Cigars/humidor
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Question
Hi James,
Thank you for the answer last time.I got my cigars and I bought a good but little older(second hand)humidor.I prepared it with the solution but I put only distilled water in the two plastic foam containers. Should I replace the distilled water with the solution and how would I go about doing that?
Hi Oro,
You should monitor the humidity level first. If the humidor creates 70% humidity (67-74% is acceptable and 70% is considered perfect), you don't need to use humidor solution. Humidor solution/Propylene Glycol is only used if your humidor has high humidity (greater than 75%) which cannot be controlled. If your humidor has normal or low humidity with only distilled water in the foam containers, it's not necessary to use humidor solution.
Monitor your humidor for a week to see how high the humidity is. If you do need to add the premixed humidor solution, follow the directions on the bottle. One mixture should fill exactly one foam humidifier container. If you are mixing your own humidor solution, you need to start with 50% PG (Propylene Glycol) and 50% distilled water. A 50/50 mixture should create exactly 70% humidity. If not, fine tune the mixture by adding a tiny bit more distilled water (to lower humidity) or more distilled water (to dilute the PG and increase humidity.)
Hopes this helps. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.
Regards,
James
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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
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