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About M J Robbins
Expertise
Retailer of cigars and acc. since 1979. Cigars - I've smoked most including Cubans. Humidors- Testing humidors all the time. Selling humidors for 30 years. Pipes - I imported Briar and Meerschaum also repaired them in the 1980's. Lighters- Zippo distributor 30 years, expert in repair of old and new lighters although I haven't repaired an antique lighter in 15 years. Repaired thousands of butane lighters.

Experience
30 years importing and selling retail and wholesale Pipes lighters,cigars and humidors. Designed and developed the only state of the art refirgerated mobile cigar humidor and the largest mobile cigar store in the USA. Repaired 50,000 pipes and lighters in the last 30 years. BR>
Organizations
RTDA IPCPR

Education/Credentials
2 years Fullerton jr college

You are here: Experts > Hobbies > Cigars > Cigars > Humidipacks?

Cigars - Humidipacks?

Expert: M J Robbins - 10/26/2009

Question
I have a travel humidor that encases about 9-10 cigars (depending on size) that is much like the medium sized Cigar Caddy. I have recently (three days ago) switched from using a humidification system (black tube that holds what looks like a green sponge) to a Boveda humidipack (two way humidification..etc) after speaking with James Yee. [He suggested this because of the encasement of these cigars could possibly cause too much humidity in a sealed contraption]. I went to my local cigar shop, asked about a Boveda 69% pack and they said they didn't carry this (and I don't feel like buying from online). The owner, a good friend of mine gave me a Humidipack that comes with Fuente cigars (it's about 4 or 5 inches long and a cm. thick with a jell feel to it). He said "just toss this in, it's about a week or two old and should be good for at least another month"... so I did and it's worked out fine for a week. I went in yesterday to grab a quick cigar for a nice round of golf and the owner tossed me a brand new, never been used, still in the "Fuente" envelop humidipack. It's rock hard because it's never been put into a humidor or anything of that sort. I know when these packs are done, they turn to rock and are disposable, but what about when they're brand new? Do they come naturally rock hard or did someone leave it out to dry? I'm guessing if it comes hard, then I should throw it in my humidor and let it absorb the moisture within the humidor and eventually, it too will become jelly(?)... Lastly, the current humidipack I am using is just fine and probably does have a month's time left, so can I let my "new" humidipack sit in my drawer (not inside a case,humidor, baggy or any other object) for a month and when the time comes, just put the unused (rock hard) humidipack inside my humidor and blindly hope everything works out? Thanks in advance!

Answer
The Fuente pak should last a few weeks and if your buddy will give you a humidipak every time you go in to his store just live on those. The Fuente paks are made by Boveda.

The new Boveda comes full and should feel like a little pillow stuffed with water - 56 grams to be exact. If it is dry it is hard - throw it out. If you got one that is hard it is old or was left out so get rid of it. Buy a full Boveda and you will not need a new one for 6 months, easy, clean and perfect. Ask your store to buy them if you do not want to buy them online. Have him call - Tim at Boveda 877-892-1720 ext 12. They aren't a big investment and I sell around 20 a day.
Tell your buddy to keep the Boveda's in his humidor to make sure they lose no moisture over time even though they say they are good for a year in their sealed package.

If you do not want to buy a Boveda do not use water.
Most sealed travel boxes like the Cigar Caddy will keep cigars pretty fresh for 2 weeks with no moisture in it. Smoke the cigars in 2 weeks and you are fine -
I did this test 10 years ago and after 3 weeks the cigars started to get crunchy.

DO not keep the unused rock hard humidipak in your drawer or put it in your humidor throw it out.

Enjoy
Mike

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