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Cigars/High Humidity

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Expert: - 4/23/2007


Question
Hello James, I have a 50ct humidor that I am having a hard time keeping the humidity down where I want. I have tried 50/50 solution and tried to not fully saturate the humidification device, but niether way allows me to maintain a steady 65-67 RH. Whenever there is moisture in the humidifier it wants to creep up to the 72-75 RH area and it's frustrating me pretty bad. I have a lot of good sticks I don't want to lose to mold.

Answer
Hi Garret,

You may want to try a 50/50 propylene glycol mixture again but this time, add a bit more propylene glycol.  A 50/50 Propylene Glycol will limit the humidity perfectly at 70% (the ideal level for humidity in your humidor) but if you want to lower the humidity a tiny bit more, a 55/45 (or even 60/40) mixture should do the trick.  Start with 50/50 and add a tiny bit more propylene glycol to bring the humidity down.  Let your humidor sit a few days between doses because the Propylene Glycol will need to stabilize.  If you have to, relocate your cigars to a temporary container such as another humidor, travel humidor, tupperdor or humi-pouch.

Remember, Propylene Glycol is a bit tricky to use as there's a lot of guess work and patience needed in creating the perfect ratio of PG to distilled water but if you start at 50/50 and add a VERY TINY increments of PG (like one or two drops per increment), you should be able to fine tune the humidity without too much trouble.

Hopes this helps.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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