Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 5/21/2010

Question
I just bought a new humidor yesterday and it is my first time conditioning one.  I followed the instructions and was wondering how long it usually takes to be ready for my cigars (I am in a fairly dry and hot climate)
1. I took a brand new sponge, dampened it with distilled water and rubbed it on all of the exposed wood on the interior of the box.
2. I filled the actual humidor sponge (the piece that is meant to sit inside the box and release moisture) with the proper 50/50 solution and set it inside the box (i mistakenly opened it to fill it, but it went back together just fine so i dont think it will be a problem)
3. I left the sponge in the box over night ontop of a small plastic zip lock bag as instructed.  This morning when I checked my box, it seemed to read about 58%-60%ish.  

My instructions for the box itself said to set the analog reader by taking some salt putting barely enough water /w the salt in a dish and placing it in a bag (it did not say if i put the analong reader in the bag with it or outside of the bag) for 6 hours and than check for a reading.  I DID NOT TO THIS THO, because my reader was mounted in the front of my box and fit snuggly in a hole made for it.  Of course I removed it but after doing so I got nervous and put it back in place, it still fits but seems to be a little looser than before, will it be ok?  

I was also going to try and whipe the box down again tonight and in addition to the humidor sponge, i was going to leave a small cup of distilled water on the inside of the humidor to try and give the wood an extra source for moisture since I am in a dryer climate, will this be ok without harming the humidor?

Answer
Jordan,

So sorry to be so long in answering you. I've been out of the office for a few days and just got your question. You've done everything right to condition your humidor, and regardless of what the hygrometer reads, it should be maintaining your cigars well. Hygrometers are notorious for being inaccurate.

If you have any questions or need instructions on how to calibrate the hygrometer, please email me at b.finck@finckcigarcompany.com and I will send you my humidors 101 paper that has all the info you need in it.

Thanks,
Bill