Question for FOH vets re Boveda 65% vs 62% packs

[GoodStix]

Haven’t as much experience with Boveda packs as many of you vets.  Hoping you can help please…

Trying to achieve 65% RH at 64F.  CC boxes/cabs are kept inside silicone-gasket containers.  Containers then placed inside wine coolers.  Using ample 65% Boveda packs inside containers.  Also using calibrated hygrometers.

Achieving 64F is no problem.  Done.  The problem is RH.

At room temp 70F, the 65% packs result in 65% RH inside the containers.  However, after placing the containers inside the wine coolers, at 64F the result inside the containers is 67-68% RH.

I appreciate RH is impacted by temperature.

So I’m guessing 65% packs are intended by Boveda to produce 65% at normal room temps (say in a desktop humidor).

I’m also guessing that in tupperdores cooled to 64F (like I’m doing) I’ll need to switch to 62% packs to produce approx. 65% RH.

I can trial and error it.  Or better yet, ask you who know...  Switch to 62% packs?

Thanks in advance.

[NapaNolan]

I'm exactly the opposite. I'm using 69s and my RH chugs along at 65. I'm using a plastic, hard sealing, water-tight box. I keep about the same temperature, ranging from 60-67 over a day.

 

I switched from 62s (never saw 65s on offer) as they started giving me 57-59 when I moved house.

[Pharmacovigilant]

This sounds like a question for @PigFish

[JohnInCleveland]

Just now, Pharmacovigilant said:

This sounds like a question for @PigFish

I’m not so sure, he’s so smart about this stuff I can barely even understand his answers with my feeble brain.  

[MrBirdman]

53 minutes ago, GoodStix said:

At room temp 70F, the 65% packs result in 65% RH inside the containers.  However, after placing the containers inside the wine coolers, at 64F the result inside the containers is 67-68% RH.

Pretty similar to my experience as I also store at 64-65F and my humidors are usually at 66-68%. I do use the 62% for some storage - they usually sit around 63-64%.  Bottom line though is that what matters is the moisture content of the cigar. I could try to explain but hopefully Piggy will drop by and do a much better job!

[Deezwho]

Also worth pointing out that the RH in your wineador likely varies from top to bottom.  I have mine at 64F with Boveda 65% packs and it averages 68% on the top shelf and 62% on the bottom shelf. 
 

[Chas.Alpha]

Sooouie!!! Here 🐖🐖 @PigFish

[GoodStix]

If I'm not mistaken, @PigFish has gone the big cajones 70F and 60% RH path -- but built the modified equipment to pull it off right.  Good on ya Ray 🙂

I'm just giving the passive Boveda packs a try, and stayin' in the more moderate 64F and 65% range.  Just wondering how to get to 65% using Boveda (sealed containers) at 64 temp.

And thanks guys, I appreciate any info 👍

[TheCigarslayer]

I track my wine coolers and tupperware with calibrated wifi data loggers. Im not TOO neurotic about storage conditions sticking to some magical number but mostly they are consistent AND those conditions match a pleasurable smoking experience. I have about ~4-6 years running the same setup with extremely consistent results. With a temp of 68-71F the rh will fluxuate with (tons) of 65% bovedas; about 62-67rh. Realistically...small swings as long as they stay over 59 and below 68 are all stellar. The biggest factor to me has been consistent rh/temp within a handful of degrees over a period of time. Wild fluctuations such as when I had to move, or leaving the doors/lids off for over an hour or 3 can impact the smoke. 

 

Cigars at least in my experience are pretty sturdy things, and I've noticed some people can prefer "drier or wetter" cigars. So far my cigars dont really know a lick of difference between 65-67rh as long as its been there for a long time.   

[Bijan]

I use 65% boveda. But I store at lower temps and mainly in coolers. I've found with storage in Tupperware at higher temps 65% boveda creeps up too high.

[RDB]

If your temperature is stable, then the simplest thing to do is adjust the packs until you hit your preferred RH. So if Boveda 65s result in your RH being a few degrees high, just switch to 62s.

My own set up uses Boveda 65s to produce 62RH at about 62F in big clip-top airtight tupperware boxes. These are stored in a cool and dark underground area. Everything smokes great to my palate right out of the gate, so happy days.

[Mhansen85]

i use 62% packs in tupperdors and have usually around 64-66 % RH at 68-69F. Seems to work

[Tstew75]

69s hold 65 perfectly for me in Tuperdors. 

I'd think it has to do with your ambient RH & temp, which obviously varies widely amongst all the collections/opinions in this thread.

[MrBirdman]

51 minutes ago, Tstew75 said:

69s hold 65 perfectly for me in Tuperdors. 

I'd think it has to do with your ambient RH & temp, which obviously varies widely amongst all the collections/opinions in this thread.

Absolutely, along with how well sealed your Tuperdors are. 

[Juliano88]

I store at 65-66 for oil preservation but I dry box at 60 for 2-3 days before I light a Cuban. I smoke my Nc’s right out of the cooler at 65.