Possible Options for Dry Boxing in Humid Houston Environment

[PigFish]

23 hours ago, Philc2001 said:

Yes, I just read that, so I stand corrected. But I still don't know anyone who uses them to dry their cigars.

The hysteresis of the Bovida pack is nothing to write home about. Before one is going to depend on one of these to suck water out of their cigar over a short term, I would suggest another method. MHO... Better to bake a desiccant and keep it dry and handy for such events. Even a mass of kitty chips would probably create a larger rH delta and that is what you need.

Furthermore, from memory I recall only one of these packs that represents a true aqueous salt solution. As such, they have largely killed the stability of supported rH that has been empirically proven from a long history of tested salts. As many of these are blends of elements, they have once more entered into the fray of 'regular' hygroscopic materials over that of true aqueous salts.

No, I have not tested them, nor will I. I am simply applying what I know of hygroscopic materials and aqueous salts. Once you step away from the pure salt, you venture away from what a pure salt solution does. Pure aqueous salt solutions are empirically proven. I have yet to see a span of various isotherms to prove the performance of these packs. I challenge the company to make the tests and prove the claims. My guess is that I won't be seeing the proof anytime soon!

If I go back to the OP for a moment, consider a what you know about your existing ambient and try a 'hot box.' If you are running say less than 50rH with the ac on at home, heat a container with something as simple as an incandescent bulb and drive the rH lower and the water energy higher. This will 'loosen' all the bonded water in the cigar and not just what is readily touched by outside air.

Good luck on your problem!

-Piggy

[Notsocleaver]

23 hours ago, rtrimbath said:

If you go on Boveda's website, they sell packs at lower humidity ranges. They have s 49% pack that could help with the naturally high rh% in Houston.


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I use a 49% to dry box since daytime humidity here is around 70%. One pack pretty much lasts forever.

[WoadyCypress]

The hysteresis of the Bovida pack is nothing to write home about. Before one is going to depend on one of these to suck water out of their cigar over a short term, I would suggest another method. MHO... Better to bake a desiccant and keep it dry and handy for such events. Even a mass of kitty chips would probably create a larger rH delta and that is what you need.

Furthermore, from memory I recall only one of these packs that represents a true aqueous salt solution. As such, they have largely killed the stability of supported rH that has been empirically proven from a long history of tested salts. As many of these are blends of elements, they have once more entered into the fray of 'regular' hygroscopic materials over that of true aqueous salts.

No, I have not tested them, nor will I. I am simply applying what I know of hygroscopic materials and aqueous salts. Once you step away from the pure salt, you venture away from what a pure salt solution does. Pure aqueous salt solutions are empirically proven. I have yet to see a span of various isotherms to prove the performance of these packs. I challenge the company to make the tests and prove the claims. My guess is that I won't be seeing the proof anytime soon!

If I go back to the OP for a moment, consider a what you know about your existing ambient and try a 'hot box.' If you are running say less than 50rH with the ac on at home, heat a container with something as simple as an incandescent bulb and drive the rH lower and the water energy higher. This will 'loosen' all the bonded water in the cigar and not just what is readily touched by outside air.

Good luck on your problem!

-Piggy

I have only had one problematic smoke and that was a Monte PE ROTT. It had been raining for a few days, so it was obviously shipped during a higher than normal RH event. The stick tunnelled the whole time and made smoking it a chore, at best.

Now this "hot box" method you spoke of seems interesting. May need to try and figure out a way to achieve this, without my wife wondering what the hell I'm doing.

I guess I don't have a problem. I just want to experiment with my smoking process to see if I'm missing anything, and to ensure the best experience possible.

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[CooGAR]

Another Houstonian here.  I would try and make any gatherings that didn't interfere with UH Football activities.....

I see that WoadyCypress figured out a dry box in Houston is just an empty box.    Been doing it that way for close to 20 years....

 

 

[WoadyCypress]

I'm definitely down for a herf as long as it doesn't interfere with Texans FB.

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[Dozerhead]

Me too!

[SignalJoe]

@Dozerhead, @WoadyCypress, @CooGAR

 

Gentlemen I know this is really short notice but it just so happens we are planning on getting together Friday evening (8/11)  for an impromptu herf.  @BEVOSREVENGE, @rxavier1979, a friend of his and myself will be meeting at Roegels BBQ (2223 S Voss Rd, Houston, TX 77057)  at 1730 CDT for dinner and moving down the road to Stogies for an after dinner smoke.  

If any of you are available please feel free to join us.  If you happen to read this at work and don't have any sticks with you just show up anyways we will have plenty of extras to share.  I am dropping off a few boxes from a group buy three of us went in on as well as the extras we usually gift to each other.   Just beware you will have to purchase a throw away NC to be allowed to smoke in the lounge.    

If you can't make it this go round we are planning on putting together a Houston area herf towards the end of next month once we get a feel for the venue.  Also open to suggestions for alternate venues if anyone knows of any.  Maybe one where adult beverages are allowed?   

I have also been working on a list of Houston area members so I could notify them by name of the big herf.  I have included their names below if I missed anyone please feel free to let me know so I can notify them/you when we get the herf scheduled. 

@boopdeep, @scap99, @Scardinoz, @david8017, @mdinius @jsavoie88

I will start a thread in the Watering hole forum and tag everyone I am aware of when we set the date.  Again you are all welcome to join us tonight if you're available.  

 

[scap99]

Oh man, that sounds awesome!

Wish I could make it tonight.

[CooGAR]

Thanks for the invite and the heads up about tonight's gathering @SignalJoe.  Unfortunately, the wife has made family plans for us tonight and I can't make it.  One day soon tho...

[WoadyCypress]

Wish I could make it but I'm on my way to Wimberley for my bday weekend with the family! Thanks for the invite guys. We will need to set up another one soon.

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[Dozerhead]

I am definitely down for a gathering in the future. I just couldn't make it happen this weekend.