climate problems...

[devildoge9]

Looking for some advice on my struggle with high RH levels.  I have 4 humidors and a tupperware style container.

Humidor #1, the wineador converted is filled with all CC's save for a couple dozen Padron in the drawer.  All of the boxes of CC's shown in the pic were purchased over the last 2 months (thanks Rob!).  Before my shopping spree this humidor was about 40% filled, with NC and kept the rh level around 70% using boveda packs.  Room temperature is typically high 60's f around 20 c.

I also have a temp storage solution while waiting for a foot locker, the pic of the storage bag.  The other pics are the NC in 2 humis and the plastic container.  All 3 of the NC storage are steady in the 68% RH range so no problems there.

My problem is that in #1, the wineador, and the storage bag are staying in the low to mid 70's % RH.  I fear this is too high and could make for some soggy smokes... I removed all the boveda packs and left them sealed without any source for humidity for several days and to my surprise, the RH is still over 70%, between 72-75%.  The room itself is registering less than 60% usually mid 50'S RH and 20 c temp.  Is it his normal?  I have calibrated the hygrometers to be sure readings are accurate...

Thoughts anyone?  I'm going to smoke up one of those fake Behike's and ponder some more while watching the ball game, Sox playing in Detroit...

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Edited April 7, 2017 by devildoge9

[garbandz]

how long would you expect it to take for that many cigars to lose moisture.?

be patient,none of this happens quickly.

 

[devildoge9]

hmmm, interesting response.  I have no clue, most of them very recently completed the long journey from down under, so I wouldn't expect the moisture level to be high, rather, I would expect to be needing to increase the moisture...   

[Philc2001]

Leave the humidors or containers slightly ajar to let the moisture escape, and check on it daily. When it gets slightly below your target you can seal them up again and let it stabilize. Then slowly add RH sources to bring it back to your target.


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[mwaller]

Most CCs I order, regardless of source, seem over-humidified. Per the advice above, leave the humidor open for while, then check back.  Before I started using the 62% Boveda packs, I once had to use some silica desiccant packs to draw out excess moisture.  

[Dougthesnail]

I'm with Philc2001 on this one. Leave it open enough so air can enter and escape, until your ideal humidity is reached.

[stogieluver]

When I started lowering my cabinet humi rH from 65% to 60%, it took about 3 months.  This process was going on during the winter, which means lower than the normal ambient humidity in my man cave, because our winters here in the Gulf South are usually mild and my A/C doesn't run very much.  The ambient rH, which usually runs around 55% in the summer in my centrally cooled/heated house (90% + outside my house), sometimes can run around 40% during the winter.  So, to help the process along, I left my cabinet doors open for a few hours at a time once or twice a week.  When it eventually stabilized down at 60%, I stopped the process. 

If you're trying to bring rh down from low 70's to mid to low 60's, it could be a long process, and should be.  I would take out all the boveda's and other humidification sources, leave the doors and/or lids open (as long as your ambient rh continues to hover between 55-60%) for two or three days, close the humi's up for a couple of days and check your rH.  Keep doing that until it comes down to the low to mid 60's (I prefer low 60's).  Keep in mind that all those boxes themselves attract and retain moisture, so you're not only trying to remove moisture from the sticks, but also from the boxes.  

All of this is said assuming your hygrometers are accurate and you have confidence in their readings.  And I give full credit for all of this to @PigFish, who may say this is the dumbest thing he's ever read about cigar climatology, and I don't know shit.   In that case, please disregard everything I've said.   

[devildoge9]

  Makes sense Stogie... I've had them cracked for a day or so now, without any boveda or other added sources. I am a bit surprised at the level of moisture all of these boxes have retained... I shall exercise patience... thanks for taking the time to share thoughts all...   

[TBird55]

Have issues with high humidity,  here on the Alabama gulf coast, with  my aristocrat M+ THC. During the spring, summer,  and fall i remove all  my humidifiers, and  the humidity will stay around 65. Would like it a bit lower, but with the high humidity on the coast here,  it's the best I can do.  House is air conditioned,  keep the temp of house 70f, temperature of humidor 67f.