Expert: James Yee - 7/25/2007

Question
Hi James,

I recently asked you about setting up a new humidor. I diligently seasoned the wood, added the 50/50 PG/DiH20 as detailed in your excellent response. Two weeks later, my humidity has settled into 58-60% region. I am suspicious of the lid of the humidor, its not as tight as I'd like, certainly it was much better when the wood was damp when I was seasoning it.

I have a spare bag of humidifying crystals, should I use these as a halfway measure, if so, can you let me know how to set them up to work in tandem with the existing PG/H20 humidifier?

Many thanks.

Answer
Hi Mark,

First, see if you can add more distilled water to the humidification device.  If you’re using a 50/50 PG-distilled water mixture and the humidity is less than 70%, it’s possible that there is more PG than there is water in your humidor so adding more water to the humidification device would correct this.  If the humidification element is fully charged and you can’t add any more water to it, then the humidor crystals should be able to balance everything out.  

Along with your bag of humidor crystals, there should also be a plastic container or a small jar included with your humidor.  This container will hold your crystals and the removeable lid should have holes drilled into the top.  If you don’t have this container, you can pick one up (or something similar) at your local tobacconist/cigar shop.  (You can also use an empty, plastic humidification device housing but please note that the crystals will simply sit in your humidor.  Don’t mount the crystals on the sides or under the lid of your humidor.)  Now all you need to do is add the crystals to the container and fill the container up with water.  (Some companies claim that you can just use tap water but distilled water is a safer choice.)  The crystals should absorb all the water, expand and regulate the humidity in your humidor.  When the crystals begin to shrink, simply refill with water so they re-expand again.

Hopes this answers your questions.  As always, if you have any more questions, feel free to just ask. :)

Regards,
James