Rookie Cigar Question

DSA · 12-29-2006, 01:17 AM

http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchan...ode=TVHUMIDORS

Got his one for Christmas just wondering if I need to find some spanish cedar to line it with or will the Propylene Glycol and Distilled Water mixture keep it humid. Somehow cigars seem to mellow me out and allow me to relax a bit so the mom in law hooked me up.

Painthappy · 12-29-2006, 08:46 AM

You don't need spanish cedar lining.... Heck as long as you have a nice seal, you are good to go.

The wood DOES help absorb moisture and does keep the air regulated, but not completely needed.

The Glycol/Water mixture should keep it humid enough. Did it also come with a hygrometer? If you want to really get nutty you can test the hydrometer to make sure it is accurate with a "salt" test.

info on Salt Test
http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchan...owto_calibrate

Though I've never presonally done it, but I've been told it works.

If you plan on keeping them for an extended time, some type of hygrometer should be needed. Just to make sure you're staying around the 70% mark. But otherwise, just give them a slight squeeze. You'll know if the cigars are getting too dry.

Oh, and don't be afraid.... If the humidity level is staying low because the humdifyer can't keep up. Fill up a shot glass with water, and put it in the box. I actually do this most of the time, and it works great for me. Now you on the other hand will have a better seal then my box so don't keep it in there all the time.

The other part about humidity is to not OVER humidify. These humidifiers are designed to both release and absorb moisture.

Reminds me... Time to have a cigar... Haven't had one in about 10 months now, and I miss em!

Drum · 12-29-2006, 09:13 AM

I may have to look into a few of these boxes.

For my... cigars.

Yeah, that's the ticket!

Just cigars... nothing else.

D

DSA · 12-29-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

For my... cigars.

Yeah, that's the ticket!

Just cigars... nothing else

Say Drum do you roll your own pink cigars (wink)?

DSA · 12-29-2006, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the info C.

craltal · 12-29-2006, 01:47 PM

The spanish Cedar is supposed to help with the aging of cigars. It's not necessary at all for plain storage/ transport.

BilboTC2 · 12-29-2006, 02:44 PM

With 6 humidors and over 300 cigars aging at any given time let me weigh in. Spanish cedar is the best for humidifying containers because it keeps out weevils and bugs (ask and oldtimer about a cedar chest/closet) and has a natural fungicide in it that helps deter mold and mildew. Now I said deter, if you soak the bejeebers out of the humidor then it will all get mushy on you. 70% humidity is only good with 70 degree Farenheit to match. When a cigar is rolled...young they use several types of leaves, filler, wrapper. The wrapper is usually only a single leaf wrapped around the long filler...several leaves rolled together and then wrapped. An aged cigar is one allowed to hang out long enough and have the oils in the wrapper and filler move back and forth so it mellows (hence my 6 boxes and 300 cigars, I'll smoke no cigar before it's time). Also as it ages the leaves decompose slightly and give off a little ammonia, so every once in a while open the the humidor and let some air out. 5 minutes every other week would be good. Cigars hate the cold so storing them in the fridge is killer..it dehydrates the daylights out you precious puros. The 50/50 mix of Pro.Gly/distilled water is perfect as it's a give and take blend. And get a hygrometer the cheapest works as well as the $200 electronic one, as long as you refer to it...very few reach out and tell you to add fluid. Last but not least...the salt trick works. Done with my rant!

paint magnet · 01-02-2007, 05:07 PM

The thing you have to be especially careful about with humidors like that (i.e., airtight with o-ring seals and the like) is over-humidifying. Humidors made of wood breathe better and Spanish cedar lends a very nice flavor to cigars over time; it also keeps out bugs as has already been mentioned.

With the humidor you have, you should add water or 50/50 mix in very small amounts. The container is air-tight, which is good for transportation, but it does not allow any moisture out unless you open the lid. If you get the relative humidity too high, your cigars will begin to grow mold.

