Expert: James Yee - 9/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have recently purchased a Adorini Humidor, i have read all the instructions and followed them to the letter, but the humidity is stuck on 90%, Is this normal for a new humidor with no cigars in? will the humidity drop when i put my cigars in? The hydrometer is a Adorini hair hygrmeter and the humidifier is a Premium deluxe Adorini humidifier(acryl polymer crystal fleece), any insight would be most helpful.

ANSWER: Hi Tony,

Cellulose/acryl polymer-based humidification devices can usually require a few days for the humidity to stabilize so let your humidor sit for a few days and see if the humidity lowers to a more reasonable level.  To avoid putting your cigars at risk, it's best to not put them in your humidor yet and instead, wait for the humidity to lower first.

Also, be sure to check that your hygrometer is properly calibrated and tested for accuracy.  Sometimes brand new hygrometers may be out of sync so if you haven't already, use a salt test to check the hygrometer's accuracy.  (Only use this test if you are using an analog hygrometer.)  If you are using a digital hygrometer, be sure to check that it is also operating properly. (Some digital hygrometers will have a "MIN/MAX" button that displays the humidity level incorrectly if pressed accidentally.)  Digital hygrometers are usually accurate and factory calibrated so it doesn't require a salt test but you should check to make sure that it is operating properly.

If the humidity still remains high after several days, check with the manufacturer's instructions and see if the humidification device requires Propylene Glycol (PG).  PG will automatically balance the humidity at 70% but some humidification devices do not require or are incompatible with it so you will need to double-check with the manufacturer about this.

Hope this answers your question. If you have any question or need instructions on performing a salt test, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: I am having trouble with the huumidity levels in my humidor but now i am not sure if it is that my hygrometer needs calibrating, or if it is that the humidity is actually to high. i am currently doing a salt test to recalibrated my hygrometer but if it still reads that the humidity is still to high, how do i go about reducing the humidity in my humidor. Any information would be most helpfull
Regards Tony

Answer
Hi Tony,

If your hygrometer is fine and your humidity is just too high, you will need to add Propylene Glycol (PG) to the humidification device.  A 50/50 mixture of PG and distilled water will usually balance the humidity out to exactly 70%.  Simply add a 50/50 mixture of PG and distilled water to your humidification device and let the humidor sit for several days.  (Dry your humidification device before adding the mixture.)  After adding the mixture, the humidor's humidity may dip and peak wildly for several days before stabilizing so it's best to not put your cigars in it until the humidity stabilizes.  PG can last a long time inside a humidor (on average 2 years) so you only need to add this mixture just once.  Afterwards, simply add distilled water to the humidification device when needed.

If you are already using Propylene Glycol, you will need to add a bit more and fine-tune the mixture until it balances the humidity out to a reasonable level.  50/50 usually produces 70% humidity but some people have discovered that their humidor requires more or less PG to acheive 70%.  Every humidor is different so you will need to fine tune the mixture until you reach the desired humidity level.  Start with a 50/50 mixture first and see if it will require additional fine-tuning.  If the humidity is still too high, add a few tiny drops of PG to the humidification device.  If the humidity is too low, add a tiny bit more water to dilute the PG and increase humidity.

Propylene Glycol is available for sale at most cigar stores, drug stores and pharmacies.

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