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Expert: - 9/29/2008


Question
Hi Mr. Yee,
My humidor is brand new.  It is a constant 76% humidity.  Can't seem to get it at a constant 70%.  Picked up a new digital meter, reading 76% and 76 degrees.  What am I doing wrong? Thanks Tony

Answer
Hi Tony,

Check your digital hygrometer to make sure that it is working properly.  Some digital hygrometers have a MIN/MAX button that if you accidentally press, it will display incorrect readings.

If your hygrometer is fine, you will need to relocate your humidor to a cool room and add a 50/50 mixture of Propylene Glycol (PG) and distilled water to the humidification device.  PG should be able to balance your humidity out at exactly 70%.  It may take up to two weeks for the humidity to stabilize after adding the 50/50 mixture and during this time, the humidity may dip and peak wildly so just be patient.  If after the humidity stabilizes and the humidity is still too high, fine-tune the mixture by adding a tiny bit more (two or three drops should be enough) of Propylene Glycol to lower the humidity.  If the humidity is too low, add more water to dilute the PG.  

You can find Propylene Glycol at most cigar stores, drug stores and pharmacies.

Moving your humidor to a cooler room will also lower the humidor temperature.  Avoid keeping your humidor near heat sources such desklamps or electronic devices and keep it away from the window and natural sunlight as that will heat up the humidor.

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

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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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