Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 3/27/2009

Question
2 questions. Can having a lot of empty space inside the humidor contribute to
lower humidity or humidity issues in general? also, i bought an extra humidifier,
a madelaine 50 crystal cigar humidifier, and it came with no instructions, how
do i set it up for use? Thanks.

Answer
Miles,

Having lots of empty space in the humidor will not allow the hygrometer to get a true reading of the moisture in the cigars. An evaporative type humidifier cannot humidify air space very well, although they do a fine job of supplying enough moisture for the cigar to absorb and stay fresh.

Regarding the Madelaine crystal humidifier, simply fill it with distilled water or Madelaine propylene glycol solution. I believe they have a fill-mark on them, but regardless fill it nearly to the top with fluid. The crystals inside will absorb the fluid and will expand until the humidifier is completely filled with swollen crystals. Make sure there is no excess fluid in the humidifier that will drip in your cigars, and then put it in the humidor. When you see the crystals start to shrink, its time to add more fluid.

Bill