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Expert: - 11/27/2007


Question
I purchased a new hygrometer and put it in humidor.then i calibrated the old one it was accurate when i put it back in the calibrated one dropped to 55% but new one was85%so i went with the calibrated reading and wet humidor to bring up humidity now cigars feel damp which one is right if any what should i do the cigars are hand rolled graycliff from bahamas

Answer
Kurt,

What you should do is double check to make sure both hygrometers are accurate and properly calibrated.  If one of your hygrometers is digital, use it as it is more accurate than an analog hygrometer.  Digital hygrometers would also require little or no calibration.

Let your humidor air out and temporarily remove the cigars so that they do not over-humidify.  (Place your cigars in a plastic bag or tupperware container for now.)  Add a 50/50 mixture of Propylene Glycol and distilled water in your humidification device.  This will balance the humidity at 70%.  Next, use the salt-test to make sure both hygrometers are properly calibrated.  (NOTE: Digital hygrometers are very accurate and sensitive so they do not require a salt test.)  Place both hygrometers (now calibrated) in your humidor again.  With the 50/50 propylene glycol, allow the humidor 1 week for the humidity to stabilize.  After 1 week, BOTH hygrometers should read 70%.  If the humidity is too high, add a tiny bit more propylene glycol.  If the humidity is too low, add a bit more water.

If your cigars feel damp, then it is mostly likely excess humidity.  A 50/50 propylene glycol mixture will correct this but it is also important to make sure your hygrometer(s) are working properly.

Hopes this answers your question.

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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