle
-   1 bottle of distilled water or bidest water (double-distilled water)
-   1 sheet of plastic food wrap or a small, clear plastic bag such as a sandwich bag
-   The hygrometer
-   The humidification device

First, use the spray bottle and spray the entire interior of your humidor with distilled water.  Allow the water to set for a minute before wiping up the excess with the clean sponge.  (Don’t worry, this will not warp or damage the wood.)  Make sure you spray every inch of the humidor including the trays, dividers, drawers and/or compartments.  

Next, take the sponge and soak it in distilled water.  Let the sponge sit inside your humidor on top of a sheet of plastic.  Allow the humidor to now sit for 24 hours.  After 24 hours, check your humidor.  If the wet sponge has lost a lot of moisture, add more distilled water to it and let your humidor sit for another 24 hours.  When the sponge is able to sit for 24 hours without losing much moisture, your humidor will be properly seasoned.

Finally, take the humidification device and add the 50/50 mixture to it.  Install it in the humidor and let it sit for several days so that the humidity can stabilize.  50/50 mixtures can take anywhere between a few days to a week to stabilize so be patient.  Once it stabilizes, the humidity should be 70%.

Your humidor is now ready.  Alternatively, many cigar stores will also carry "seasoning bricks" which you can just leave in your humidor for a few days and it will automatically season your humidor.  Some people find these to be accurate and handy while most people find them to be a bit expensive so I'm not sure if you'll consider using them.  If you do use them, read the packaging carefully as some of these seasoning bricks are designed for smaller humidors.

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

Regards,
James


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

QUESTION: i just read that you can actualy season the humidor with the 50/50 solution,
do you recomend seasoing it with thePropylene Glycol  and also using it to
charge the humidification device?

ANSWER: Hi Ben,

No, you shouldn't use Propylene Glycol to season a humidor.  Propylene Glycol is a hygroscopic liquid that will limit the humidity output in a humidification device to exactly 70%.  Like oil, propylene glycol separates itself from water and forms a liquid membrane over the water and this will restrict the amount of humidity that is produced.  Using this substance to season the wood inside the humidor can cause either extremely low humidity and/or erratic humidity performance.  Do not apply propylene glycol to the wood.  Only distilled water or double-distilled water should be used to season the humidor interior.  Propylene glycol should only be used for the humidification device.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: hey, this question has nothing to do with my humidor (which is now
working great thanks to your help)   but  i ve been smoking many cigars and
i tend to wait about one minute between puffs so it doesnt over heat but ive
noticed that some cigars ive had have tasted like ash or sumthing like that.   
i usually end up relighing my cigars 3-4 times do you think this maybe why  
the are taste  bad.

Answer
Hi Ben,

Absolutely. Constant relighting of your cigars can affect the cigar's natural flavours.  When smoking small ring gauge cigars, 1 puff a minute is perfectly fine but larger cigars should be at least 2 puffs per minute.  (Smokers usually practice an average of 2-3 puffs per minute.)  Try 2 puffs a minute and you will find that your cigars will taste much better and won't burn out as much.

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to just ask.  Glad to hear your humidor is running great!

Regards,
James