Expert: James Yee - 4/30/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello again James,

I have a 100ct humidor that's been seasoned using the spray down method for 5 days until it was consistently holding a humidity of over 80%, and there were several humidifiers inside. I've left the humidor with 2 gel humidifiers and a 25 cigar travel sponge humidifier (enough for about 225 cigars in a normal situation), and the humidity is not able to stay above 70% for more than a day at any time now that I'm not spraying the wood constantly. I think that the seal on my humidor is much too loose as it does not firmly close when I put the lid down. Is there a way to increase the quality of the seal so that I don't have to go out and but an entirely new humidor?

Thanks again for all your help,
Rich
ANSWER: Hi Rich,

68% to 73% humidity in your humidor is considered the safe zone for storing cigars so as long as your humidor is holding steady within that range, your cigars will be fine.  70% is actually the perfect humidity level so if your humidor can't stay ABOVE 70% like you mentioned, don't worry about it.  As long as it holds at or around 70%, everything is fine.  

If however, the humidity can’t hold within the safe zone at all, you should buy some propylene glycol and add a one-time 50/50 mixture (50% distilled water, 50% propylene glycol) to the sponge humidification unit (don’t add this to the gel-based units).  This will level the humidity out at a perfect 70%.  You only need to add this mixture just once as Propylene Glycol can last a long time in your humidor.  After this, all you need to do is refill the humidification device with distilled water when needed.  It may take up to 10 days for the humidity to stabilize after the 50/50 mixture so don’t worry if it’s still high after a couple of days.

As for making repairs to your humidor, I wouldn’t suggest that you do any do-it-yourself permanent repairs to your humidor as that can actually compromise the humidor’s performance in a bad way.  If you are sure that the humidity loss is from a construction flaw or defect in the humidor, then it would be best to contact either the manufacturer or the store you purchased it from and see what they can do.

Hopes this answers your questions.  If you have any more questions, just let me know.

Regards,
James


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

QUESTION: Thanks,

But I've already got the propylene glycol solution in the humidor and the humidity is actually sitting at about 55-65% at maximum (relatively close to the room's humidity, about 50%, which is why I believe that it is seeping too much air). Unfortunately I bought the humidor while on vacation in cuba and there isn't anyone I can talk to about fixing it. Some of the lining in the humidor has come loose from it's original side and bowed out. I'm assuming it's a manufacturing issue and I should just get a new one, unless there is anything you could suggest.

Thanks again,
Rich

Answer
Hi Rich,

It definitely sounds like the humidity is leaking out due to the faulty construction so you'll need to get a new humidor.  Since this humidor doesn't have any warranty, it wouldn't hurt to try to repair the humidor yourself or you can get a second opinion from a carpenter/cabinet maker specializing in humidors and humidor repair and see if they can repair the humidor.  It might not provide optimum performance after it's been repaired but considering the humidor doesn't have any warranty, it's worth a shot.  

Good luck!

P.S. - Interestingly enough, I - along with a few friends - also purchased custom built humidors made in Havana and they all had similar problems.

James.