Temperature and its Effect on Humidity

jw517

I have a larger humidore I made from a dorm fridge. I have it in the basement and it's cooler down there than the rest of the 68 degree house. My hygrometers are reading about 65F and 71H but the last couple cigars I smoked cracked at the head when I punched them. The smoke seemed dryer than normal too(maybe). Is this lower temp having a remarkable effect on the available moisture even at a reading of 70H? 

Yournamehere

This is more science then I want to get into so for short...lower temps have less space for humidity. The rh is added into the equation and your hygrometer should be spot on if calibrated right and is digital. Personally I keep mine at 65/65 and really only have issues when it’s cold out. Why these issues happen isn’t really totally on how you kept them but the whole story of...what temp did you take it out,did you travel anywhere,how long was it in the cold for and was it cold then warm. Also what wrapper did the cigar have? There are way too many variables but to me 65 degrees and 71rh the rh is too high. Also what kind of punch did you use? How old is it and are you sure it’s sharp? I’ve had very few issues with a punch and most of them were just because of me being impatient and jabbing it into the cigar instead or pressing and rotating

jw517

It may be the wrapper types and my imagination. I'm using two digital hygrometers and both are about the same readings. The punch is new. I was just curious if there is a equation here I don't know about. Anyway,, I added a bit of humidity for a while. Also, I have a lot of five paks I bought in the last couple months. I thought they would be fine leaving them wrapped from cigarbid and in my humidore. I don't need a lot of loose cigars in my storage humidore. They are ok wrapped ,are they not?

Yournamehere

They are fine wrapped since air and humidity can still get through. But trust me in this cold weather I always have a bottle of cigar glue and a trusty cutter

jw517

I figured since they are in the correct environment,any air exchange in the packs will be the correct air. Thanks,I'll stop worrying for a bit. 

IndustMech

I recently unwrapped my 5 packs. I figure the shrink wrap is more of a moisture barrier, not the same as the cello. 

jw517

These are not "shrink wrapped" but are wrapped pretty well!  Thanks

rsherman24

Unless you have a temp and humidity controlled environment to smoke in, there is usually a pretty good swing between your humi and your smoking area in the cold areas during winter.  I can smoke in my basement right next to where my cigars are stored, but it is still an RH of 64% in the cooler and 47% outside of the coolers.

I avoid the punch and go for a really sharp V Cutter during the winter months.  

Yakster

Oh boy, justification for another cigar toy!

jw517

Punched a Tatoo tonight and it came out ok. Maybe it was just a thin wrapper and I need to be more gentle.

Rhamlin

Did you smoke outside? Always let your smoke acclimate to to surrounding temp and humidity for about 10 minutes or more before smoking. Especially if you’ll be outside. 

jw517

Kind of but it's warm out today 40F.