Expert: James Yee - 4/23/2011

Question
hi
after seasoning my humidor as per the manufactures' instruction my humidity remain high around 80%. Anything you can recommend would be appreciated
regards
Jay

Answer
Hi Jay,

The first thing you should do is check your hygrometer and make sure that it's still accurate.  Sometimes the (analog) hygrometer needle can be knocked out of sync from the slightest bump or jolt to your humidor and this will cause an incorrect reading.  Use a salt test to check your hygrometer's accuracy and calibrate if necessary.  (If you need hygrometer salt test instructions, just let me know and I will repost them for you.)  If you are using a digital hygrometer, make sure the batteries are not low as weak batteries can sometimes give an incorrect reading.

If your hygrometer is fine, then we definitely know that the high humidity is due to the extra moisture in your humidor.  To lower the high humidity, you can add a container of dry humidity beads and they will absorb and lower your humidor's humidity level.  You can buy moisture-control humidity beads at your local cigar store/tobacconist.

You can also try removing your humidifier for a day or two and let the extra humidity in your humidor dissipate.  Be sure to leave the humidor lid slightly open to help the humidity escape more quickly.  Once the humidity level drops below 65-70%, you can add the humidifier back to your humidor.  If the humidity level rises past 75% again, let the humidor air out some more.  

If you are using a passive foam-based humidifier, you can add some propylene glycol to your humidifier and this will help lower the humidity.  A 50/50 mixture of propylene glycol and distilled water should create exactly 70% humidity in your humidor.  If you don't like mixing PG yourself, you can buy a brand name, pre-mixed Propylene Glycol and distilled water humidor solution at your local cigar store and this will work just as well.

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