Correct RH

[ZinZan]

I know this question has been asked a gazillion times the only reason ask is i've just received new shipment from czar and there is marked differences to my own stock. I've been keeping my humidor at 65 to 67 as recommended, comparing my sticks and to the newly arrived ones. Mine is hard and whilst the czar's soft and supple.

[adic88]

Hard??

were they hard when they first arrived, do you remember?

there are variations with cuban cigars, some are really packed with tobacco, some may be underfilled, this leading to them feeling very soft.

try weighing them in your hand, especially if you have the same brand and vitola. you'll even notice that some feel heavier and some lighter.

[ZinZan]

Hard??

were they hard when they first arrived, do you remember?

there are variations with cuban cigars, some are really packed with tobacco, some may be underfilled, this leading to them feeling very soft.

try weighing them in your hand, especially if you have the same brand and vitola. you'll even notice that some feel heavier and some lighter.

Ohhhh gosh, I cant remember. I'll give the weighing a shot. I've got PSD4 which i bought locally and also from czar. I just feel mebe mine is a bit dry but smoking ok though.

[El Presidente]

We keep our stock at 63-65% RH which is where I like them to be.

Pick up some 65% beads from www.cigarmony.com and your mind will be at ease. They work a treat.

[adic88]

OR, try this. Cheaper and easily available in Malaysia.

Full write up on my blog: http://mycigarblog.org/blog/?p=1446

[El Presidente]

OR, try this. Cheaper and easily available in Malaysia.

Full write up on my blog: http://mycigarblog.org/blog/?p=1446

Mark from Cigarmony.com is a good mate and member of the forum. Spend the extra few bucks.

[CanuckSARTech]

Mark from Cigarmony.com is a good mate and member of the forum. Spend the extra few bucks.

LOL. Just did again. Just completed another order with Mark, for 65% RH beads along with a new lighter and some other stuff. I've used his stuff in the past, ordering through a friend.

Shopping from Mark to get this stuff, the RH Beads, stuff that's specifically designed and made for using in cigar humidification, is just a much, MUCH better idea than using (no offense intended to others) stuff like kitty litter and other random plant beads and stuff like that. I get and understand how they are all generally the same principle and materials. But for the RH Beads (and I'm sure the Heartfelt beads as well), it's just better to use stuff that's specific for cigars and especially for a set and specific humidity level, rather than other stuff which could have unknown other chemicals or VOC's with them. I'd only personally use the RH Beads, Madelaine stuff, or the Cigar Oasis stuff, all with pure distilled water.

NOTE - In my experience, the PG solution is only good for initially "charging" a new sponge humidification device (the ones with the green/black florist's foam) - the PG just helps the evaporative rate of the distilled water; after the initial use, you're supposed to use only straight distilled water. I don't know where this constant use of PG solution has come in, and especially when using the crystal stuff - I think it's just a sales/marketing ploy by the manufacturers to sell more PG solution to unknowledgable cigar newbies. PG itself doesn't evaporate really - it just condenses and builds up on the crystals. If you don't believe me, try using a crystal humidifier for a year or more, only refilling it with PG solution - soon enough, especially if you have a lid-mounted humidifier, the PG will build up enough so you have a clear, oozing mass that drips out onto your cigars. Trust me - it happened to me before I realized what was going on. PG solution is only as an initial fill, and maybe only once yearly after that, for standard-foam passive humidifiers, and definitely not with any crystals or beads. I now use straight distilled water for everything, especially with the beads and Cigar Oasis machines - there's a huge difference with the taste and freshness of my cigars, without any chemicals in the air from the PG. My side note on PG solution.

But heey, kudos to those of you who have good results with the crystal kitty litter and other stuff like that. But to me, I can't, and don't want to, risk the chance of maybe other unknown chemicals or contaminents being in there - I remember seeing a number of posts from those who have used random stuff, and have had strange smells and flavours, humidity issues, etc. It's not just necessarily the materials being used, but you also have to consider their manufacturing facilities and other chemicals being around, cross-contaminating maybe. Straight distilled water, and with stuff that's designed and meant specifically for cigars - period.

RH and Heartfelt beads are decently cheap enough as it is. Gawd, these things are protecting and humidifying thousands upon thousands of dollars' worth of cigars in any particular humidor. Isn't it worth spending a few extra dollars to ensure you're not going to have problems down the road??

[ZinZan]

Thanks Prez, Aiz and Cannuck, appreciate your help. I'm contemplating on the heartfelt beads.

Aiz, you've been asking me to get the wine fridge but im not ready for that step up yet. Next year maybe but at this point ive got other commitments/hobbies which i want to do 1st. At this point of time i just want to sample as many different cigars as possible.

[adic88]

Thanks Prez, Aiz and Cannuck, appreciate your help. I'm contemplating on the heartfelt beads.

Aiz, you've been asking me to get the wine fridge but im not ready for that step up yet. Next year maybe but at this point ive got other commitments/hobbies which i want to do 1st. At this point of time i just want to sample as many different cigars as possible.

Without temperature control, just be careful with the cigars then; might be a good idea to freeze any new arrivals to take care of beetles just in case. Even if you keep your cigars in a 24/7 air conditioned room, temperature fluctuations can be pretty drastic, especially for us here in Malaysia. I've learned this the hard way.

As others have said here, spending a bit of money to protect a cache of cigars worth a lot of money seems like a no-brainer.

[dicko]

Thanks Prez, Aiz and Cannuck, appreciate your help. I'm contemplating on the heartfelt beads.

Aiz, you've been asking me to get the wine fridge but im not ready for that step up yet. Next year maybe but at this point ive got other commitments/hobbies which i want to do 1st. At this point of time i just want to sample as many different cigars as possible.

I'm in a similar position. lack of income right now is stopping me getting a wine fridge. my wooden desktop just doesn't do the job though, lots of fluctuation in there. another small plastic tupperware humidor does the job a bit better. keeping out the temp is the major problem i think lol

[ZinZan]

Yeah Dicko, I've got a similar set up like you. I got a wooden humi for my CCs and tupperware for NCs. Both are bursting right now. Buying the wine fridge is only 1 part of the conundrum after that u gotta fill up. That cost a lot of money! I'm glad czar does the samplers, gives me the chance to taste various cigars.

[adic88]

hahah... zin, trust me it aint hard to fill up a chiller.

i thought my 21 bottle pacifica was big... but it filled to the brim in less than 2 weeks lol!

once you have a chiller, it'll really contribute to your peace of mind... you won't be checking on your cigars every time you can, worried about what's going on in there.