Expert: James Yee - 1/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi James, I have a humidor that it about 14"X20"X12" high. I have had it farly full of cigars for 18 months or so, I use a cigar oasis to humidify it (set at 71%).It has two trays and then the bottom (three levels all in the same area, with slits in the two trays). On the very bottom I have 4 boxes of cigars then in the two trays are loose cigars , my oasis is sitting on the middle tray in the centre of the tray. I have noticed that the humidity on the bottom where my boxes are is 2-3% lower humidity than up above. Iam wondering if this can be corrected by adding a rectangular humidificatiom device on the bottom to help keep the humidity up. Or would it work better if the oasis was on the the bottom? Thanks for your time James.

ANSWER: Hi Grant,

A Cigar Oasis is more than capable of humidifying your entire humidor so it's not necessary to add a secondary humidification device in the bottom area of your humidor.  Adding a second humidification device in the bottom area could raise the humidity to dangerous levels so it's best to just let your Cigar Oasis do the work.

Just move your Cigar Oasis to the bottom of the humidor and make sure there are visible slats on the upper trays so the humidity can properly circulate through each level.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: So does that mean that the humidity will go upward better than downward? and do you think that it (the oasis) should be set at one end and blow across the humidor , rather than sit in the middle and just blow to one side from the middle, if you know what I mean. Thanks again for your quick respnce James.

Answer
Hi Grant,

Yes, humidors do function better if the humidification device is placed at the bottom of the humidor.  For larger humidors, the humidity can have a problem thoroughly circulating to lower levels if the humidifier is not placed at the bottom.  Humidity will still reach the lower levels if unobstructed but as you noticed with your humidor, there may be a slight difference in humidity between the bottom and upper levels.

As for humidifier placement, I usually recommend placing the unit at the bottom of the humidor in a centered location.  With an electronic unit, this isn't necessary because it has a circulation fan but it's still ideal to keep the humidifier in the center bottom because it provides an even flow of humidity throughout the base of the humidor.

I personally recommend keeping the humidifier in the center but with an electronic unit such as a Cigar Oasis, it's perfectly fine to keep the humidifier at the side or corner of your humidor.

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