What temperature is TOO high?

[Freddy]

Another noob question from me.

The RH in my desktop humidor is fine (a steady 65%) regulated with beads; however the temperature reads 75%. I know this is accurate because I have two high-end digital hygrometers in the humidor both with identical readings.

I keep the humidor in the coldest, darkest room in my apartment, shades on window: I can't imagine the temperature being over 65% in the room, but nevertheless, the hygro temp reads 75. Naturally I could turn on the air conditioner, BUT...

I'm leaving on a trip for two weeks so I can't leave an air conditioner continuously on for that long a period. Assuming the temperature stays at 75% will that cause a problem, e.g. beetles, etc.?

(Please don't tell me to get a wine cabinet, etc my question relates purely to my desktop humidor).

Thanks for your input,

Freddy

[CIGARHead]

75 degrees is too high. ..I'm uncomfortable at even 70. 62-65 deg and 60-65% rh is my sweet spot. I would at least turn on the a/c to get some air flow.

[Freddy]

75 degrees is too high. ..I'm uncomfortable at even 70. 62-65 deg and 60-65% rh is my sweet spot. I would at least turn on the a/c to get some air flow.

Cigarhead: I'm uncomfortable at 75% too, hence my question. But I also explained why I can't leave the AC on for two weeks while I'm away.

So, I repeat: what's the worse that can happen, assuming the temp stays at 75%?

[CIGARHead]

Cigarhead: I'm uncomfortable at 75% too, hence my question. But I also explained why I can't leave the AC on for two weeks while I'm away.

So, I repeat: what's the worse that can happen, assuming the temp stays at 75%?

well, the worst that could happen would be a beetle outbreak. It's a total gamble. If it's a desktop humi why not take it to a friend or relatives house that will have ac running?

[FireDigger]

well, the worst that could happen would be a beetle outbreak. It's a total gamble. If it's a desktop humi why not take it to a friend or relatives house that will have ac running?

Two weeks will not likely lead to a beetle outbreak. I use to have a coolidor that was around 75-80 degrees for a few months without any problems. However, I might have just been lucky.

[CIGARHead]

Two weeks will not likely lead to a beetle outbreak. I use to have a coolidor that was around 75-80 degrees for a few months without any problems. However, I might have just been lucky.

Again, it a gamble. I've got a cooled Aristocrat that stays between 62-65 deg and found a few Juan Lopez Sel. No 2 with beetles. In my opinion, if the cigars are worth your worrying, it's best they are kept cooler.

[mkz]

Personally I freeze all my cigars upon arrival.

Therefore I have no fears in the summer when the temp in my humidors lies around 23-25 centigrade (73-77 fahrenheit).

[Guest rob]

I have a number of humidors. The humidors which I age my cigars in stays at about 60 degrees.

But my desktop, which contains smokes which I will smoke in the next few months can fluctaute up to 80 degrees in summer. I've really learnt to not worry about it. I've been doing it this way for over 10 years and never had a problem.

[Colt45]

Freddy, you could put your desktop in a cooler while you are away. If the cooler insulation is not enough to bring down the temp to your liking,

you could consider a gel freeze pack or two (in the cooler, separated from the desktop). The insulated cooler might also give a little peace of

mind with regards to humidity while you are away.

[Freddy]

Thanks for your replies and advice, guys.

I've decided to adopt Rob's attitude and "learn not to worry about it."

[Kangaroo495]

That's the way mate. Put it this way - there are millions of cigar smokers in the world. While a lot of these smokers probably have a humidor, only a tiny fraction have a specialised cooling system. These people have been smoking cigars without a cooling system for decades.

I hardly ever turn on my wine fridge. Temp is usually around 72F. Don't worry about it.

[FireDigger]

If the cooler insulation is not enough to bring down the temp to your liking, you could consider a gel freeze pack or two (in the cooler, separated from the desktop).

From personal experience, I would NOT do that (again)! I tried that once with a gel freeze pack that actually had a puncture in it. I couldn't tell when the pack was in a frozen state. I ended up getting a bunch of liquid gel leaking onto my box of HdM Regalos.

[Colt45]

From personal experience, I would NOT do that (again)!

Point well taken - I should have been more clear. When I said separated, I did mean in it's own tupper type container within the cooler.

[samb]

If you have the time before you leave, try to freeze all the smokes in the humi to kill the beetle eggs. This way, a high temp wont make a difference to them.

[Wil]

From personal experience, I would NOT do that (again)! I tried that once with a gel freeze pack that actually had a puncture in it. I couldn't tell when the pack was in a frozen state. I ended up getting a bunch of liquid gel leaking onto my box of HdM Regalos.

I've tried this too, except I put an ice pack inside a plastic bag, tied it up and wrapped it in a tea towel. Put it ontop of my desktop humi inside an esky... Came back an hour or so later to ceck the temp and found the inside of the humi lid wet. Bag was perfectly sealed so must've been condensation. Haven't done it since! Still get high temps every now and then but haven't had any beetle outbreaks so don't worry anymore.

[sepp]

Personally I freeze all my cigars upon arrival.

Ditto. Only I can control what is introduced into my humis and coolers. I cannot control the experience those sticks went through before they arrived at my door including being exposed to other potential sources of beetles. No offense to the Czar House here, but even they cannot control where and how the cases are stored before arrival in Brisbane. If I eliminate any chance of beetle hatches before they go in storage then there is no cross contamination to worry about.

[thechenman]

I never freeze my cigars...I just pretty much take my chances. What will be, will be.

[Ellery]

I never freeze my cigars...I just pretty much take my chances. What will be, will be.

Same here, have around 10 boxes or so from Czar, and never had any problems. During the summer, coolerdor gets in the 80s, still with no problems, but considering a fridgeador

[CIGARHead]

I never freeze my cigars...I just pretty much take my chances. What will be, will be.

I don't think that would be my attitude if I were to lose tens of thousands of dollars to the beetle!

[thechenman]

People do...retailers certainly do. It is just what is.

[CIGARHead]

People do...retailers certainly do. It is just what is.

I read your post wrong. I don't freeze my cigars either, but to keep boxes of cigars - which are not cheap - in a less than ideal environment, you are asking for trouble...I for one don't want to see my significant investment in cigars go by the way of the beetle..this is why I keep them at 62-65 deg.

[thechenman]

My temps vary depending on the time of year from 60 degrees in the winter to as high at 74 degrees in the summer. I agree with trying to provide the best environment for my cigars, but it has to be withing reason and of course economically feasible. While I don't want to see thousands of dollars of Habanos turn to dust, I don't want to worry too much about something that is still failry unlikely to happen.

[NitrousPurger]

ive heard that above 75 degrees and you run the risk of mold as well as beetles.

[MrGlass]

Now that Habanos freeze all the cigars, the beetle problem seems to have been reduced - http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/inde...7&hl=beetle

As for mold, my impression is that this is more a threat when storing at high humidity.

[ZinZan]

I'm having the same problem as Freddy but even worse. Malaysia is hot all year around 82F to 93F everyday. I've bought a normal humi without realising that i need temp controlled humi. I've got my a/c running at night. It does bring it down to 70-72 but only at night. I cant afford for the a/c to be running 24/7/365. Is it that critical for me to have temp controlled humi?