Expert: M J Robbins - 6/4/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have recently purchased my first humidor (100 capacity).  I am currently going through the process of seasoning.

I decided to test my digital hygrometer and the analog hygrometer that came with the humidor and came up with two questions:

First Question: I noticed that the temp in my home is registering around 77 degrees while the hygrometer sits on my kitchen counter.  Once it is placed in the humidor will this help bring the temperature down closer to the 70 range?  If not, where should I place my humidor to achieve ideal temperature.  I did not foresee this as a problem as I have seen several cigar smokers with desktop humidors placed in an average room temperature environment, i.e. offices, dressers in bedrooms, etc.  I live in South Florida.

Second Question: I did the salt test on the digital and analog hygrometers in separate ziploc bags.  They are both reading about 70 degrees.  I find it unlikely that both would be off by the same amount.  Could I have conducted the salt test incorrectly?  I had about a teaspoon of salt with 3 to 5 drops of water so that the salt was pasty.  One of the bags there were two or three small drops of water that formed on the inside top of the bag.  Does this sound correct?

ANSWER: If you are going to store a lot of cigars with a great value then they must be in a cooler room.
70 degrees or less. One friend bought a room air conditioner from Costco just for his room with 100 boxes of cigars.
Warmer room - keep less cigars. Just keep a few months supply on hand in my opinion if you are not going to run the air conditioning set at 73 degrees at most.
If you spent $20 or $30 on a hygrometer then it will be off by a few percent at least, usually. $150 for an accurate one is a little high for the common humidor.

Use Boveda packets as they keep proper humidity and reduce the chance of mold at the higher temperature. Open them up and put a few right on top of the cigars.
To check the hygrometers put one in a zip lock bag with a Boveda and see for sure.

In Florida get a lower humidity Boveda -
65%RH at 77 degrees.
69%RH at 73 degrees

Enjoy
Mike

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

QUESTION: I did not consider a room AC.  I could pick one up for about $100.  However, I could also buy a small wine cooler for about the same price (maybe up to $140).  If I don't have the spanish cedar shelves and just buy the wine cooler as is, are there any downsides to doing this?  If I place the entire humidor in the wine cooler will moisture be a problem?

ANSWER: Put the whole boxes of cigars in the wine cooler at 66 degrees and with 72% humidity Boveda in each box
Do not put the cigars open in the cooler if possible as they will lose flavor unless you line it with Spanish cedar. So the humidor in the cooler is great.

Enjoy
Mike

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

QUESTION: I purchased the wine cooler.  For about three days I have had my cigars in the humidor in the wine cooler.  I placed two boveda 72% packs in the humidor.  The humidor was large enough to place two boxes of cigars stacked; however, I had to place one box in loosely (still in wrappers).  I placed a boveda pack on the top of one cigar box and the other in front of both boxes, the loose cigars are stacked on the left side.

I replaced the hygrometer and the new one is much more accurate.

The temp in the wine cooler is 65 (doesn't seem to go any higher) and the hygrometer showed a low of 62 (is this an issue?).

Answer
Put the boveda in the box with the cigars - take out a few to make room, or smoke a few?
Put the other one right on top of the cigars not in front or to the side.

If you want to measure true humidity put the hygrometer right down with the cigars next to the Boveda.

Too low RH you can use hanging humidity sponges to bring it up - the pucks or beads but get the ones that attach to the top of the box.

At a lower temperature get the 75% boveda to change it up if you need to.

Enjoy
Mike