subject: Common Problems With Maintaining Humidor Humidity [print this page] Every cigar enthusiast knows that humidity, not too much, not too little, is very important to the maintenance and aging of fine cigars. Learning how to store your cigars, and what cigar accessories best provide the humidity you seek, is part of the learning process that many go through on their way to wisdom. Most people blame the humidor when something starts going wrong, but there are several problems that may be occurring that are skewing your humidity readings. Maintaining proper humidity in a humidor can mean the difference between a lackluster and an enjoyable smoke.
The most common problem with humidity in humidors is that the box was never re-humidified before the initial use. It is critical to proper maintenance that you take the time to properly maintain your unit, and that means you have to properly re-humidify and season the box before you load it to the brim with your favorite cigars. So much about enjoying fine tobacco relies on patience, and that includes your use of humidors.
Sometimes the problem stems from the lid not being properly sealed. In order to maintain an ideal atmosphere inside the humidor, you need to make sure the seal is airtight, because you are trying to create a perfect environment for your cigars. If the seal is cracked, it can lead to changes in temperature and variances in humidity that will ruin your tobacco.
The hygrometer in your humidor is a very important piece of equipment, and it should not be overlooked if you are having difficulties with humidity. The purpose of this handy piece of technology is to read the humidity level inside your unit. If you are getting bad readings, there is a chance that the problem lies with the calibration of your hygrometer. A hygrometer's readings can also be skewed by being too close to a heat source, or to a source for extreme cold. Even being knocked around can mess with the calibration, so make sure your hygrometer is in good working order.
If you are consistently having problems with a low reading on the humidity level, you may want to use a combination of distilled water and propylene glycol solution in your humidifier. This will boost the humidity level to a more ideal level. If you prefer, you can substitute humidifying crystals for the propylene glycol. When everything is in good working order, your humidor should conform to the 70-70 rule, that is 70 percent humidity, 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
