Expert: M J Robbins - 6/27/2011

Question
QUESTION: I've placed my humidor in a wine cooler.  The hygrometer is attached to the lid inside the humidor and reads 65 degrees.  I recently moved the hygrometer to the bottom of the humidor and it reads 59 degrees!

I believe the light in the wine cooler is heating the lid of the humidor causing the variance in temp.  I've moved the humidor up closer to the light in the wine cooler hoping to get the temp up throughout the humidor.

I cannot set the temp any higher on the wine cooler and I'm worried they are too cold.

I've heard there is a device you can purchase that works like a thermostat for your wine cooler, not sure if I need to go this route.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Closer to the light is a great idea.
The bottom of a humidor is really thin because the makers anticipate it is usually sitting on a wood counter or table.
Put the humidor on a thicker board in the wine cooler.
Cut the board so it is wider than the box and gets light also to warm it up.
Another thing would be to up the wattage of the bulb slightly if you can.
So if the bulb is in the middle of the wine cooler put the box slightly to one side with the extra board directly under the light then the board will warm and heat the box from both sides?

Good luck
Enjoy
Mike

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

QUESTION: Will do.  

So what ill effects do I have to worry about since the bottom has been so cold?  They've been in there for a few weeks or more at that temp...

Answer
Do not worry
Rotate the cigars up and down weekly because 63 degrees is fine and that is in between.
Nothing will happen as long as the wrapper has not split already. If they are in wrappers they are better protected from this problem.
60 degrees is better than 75 degrees or higher.
Remember at lower temperatures you need 73% RH at a lower temperature 75%.
75% boveda has a slightly lower RH point like 74% in the cigars so they might be perfect.


Enjoy
Mike