Thread: Humidor problems

Originally Posted by themadhatter

as I've been taught. there is the 70/70/70 rule for keeping a humidor and it's contents happy:

70% humidity
70F
at least 70% full

an empty humidor is more difficult to regulate then one that has a healthy quantity of cigars in it.

HAHA nice!!

Well mine failed the $ test miserably.
Hope to make it to our local shop to pick up another this weekend

You may not have to get a new humidor (although an additional humidor gives you more space ). If you want you can try to seal your existing humidor.

I don't know much about the one you have, but if it has any glass, get some silicone sealer and seal around the edge of the glass where it meets the wood.

If it is just wood, go to your local hardware store and pick up some of the 1/8" weather stripping and put some around the lid until you have a good seal. Once sealed it should hold humidity and you can test this by putting a hygrometer in the empty humidor; check the RH in about 6 hours and then check it again the next day. If it is sealed the RH should remain unchanged.

If the RH still changes then you need to look at sealing the corner (top, bottom, side) seams -- again using the silicone.

After applying the silicone you need to let it dry and let the humi air out for a few days -- don't want any of the fumes to get into your cigars.

Which brings me to the last point: Make sure you have a good Hygrometer. I like the Hygroset II's as they can be calibrated and they are not very expensive. You can calibrate them using the salt-test method, or by using a Boveda pack (I do the Boveda packs as it is easier and the packs are re-usable).

I emptied my humidor out and am starting over... my seal was poor so I sanded the top by sticking sandpaper on the bottom and rubbing the top back and forth, then I slotted my hinges a bit and got a much better seal... looking at putting in acigar oasis electronic humidifier.

How big is your humi that you are looking at an Oasis? Many of the better bead products (Shilala, Heartfelt, etc.) will do just as nicely.

(I have to admit to a bias to Shilala beads)

Hmmm... maybe I will give them a shot...