What you want is a relative humidity inside the box of 64-72 percent and a stable temperature around that range as well. Most abide by the 70/70 rule (70 % humidity, 70 degrees F), but if either number is slightly off it won't make much difference. Some prefer their cigars a little dryer and keep them toward the lower end of the spectrum, others prefer a more moist smoke. It's all preference, just make sure you don't dry them out or cause them to grow mold.

Some things to watch out for:
-Don't leave it sitting in the sun, the box will heat up very quickly on the inside.
-Don't add water too fast to your hygrometer. Cigars won't dry out instantly if your humidor is at 60%. Bring them back up to humidity slowly; intoducing too much moisture too fast will cause them to swell and the wrappers will split.
-Cheap hygrometers can be had for under $20. This will tell you what percentage humidity is in your humidor. Make sure to do the salt calibration test listed above to make sure it's accurate.
-For travel purposes, you can fill your humidor to its full capacity. For long term storage, you only want to put about 3/4 the cigars that it will hold in it. If you have too few or too many the humidity is hard to regulate.
-Open the box every now and then (once a week or so) to let out the "stale" air produced by the aging cigars. This will also allow you to check your humidity.

If aged properly, cigars will develop a thin whitish powder/film on the wrapper. This is not mold, it is actually the oils from the leaves within moving to the outside of the cigar and shows that it has been properly rolled and aged. Just wipe it off with your finger or a cloth and enjoy, this is when the cigar is in its prime.

Good luck and happy smoking!

DSA · 01-03-2007, 12:51 AM

Great info I hope to be lucky enough to visit a market and get a real humidor with some real cubans (stoogies not people). That is if there are no IEDs going off. I may be stuck with this humidor the entire year I guess it could be worse. I had a cuban once and hated it but for those of you on this thread I will send a box of them for your next castle conquest if I can get to a market.
Just remember to toast slowcode, myself and any other MCB'ers in the sandbox.

Moose · 01-03-2007, 12:42 PM

DSA, once you get over there, please post up your address (if possible). I would be more than happy to send over a care package,

12-29-2006, 01:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
DSA REDUX Freak w/ PTSD Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lubbock TX	Rookie Cigar Humidor Question http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchan...ode=TVHUMIDORS Got his one for Christmas just wondering if I need to find some spanish cedar to line it with or will the Propylene Glycol and Distilled Water mixture keep it humid. Somehow cigars seem to mellow me out and allow me to relax a bit so the mom in law hooked me up.

12-29-2006, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
BilboTC2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey USA	With 6 humidors and over 300 cigars aging at any given time let me weigh in. Spanish cedar is the best for humidifying containers because it keeps out weevils and bugs (ask and oldtimer about a cedar chest/closet) and has a natural fungicide in it that helps deter mold and mildew. Now I said deter, if you soak the bejeebers out of the humidor then it will all get mushy on you. 70% humidity is only good with 70 degree Farenheit to match. When a cigar is rolled...young they use several types of leaves, filler, wrapper. The wrapper is usually only a single leaf wrapped around the long filler...several leaves rolled together and then wrapped. An aged cigar is one allowed to hang out long enough and have the oils in the wrapper and filler move back and forth so it mellows (hence my 6 boxes and 300 cigars, I'll smoke no cigar before it's time). Also as it ages the leaves decompose slightly and give off a little ammonia, so every once in a while open the the humidor and let some air out. 5 minutes every other week would be good. Cigars hate the cold so storing them in the fridge is killer..it dehydrates the daylights out you precious puros. The 50/50 mix of Pro.Gly/distilled water is perfect as it's a give and take blend. And get a hygrometer the cheapest works as well as the $200 electronic one, as long as you refer to it...very few reach out and tell you to add fluid. Last but not least...the salt trick works. Done with my rant! __________________ The older I get the more I realize that common sense isn't all that common.

01-03-2007, 12:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Moose Kicking Cancer's Ass Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Sticks, SC	DSA, once you get over there, please post up your address (if possible). I would be more than happy to send over a care package, __________________ Beating the crap out of cancer. Proud Recipient of Project M - Thanks MCB!!!

