Expert: M J Robbins - 2/18/2010

Question
iam having a hard  time   keeping  my  humidity  level at 70 percent, ive tried  the  glycerol gel and  the distilled water  and still my cigars  are  very  dry  and have tendency  to split
 ive recentley  purchased the  gel crystals     is there anything  in can do   to prevent   my cigars  from drying out

Answer
Many humidors come under-humidified.
Crystals or sponges they are all the same they impart moisture to the cigars.
First they are best on the top lid for consistent humidity throughout. Moisture falls due to gravity so a jar with crystals does little good as the cigars closest will be too moist and the cigars 5 inches a way will be too dry.
First get a good hygrometer $20 minimum
Fill the Humidity device with Distilled water as Solutions bring down humidity - soak the device upside down in a bowl of water 1/2 way up the side of the device. Let the moisture soak up into the device for 30 seconds and it should be heavy like a brick. Put the device up on the lid.
Give me the dimensions of the humidor and I can try to shoot for the right size Humidification device. If you have a pic it would be great or send me to a site with a pic.
BUT for a medium size humidor get 2 Boveda 72% pillows, put them right on top of the cigars to bring up humidity and they inhibit the growth of mold also. Use the Boveda in conjunction with the top humidification for better results or you will need more Boveda pillows.

Mike