First Humidor.. need some help
So I bought myself my first humidor last Thursday, just a small 20-25count one to start me off. I was told by the shop owner to lightly rub down the inside with a damp (not soaking) rag with distilled water, and then to soak the humidifier for about 15min. After that he told me to calibrate my hygrometer (analog) by soaking and ringing out paper towels and wrap them around it, and after about 20min said it should read 100 and if not to adjust it to that.
So now about a week later, I can't seem to get my humidity levels down. I took the humidor into the shop the other day to have him look at things and make sure it was all good, and he left my hygrometer in his humidor for awhile to see if it was accurate, and it wasn't far off, only a few degrees.
At the store it was sitting at about 75. I brought it home and it is up at around 80 and sometimes a bit more, so I have been both cracking it and opening it completely to try and let some air get at it.
Guy at the shop mentioned that my room might be too warm and it is anywhere between 68-72 normally. He said that it will just eventually go down and that the box is still seasoning. True?
Any thoughts?
So now about a week later, I can't seem to get my humidity levels down. I took the humidor into the shop the other day to have him look at things and make sure it was all good, and he left my hygrometer in his humidor for awhile to see if it was accurate, and it wasn't far off, only a few degrees.
At the store it was sitting at about 75. I brought it home and it is up at around 80 and sometimes a bit more, so I have been both cracking it and opening it completely to try and let some air get at it.
Guy at the shop mentioned that my room might be too warm and it is anywhere between 68-72 normally. He said that it will just eventually go down and that the box is still seasoning. True?
Any thoughts?
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Comments
Even before you salt test the hygrometer you should try removing the humidifier to see if that is the main problem. Soaking any type of humidifier is likely to over-saturate it. Try leaving the lid open for an hour or so and then close it up without the humidifier inside and see what readings you get after 12 hours.
Please post back on this thread and let us know how it works out and if you want to ask us any more questions just fire away.
If you would prefer to ditch your analog hydrometer, I would recommend an investment in a xikar. They are guaranteed. Just under $20 online with free shipping and super easy to calibrate. (XIKAR Digital Round Cigar Hygrometer 832XI)
http://www.amazon.com/XIKAR-Digital-Round-Hygrometer-832XI/dp/B002V4EZUE/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1375851473&sr=1-2
If you havent done the salt test, I recommend that you do it,, whos to say that the hygrometer you compared yours with was accurate. Too many uncertains till you calibrate, get a digital. regardless of what humidor you use you can always use a digital hygrometer!! For bigger get a cooler!!! 3-5 day at blankmart or blankdepot
And the Southport Large is a great choice for you to upgrade to. I have one. I counted my sticks when it was full. It held 100. It has a wonderful aroma. I saw them sell for $40 on the sprint sale a few times. I wish I had gotten a second one at that price when I had the chance.
Also, how big of a difference does it make with room temp? Only reason I ask is because we have the windows of the house open... weather channel says it is 64 outside right now, but the thermostat which is in the room next to where my hygrometer is, says the house is 73degrees.
Make sure that you are using distilled water and that you are making the salt "damp" and not "wet". It should look like wet sand without any layer of shine from water resting on top. You should be able to tip the bottle cap over about 90 degrees and no water pours off and the salt should hold firm. That would help prove that you don't have too much distilled water in your salt to water ratio which would result in higher than 75% readings during your test. (I like to use a Gatorade or similar size bottle cap. It's easier to handle and adjust your salt to water ratio.)
Assuming that your salt to water ratio is good, I think what you really ought to do is to put a piece of tape on it that says -17% (minus 17) so that you would remember to subtract from 92% to get your salt test baseline result of 75%.
However, 17% is so far off that personally, I would go ahead and try to adjust it down to get at least within 7 or 8 percentage points of the 75% target reading. I'm not even sure if that extra adjustment is needed, so hopefully some of the more experienced guys will chime in and add their two cents worth on whether that would be necessary or if It's just my preference.
Looking forward to your next update.