Expert: James Yee - 3/10/2009

Question
Hi James. I am starting out with cigars and humidors.  I have two hygrometers in my humidor.  The one on the underside of the lid is currently reading about 75.  The other one sitting loose with the cigars is reading about 60. Is this unusual? If so what can I try. I'm currently putting water pillows at the bottom to try to boost humidity.

Answer
Hi David,

The first thing you should do is make sure both your humidifiers are not obstructed by anything inside your humidor.  Cigars or humidor fixtures such as shelves, trays, drawers and/or compartments can actually obstruct humidity flow and localize high humidity in certain areas of your humidor.  Try arranging your cigars so that there is a clear path from the humidifier under your lid to the base of the humidor and vice versa.  Your humidification devices should also be kept in a centered location and not tucked away in a corner or at the side of your humidor.  Centering your humidification devices will create an even, symmetrical flow of humidity throughout your humidor.  75% humidity for your top humidifier is too high so if the high humidity continues, add a 50/50 dosage of Propylene Glycol and distilled water to your humidification device and this will balance the humidity out at 70% (the ideal humidity level for your cigars).  You only need to add Propylene Glycol to your humidor just once and afterwards, just add distilled water whenever needed.  (Propylene Glycol can last a long time inside your humidor; on average 2 years.)

Once you've added PG to the top humidifier, it may take up to two weeks for the humidity to stabilize (on average, 1 week).  During this time, the humidity may dip and peak wildly so just be patient.  If the humidity is still too high (or low) after it stabilizes, fine-tune the mixture.  For example, if the humidity is still too high, add a few more small drops of Propylene Glycol and this will lower the humidity.  If the humidity is too low, add more water to dilute the Propylene Glycol and raise humidity.

Propylene Glycol is available for sale at most tobacconists, cigar stores, large-chain drug stores/pharmacies and through Internet mailorder.

If the lower humidification device continues to produce low humidity, adding an additional humidification source such as water pillows or humidor crystals/beads will easily correct it.  As an alternative, you can also try upgrading to a larger humidification unit for the base humidifier and this will produce more humidity.  Again, if this humidifier produces too much humidity, a 50/50 dosage of Propylene Glycol and distilled water will easily regulate it at 70% so you don't need to worry about a larger humidifier producing too much humidity.

Another option you should consider is to upgrade to an electronic humidification unit such as a Cigar Oasis instead of using your current humidification units.  Most electronic humidifiers will allow you to set your desired humidity level and for larger humidors, will circulate the humidity more properly using a motorized fan.  

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