Hey everyone, I just bought a new humidor two weeks ago and I find that the RH is fluctuating significantly. Here are the details:

60 Cigar capacity (currently holding 20)
Solid 3/4" Spanish Cedar
Seal is on the lid (i.e. closes and seals downward).
Digital Hygrometer
New Humidifier filled with 50/50 and distilled water.
Humidor was prepped with a wipe of distilled water and let sit for two days with a shot glass filled with distilled water inside; wiped down again and filled.

The problem I am finding is that the hygrometer min/max reads 71% and 87%! It usually sits at 75%. Also, it is calibrated and reads 75% in the water/salt solution. The temperature in the room the humidor is in is about 18-21Celcius.

Any ideas? Is this normal? Any help would be greatly appreciated because I don't have bugs yet, but my sticks are pretty soft.

Thanks,
Bob B

My $.02 is that it takes a week or two to stabilize completly. That is alot of wood to absorb the moisture completly in only two days. I would use a tuperware container with the hygrometer in it for a week or so until the humi settles down.
Also with 50/50 ( I asume that you mean PG solution) you should probably try it straight without diluting it with water. That is what the 50/50 means, 50% water, 50% Propylene glycol
. The more water you add to it, the higher the humidity.
Leave the hygrometer in, pull the humidification elements out and wait for the humidity to drop to what you want,then use only the PG.

Good luck

Get rid of the foam pucks and go with beads - Heartfelt or Litter Pearls.

Your're not using 50/50 now. With the extra water is 75/25.

Stop wiping down the inside. Too much water directly on the wood is not good.

You don't say where in the world you are.

Ambient room temperature and humidity will cause the RH to swing.

A large humidor with few cigars will absorb moisture from your cigars.

Lessen the space inside the humidor with a small cardboard box or more cigars.

As CSMITHNJ said DON'T WIPE DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE HUMIDOR!

Thanks for the replies. I'll take out the humidifier and let it settle down to 70% (I hope), and let you know in a week. Another thing I'm worried about is that my humidor is leaking; I know it's not supposed to be hermetically sealed and must let air flow, but for now I'll take the advice given.

Thanks again

Docbarry, I'm in Toronto, Ontario but moving to Halifax next month where the ambient humidity is usually 90%+. Any tips for the move?

quote:

Originally posted by Bob B:
Thanks for the replies. I'll take out the humidifier and let it settle down to 70% (I hope), and let you know in a week. Another thing I'm worried about is that my humidor is leaking; I know it's not supposed to be hermetically sealed and must let air flow, but for now I'll take the advice given.

Thanks again

Docbarry, I'm in Toronto, Ontario but moving to Halifax next month where the ambient humidity is usually 90%+. Any tips for the move?

When I lived in the Philippines we had "hot/dry closets". Just a closet with a small fan, and a small (low wattage) light blub, left on 24/7. It might work OK for you, in Halifax, or you could try a de-humidifier.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rick B,