Cigars/External (imbedded) analog hygrometers
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Question
I saw an answer you gave about a hygrometer mounted on the front of a humidor and it peaked my curiosity. Are the hygrometers that are placed on the front capable of being accurate? With just the rear face of the hygrometer in the humidified, but the sides against wood and the front facing the ambient environment, even if the device is accurate, is it measuring the interior humidity?
Hi Charles,
Yes, humidors with front-mounted hygrometers can also be accurate. Normally analog hygrometers will have slats around the sides of the unit to allow humidity intake but for high end, front-mounted units, these slats are located at the back of the unit so it can still measure humidity accurately. For humidors that still use hygrometers with side slats, the edge of the hygrometer hole is usually chamfer-cut on the interior with a wood router to allow humidity to reach the hyrometer more easily.
While these types of front-mount hygrometer humidors are accurate, cheaper, mass-produced units may be poorly designed and have problems accurately reading humidity due to the poor seal around the hygrometer. Cheaper humidors also may not be angle-cut at the hygrometer hole and this can cause an aeration problem.
When shopping for a humidor with a front-mounted hygrometer, be sure to thoroughly inspect the hygrometer for any gaps or poor construction that may cause a humidity problem.
Hopes this answers your question. As always, 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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