Expert: James Yee - 5/6/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my wife got me a humidor for our anniversary. Anyway I was using the analog Hygrometer that it came with, but it seemed like it was way too inaccurate, so I bought a digital one. I put it in the bag with the wet salt in a zip lock baggy to see the accuracy of the digital one, it reads around 74 RH but the thermometer is reading over a 100 degrees ! I put the digital Hygrometer in my humidor to see what it would read. It would read anywhere between 71 and 75 RH % and the temp would be in the 90's or 100's, what is going on with the temp? Did i buy a faulty digi hygrometer? or...im confused on why the temp is reading so high.

ANSWER: Hi Derek,

It sounds like your hygrometer could be defective.  If you have an extra thermometer (preferably a digital thermometer), let it sit in your humidor for a couple of hours to measure the temperature.  If the thermometer displays the same temperature reading as the digital hygrometer, then your new hygrometer is accurate.  If this is the case, then your humidor must be relocated to a cooler spot in your home in order to lower your humidor temperature.  

If the thermometer displays a lower temperature reading than your new hygrometer, your new hygrometer is either defective or improperly configured.  Check the documentation that came with your new hygrometer for possible programming instructions as all digital hygrometer models vary and some require configuration.  If there are no instructions, you many want to contact the manufacturer directly, or return the unit to the store for replacement.

Depending on where you live and where you store your humidor, it is possible for the humidor's internal temperature to be extremely high (80-100 degrees Fahrenheit).  If you live in a very hot region, be sure to keep your humidor in a cool room such as an air-conditioned room, or your basement/cellar.  Avoid keeping your humidor near incandescent lighting and natural sunlight as both can heat up your humidor.

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

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, I ended up taking it back and got a better one, it showed the same exact temp as it does on my thermostat for that apartment, so i was pleased with it's accuracy. I finally was able to place my cigars in the humidor, and ever since it shows a reading of 65 to 68% humidity...over time, will it be more stable staying at, or around 68-70%...and if it is atleast staying above 65% with the cigars in it, does that seem like it was properly seasoned?

ANSWER: Hi Derek,

65-68% is reasonable and your humidity will stabilize at 68-70% over time.  If your humidification device has lost a lot of moisture, refill it with distilled water and this should immediately boost the humidity level back to 70%.

If your humidity level does not improve, you can re-season the humidor and this will allow it to absorb and regulate humidity more effectively.  You can also upgrade to an electronic humidifier that allows you to custom set the humidity level.  An electronic humidifier is more precise at maintaining your desired humidity level and performs much better than a passive humidifier.

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

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, well it didnt end up stabalizing, i think i needed to reseason the humidor. I bought a cigar oasis electronic humidifier and I am using that to season it....It recommends that I wipe down the interior of my humidor, but the company that made the humidor says not to wipe it down with water. It says doing so may cause the wood to warp/ Damage it, etc. So im using a small plastic dish with distilled water in it while I let the electronic humidifier do it's job, it says u should keep it in there anywhere between 3 hours to 24 hours. Am I doing everything correct? Cuz im not exactly sure, lol.
I tried to put my cigars in there to see if it would hold the humidity, but it kept dropping and the humidifier would keep turning on whenever it dropped...So i figured the wood was absorbing too much of the humidity.

Answer
Hi Derek,

What you can do is purchase a "seasoning brick" at your local cigar store and this will automatically season your humidor.  All you would need to do is leave the brick inside your humidor and within 24-48 hours, your humidor will be fully seasoned.  As an alternative, you can take a large, clean sponge and soak it in distilled water.  You can then just leave the sponge in your humidor overnight (place it on top of a sheet of plastic food wrap or a dish to prevent direct water contact with the wood interior) and the humidor will absorb the moisture.  A sponge soaked with distilled water is much better than using a dish of distilled water because the dish could accidentally spill and cause water damage in your humidor.  Seasoning your humidor with your cigar oasis can work but will naturally take longer and unnecessarily deplete your humidifier's reservoir.

Although many humidor manufacturers insist that you do not season or wipe down your humidor, this is actually pretty safe if you know what you're doing.  Wiping down your humidor with a wet sponge will actually speed up the seasoning process and allow the wood to absorb the water more quickly.  When wiping down a humidor, the most important thing to remember is that you should never leave any visible puddles of water in the humidor for a long period of time as this is what causes water damage.  Never over-saturate a humidor interior with water.  The best method for seasoning a humidor yourself is to use a clean spray bottle and lightly spray the entire interior of your humidor.  Let the humidor sit for 1 minute and then throughly wipe up any excess water with the sponge.  You should then let the humidor sit overnight with the sponge soaked in distilled water.  Check on the humidor the next day... if the sponge has lost a lot of moisture, repeat the seasoning process.  When the sponge is able to sit overnight without losing much moisture, your humidor will finally be ready.

Regards,
James