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Cigars/How to bring humidor humidity down?

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Expert: - 5/21/2007


Question
I had an analog hygrometer that was consistently staying at %70 humidity. After reading that digital was much safer bet I got one and ever since I put it in there, the reading has been %77 humidity and I have no idea how to bring it down? When I open it for a few minutes it starts to drop, but if I close it and check it a few minutes later its back to %77.  I started with distilled water only and then after a week added a little bit of PG solution.. Any help in bringing down the humidity would be great (the temperature is steady at 70F.)

Answer
Hi Anton,

It sounds like you might not have enough Propylene Glycol in your solution.  The initial dosage should be 50/50; 50% PG, 50% distilled water.  This should be enough to perfectly set your humidity at 70% (allow 1-2 weeks for the humidity to stabilize after you've added the PG).  If your humidity is still too high, you will have to add a tiny bit more PG to the humidification device to level it out.  If the humidity is high, add a bit more PG to increase it to a 60/40 mixture (60% PG).  If the humidity is too low, add a bit more water to dilute the PG solution. (40/60 mixture; 60% water)  Because all humidors and humidification devices are different, humidity output may also be different so you will need to fine tune the PG mixture.  50/50 is just a starting point.  In your case, a tiny bit more of PG should effectively lower the humidity from 77% to 70%.

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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