12-29-2006, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Painthappy I Am The Admin Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Boston, NH	You don't need spanish cedar lining.... Heck as long as you have a nice seal, you are good to go. The wood DOES help absorb moisture and does keep the air regulated, but not completely needed. The Glycol/Water mixture should keep it humid enough. Did it also come with a hygrometer? If you want to really get nutty you can test the hydrometer to make sure it is accurate with a "salt" test. info on Salt Test http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchan...owto_calibrate Though I've never presonally done it, but I've been told it works. If you plan on keeping them for an extended time, some type of hygrometer should be needed. Just to make sure you're staying around the 70% mark. But otherwise, just give them a slight squeeze. You'll know if the cigars are getting too dry. Oh, and don't be afraid.... If the humidity level is staying low because the humdifyer can't keep up. Fill up a shot glass with water, and put it in the box. I actually do this most of the time, and it works great for me. Now you on the other hand will have a better seal then my box so don't keep it in there all the time. The other part about humidity is to not OVER humidify. These humidifiers are designed to both release and absorb moisture. Reminds me... Time to have a cigar... Haven't had one in about 10 months now, and I miss em!

12-29-2006, 12:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
DSA REDUX Freak w/ PTSD Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lubbock TX	Thanks for the info C.

12-29-2006, 01:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
craltal MCB Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Valrico, FL	The spanish Cedar is supposed to help with the aging of cigars. It's not necessary at all for plain storage/ transport.

01-02-2007, 05:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
paint magnet Rec Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Carolina	The thing you have to be especially careful about with humidors like that (i.e., airtight with o-ring seals and the like) is over-humidifying. Humidors made of wood breathe better and Spanish cedar lends a very nice flavor to cigars over time; it also keeps out bugs as has already been mentioned. With the humidor you have, you should add water or 50/50 mix in very small amounts. The container is air-tight, which is good for transportation, but it does not allow any moisture out unless you open the lid. If you get the relative humidity too high, your cigars will begin to grow mold. What you want is a relative humidity inside the box of 64-72 percent and a stable temperature around that range as well. Most abide by the 70/70 rule (70 % humidity, 70 degrees F), but if either number is slightly off it won't make much difference. Some prefer their cigars a little dryer and keep them toward the lower end of the spectrum, others prefer a more moist smoke. It's all preference, just make sure you don't dry them out or cause them to grow mold. Some things to watch out for: -Don't leave it sitting in the sun, the box will heat up very quickly on the inside. -Don't add water too fast to your hygrometer. Cigars won't dry out instantly if your humidor is at 60%. Bring them back up to humidity slowly; intoducing too much moisture too fast will cause them to swell and the wrappers will split. -Cheap hygrometers can be had for under $20. This will tell you what percentage humidity is in your humidor. Make sure to do the salt calibration test listed above to make sure it's accurate. -For travel purposes, you can fill your humidor to its full capacity. For long term storage, you only want to put about 3/4 the cigars that it will hold in it. If you have too few or too many the humidity is hard to regulate. -Open the box every now and then (once a week or so) to let out the "stale" air produced by the aging cigars. This will also allow you to check your humidity. If aged properly, cigars will develop a thin whitish powder/film on the wrapper. This is not mold, it is actually the oils from the leaves within moving to the outside of the cigar and shows that it has been properly rolled and aged. Just wipe it off with your finger or a cloth and enjoy, this is when the cigar is in its prime. Good luck and happy smoking!

01-03-2007, 12:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
DSA REDUX Freak w/ PTSD Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lubbock TX	Great info I hope to be lucky enough to visit a market and get a real humidor with some real cubans (stoogies not people). That is if there are no IEDs going off. I may be stuck with this humidor the entire year I guess it could be worse. I had a cuban once and hated it but for those of you on this thread I will send a box of them for your next castle conquest if I can get to a market. Just remember to toast slowcode, myself and any other MCB'ers in the sandbox.