Expert: M J Robbins - 2/12/2009

Question
I have a humidor/humidifier that my dad gave me years ago
that i've just recently started using. Inside it has two
metal things that i remember him soaking in water when i
was younger, i don't know what they are called but i know
that they absorb water and thus begins the humidity.

What i don't know is how long i should soak these, I have
been using filtered water so no chlorine or fluoride gets
into my cohibas, and just doing a mild soak.

Do these stop working ever? Can I purchase more? How long
do they need to soak?

thanks in advance.

Answer
They could be old clay humidification devices.

I would suggest replacing them with hanging humidification devices.
Moisture falls and the best scenarion is to mount up 1 or 2 devices to the top of the box.

How big is the humidor to decide how many devices you need.
Or as in my other posts you could just throw in 2 72% Bovedas right on top of ths cigars.
A typical box rated for 50 cigars measuring interior 9”wide 7.6”deep and 3”height with ½ inch thick wood base uses about 1.1 grams of moisture per day under calm weather conditions. A common round humidification in a medium size that holds 56 grams of water will keep the box stable for 30 or 40 days depending on the weather. If the box is larger then you need 2 round devices.
They typically need Propylene Glycol to keep mold growth out so if the device does not come allready soaked with it you have to buy it also unless you combine with a Boveda packet. You use the glycol sollution every 6 months.

So average size box
Meduim humidity puck cost $12-$15?
Digital Hygrometer $20 - spend less and get one that will not be accurate.
Soak the puck upside down in sollution for 30 seconds, then only distilled water every month for the next 6 months or when humidity drops by 5%.
Now I would combine a Boveda humidity packet with the puck and get more humidity, stable humdity and less maintanance.

More info if you need it
MJR