Expert: James Yee - 9/10/2009

Question
dear James,

i live in India where the average humidity around the year is 90 plus rh. i recently was gifted a humidor as a birthday gift. i love a good stogey in the morning or with friends over some malt and considering the humidity in india i was eagerly anticipating a humidor.

well the problem is that the humidor( i have a sneaking suspicion that its a cheap one as it didnt come with a hygrometer) doesnt maintain a humidity of 70 rh or anything close to that. in fact it maintains a humidity of around 85 rh as per my digital hygrometer which i keep stored in it.( havent yet kept any cigars in )i believe the humidifying device is a sponge based one, its green and is besy described as a hard sponge. i initially seasoned the humidor with distilled water for 36 hours( wiping the lining and keeping a wet tissue overnight) and then from your  wonderful website, learnt that i have to use propylene glycol. so to the store and a good dose of PG later the humidor still maintains, after 4 days, a rh of 85%. note- temp is a steady 30 degrees celcius/ 85 f.

is it because of the high humidity in the air. i also did the crisp currency note test by keeping a crisp 100 rupees note while closing the lid of the humi and it could be pulled out with ease so im concerned that the humi isnt airtight.

could you advise me please? should i be heavy with the PG?"

thanks in advance.

Rahul

Answer
Hi Rahul,

In countries where the humidity is extremely high and consistent throughout the year, a humidification device for your humidor may not be necessary.  Try removing your humidification device (the sponge based humidifier) and let your humidor sit closed for several days.  If the humidor's humidity drops and holds around 70% (67-74% is acceptable), it's safe to use your humidor without using the humidification device.

If the humidity is too low without a humidification device (less than 67%), re-install the humidification device in your humidor and increase the PG dosage.  Usually, a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and Propylene Glycol is enough to create 70% humidity but if your humidor continues to show 85% humidity, you need to increase the PG.  Add a few drops of PG to your humidification device and allow the humidifier to sit for 1 week so that the PG can stabilize.  If the humidity is still too high (more than 74%), add a tiny bit more PG.  If the humidity is now too low (less than 67%), add more water to dilute the PG.  Once you have added the right amount of PG to your humidifier, you do not need to add anymore for a long time.  PG can last a long time inside your humidor so simply add distilled water to your humidification device whenever needed.

In regards to temperature, you must also lower your humidor's temperature.  85 degrees Fahrenheit is too high and can cause tobacco beetle eggs to hatch in your cigars (if they are present).  Try to keep your humidor in the coolest room possible in your home.  Your humidor's temperature should be 67-74 degrees Fahrenheit.  High humidity could be the result of your humidor having a poor seal/weak lid (high humidity can also be caused by a poor quality humidor) so you may want to upgrade to a better humidor.  If you are having trouble finding a cool place to store your humidor, you may want to consider upgrading to a thermo-electric humidor or keeping your humidor in an air-conditioned room.

Hopes this answers your questions.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James