Cigars/Humidor humidity
Advertisement
Question
Mr. Yee,
I have a 50ct. humidor with a digital hygrometer and a xikar humidification jar as well as the stock humidification device. I've had it about a year now. I recently (a week or so ago) added a box of cigars to it sans the celo and the RH is having trouble getting back up to 70% or thereabouts. Was the sudden addition of so many cigars too much at once? Being from Wisconsin and with fall/winter starting up, I figured on it drying out a bit but thought it would come back up after a few days.
Thank you,
Mike
Thank you
Hi Mike,
Yes, a humidor's humidity level can indeed drop (temporarily) whenever a surplus of cigars is added. What you should do is let your humidor sit for a few more days and see if the humidity re-stabilizes at a normal level. If the cigars were somewhat dry when you added them, it may take longer for your humidor's humidity to recover.
As you also mentioned, humidors can lose humidity faster than normal during colder months as the dry heat in your home will wick away the humidity in your humidor more quickly. During fall and winter, it's not uncommon to recharge your humidor's humidification devices twice as often. If you already have your home's heating on, check your humidor's humidification devices to see if they've lost a lot of moisture and recharge them as needed.
I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
James
Related Articles
James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.