Expert: James Yee - 7/11/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I have a new humidor just delivered to me. It has a sponge type humidifier, but came with crystals, (I'm assuming they're acryl polymer) Can you please tell me how to set the machine up? I'm a newbie, and sorely lacking in experience here!

Many thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Mark,

Congratulations on your new humidor.  The first thing you must do is make sure the humidor is seasoned.  Higher-end humidors are typically seasoned in the factories before they are shipped out but most humidors require you to season it yourself.  Seasoning your humidor will allow it to absorb and regulate the humidity more properly.  Seasoned humidors will also perform longer between humidification recharges.  Check with any documentation that was included with your humidor to see if it has already been factory seasoned.

(NOTE: It should be noted that seasoning can only be applied to humidors with wood (cedar) interiors.  Humidors without any wood in the interior cannot be seasoned.)

To season your humidor, you will need the following:
1 – Clean and sterilized spray bottle (preferably brand new).
1 – Clean, unused and unscented sponge
1 – Small, clean sheet of plastic food wrap or a clean, plastic sandwich bag
1 – Bottle of 100% Distilled water (not bottled drinking, boiled, tap or filtered water)
1 – Bottle of Propylene Glycol (just in case)

You humidor should already have the following:
- At least one (1) Humidification device (aqua foam-based)
- One (1) Hygrometer (either digital or analog; digital preferred)
Humidification Crystals (optional and may not be necessary)

The first step is to use the spray bottle thoroughly spray the entire humidor interior with distilled water.  Don’t flood the humidor but instead, evenly cover the interior with a good layer of distilled water and then let the humidor sit so the water can be absorbed into the wood.  After several minutes, the water should be fully absorbed and there shouldn’t be any visible “puddles” or wet spots sitting inside the humidor.  If there is, quickly wipe it up with the clean sponge.  Be sure to also spray down other interior components such as trays, drawers and dividers.

The next step is to take the humidifier device and fill it with distilled water.  Make sure the foam inside the humidification unit is completely saturated but not dripping wet.   Saturate the sponge with distilled water and then let the humidor sit overnight with the hygrometer, fully charged humidification device and sponge saturated with distilled water.  Let the wet sponge sit on top of a sheet of plastic food wrap or baggie so that it doesn’t directly touch the wood.

Let the humidor sit overnight and check the hygrometer in the morning.  If the humidity level is extremely low (less than 68%) and both the sponge and humidification device is bone-dry (or lost a large amount of moisture), re-spray the humidor interior, refill the humidification device, re-saturate the sponge and let them sit in your humidor for another night.  When the sponge and humidification device is able to sit overnight without losing much moisture, the humidor will be fully-seasoned.

Once the humidor has been fully seasoned, check the humidity level.  If the hygrometer reads 70%, your humidor is perfect and ready to go.  68-73% is considered the ideal humidity range so if your humidor is within this range, everything’s fine.  (The perfect humidor interior environment is “70/70”; 70% humidity & 70 degrees Fahrenheit.)  

If the humidity is extremely low (less than 67%), let the humidor sit overnight again to see if the humidity stabilizes or if the wood will need to be seasoned again.  If the humidity is extremely high (75-100%), you will need to add a dose of Propylene Glycol (PG).  First let the humidification device lose some of its water and then add a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and Propylene Glycol (1 equal part distilled water to 1 equal part PG).  You only need to add Propylene Glycol just once and afterwards, simply add distilled water to the humidification device when needed.  It may take up to two weeks after you’ve added the PG for the humidity to stabilize but the Propylene Glycol should level and maintain your humidity perfectly at 70%.  (Most pharmacies and larger drug stores should carry Propylene Glycol.  You can also order it on the internet.  A small bottle should last you a very long time.)

Your humidor is now ready to be used.

Hopes this answers your question.  (And I hope the instructions isn’t too confusing.)  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I’ll be happy to help.  

Regards,
James


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

QUESTION: Thanks very much for your prompt reply. I don't think the humidifier has had anything done with it, and looks bone dry to me. It's a green oasis as far as I can tell. Should it be dipped into a 50/50 soln of PG/H2O for a while first to prime it for regulation?

Answer
Hi Mark,

The plastic housing for the humidification device should open.  Simply open the plastic housing and then pour the 50/50 mixture over the oasis.  Allow the mixture to settle and close the housing again.  If the humidifier unit cannot open, carefully pour the mixture through the grill/housing slats.  It's much better to pour the mixture into the humidification unit rather than dipping it.

Regards,
James