So I got a new humidor and it came with the Hygrometer and the humidifier but I've seen ads and videos for the propylene glycol gel packs. Anyone have an experience with these? They are supposed to maintain a constant 70% humidity.

I also got mixed message on whether or not to wipe down the interior with a damp cloth/sponge. I understand that your run the risk of warping the wood so I think I'm going to pass on that.....any input?

Mods, sorry if it's in the wrong section...move it for me please if it is.

 

1st thing, correct section for this type of question.

The question on the gel packs, I have looked at them over time, and never pulled the trigger on them.

I have one of the Oshkosh humidifier in mine ( it is large enough to hold that size ) and once I got the humidor seasoned, and adjusted the vents in the humidifier it works fine. I started with a new humidor when I got this humidifier.

In the seasoning phase, I did wipe down the inside with the distilled water with a new sponge, and closed the lid for 24 or 48 hrs ( forget what the instructions said to do ). You should have gotten directions for the humidor, best to follow the directions, if you want consistent results out of the gate. You are wiping it down, the cedar liner would have to be soaked in water to swell and warp.

If you do not get it seasoned correctly, the humidity will be all over the place ( had this happen with my last one ) for about 3 months.

 

As for the gel packs Ive never used them, so I really cant comment on them. As for wiping down the interior, yes you should do it, just use a damp sponge with distilled water dont soak it. Let it sit for a day or two then put your cigars in it.

 

As for soaking the box all I've read said to do 1 day and put the sponge on cellophane and let it sit in there 24 hours. Wipe down again on day 2 but don't leave the sponge in. As for calibrating the hygrometer it says to wrap it in a hot towel for 2-5 minutes and set it to like 85% (I don't have the instructions in front of me.

I think I'm going to go by a cigar shop and get some of the gel packs and give them a try. This is my first humidor, I've just recently gotten serious about cigars. It's a small 25-35 box.

 

Sounds straight forword, If you are indeed serious about cigars you are going to need a bigger humidor. I personaly dont like to fill my humidors to max capacity either, the most I go is 3/4 full. Good luck.

 

Well it's becoming a hobby. I know my wife isn't as serious as I am LOL, that's my stopping point there. I figured a small box would be easier to start out on and get the hang of it and then I could go bigger if I wanted to. I probably smoke about 1 cigar a week or so. I dip during the week though.

 

Your habbit will increase or decrease depending on how much free time you have.

 

a suggestion on keeping the cost of your new habit down. stay out of the corner cigar stores as much as you can. internet sellers are much cheaper. thompson cigar.com has sampler packs at good prices. i have found that jr cigars.com have the best prices per box. jr's also has packs of 5 so that you dont have to buy the whole box. go to either of those sites and request a catalog. also costco by us has a small humidor in the store. very limited selection but what they have are cheap.

 

I got my humidor and 25 cigars from Thompson cigars. I paid like $33 for all of it. I want to go back to Grand Cayman and get some real Cohibas. I was able to get a pack in but didn't have a humidifier so I ended up giving them as gifts. So when is Obama going to let us have the true Cohibas again?

 

Alright... here is the Chemical story on Propylene Glycol and how this works... in layman terms.

Propylene Glycol solution of 50:50 has a chemical tendency to absorb moisture above 70 percent humidity and to give off water at below 70 percent. It is just its chemical equalibrium it tries to maintain itself. Its chemical property if you will. When mixed with water then it has Moisture to give off and when it gets below 70% it will give off the water and if above it will absorb it. So this is handy for us who want to maintain near 70% because we can simply put it in a sponge of some sort and let it let off water when need or absorb it when not. And we can then replenish the water as it is depleated from being absorbed by the Cigar and surrounding Cedar or lost to leaks and openings. We simply add more water and eventually more mixture of PPG and Water.

So mostly we use a spongy material to hold it like Florists Sponge and we simply mix PPG and Distilled De-Ionized water at a 50:50 mix and let it do its thing. We replenish the water and recharge the Mixture from time to time. We let the Chemical properties of that chemical do its thing for us.

 

I've been smoking cigars since 1990. Since I retired in Feb. 2007, I've smoked 2-4 cigars every day.

Yes, do wipe the interior walls with a damp cloth or sponge and let it sit--closed-- for 12 hours or so before you put any cigars in it. I use a wine cooler to my sticks in.

70% RH is way too high! Cigars smoke best between 61-65% RH.

And, you will not get true Cuban cigars in Grand Cayman or anywhere else a cruise ship puts into harbor. They are fake unless you find a La Casa Del Habano state-owned store. ALL others sell counterfeit Cuban cigars. Don't waste your money. And FWIW, fake Cuban cigars are sold on the street in Cuba itself.

 

No... the relative Humidity recommendation is based upon the relative humidity of where Tobacco is grown and it has long been determined they age and cure best at 65% to 75% humidity and about 70 degrees F... So often it is stated that 70% is a good average. So I would disagree with your statement that 70% is "way" too high. Everyone pretty much uses that average. Its worked for me for years. Now... I would agree that 65% is fine too but your going to have a real hard time maintaining anything in a range as small as your indicating. Typically you can maintain a range like 65 to 75 with normal measures.

 

Mine stays between 65-70% on 50/50 activation solution.

 

I used these instructions when I set mine up about two years ago. Never had a problem with the humidity level or wood warpage.

http://www.neptunecigar.com/co/faq-h...w_humidor.aspx