Lately I've had several of my cigars burn more towards the inside of the cigar than burn evenly around the entire cigar. I normally just hit around the edges with my torch lighter and it gets back to burning evenly.
Is this a moisture problem?
My current humidity is about 72% and I'm working on getting it regulated at 68%. I use the el-cheapo black square humidity devices that came with my humidor when I purchased it about 7 years ago. I have two digital hygrometers (a Diamond Crown and a Western Caliber III) and they both read within one point of each other. I only use distilled water. I am thinking about switching to the silica beads. Probably the crystal clear kitty litter beads.
Would anyone suggest scrapping the black square humidity thingies and try something else, or just try to regulate it with the ones I currently have?

Thanks

I recall reading a post that suggested popping open the cheap black humidifier, removing the floral foam, and putting the silica beads in a mesh pouch inside.

I thought that was a good idea to save room inside the box and when i checked the humidifier, it popped open easily with a screwdriver and snapped back together securely...so, I'm gonna take this suggestion...I just ordered my beads from Heartfelt (for some reason, I don't trust the kitty litter stuff...maybe i'm just paranoid, but a couple of extra $$ is nothing compared to what I have aging in the box)

My only concern is the weight on the magnets..but if I have to switch to Velcro, no big deal...

I wish I could take credit for the idea, but I'm not that smart...

good luck...if you come up with an alternate idea, please share it...

jag

The 65% RH beads, in puck form, work well in my desktop:

http://www.cigarmony.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=92&products_id=463

As you suspected, your burn problems are probably due to overhumidification.

quote:

Originally posted by minalpharetta:
The 65% RH beads, in puck form, work well in my desktop:
http://www.cigarmony.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=92&products_id=463
As you suspected, your burn problems are probably due to over humidification.

Thanks for the kind words bro.

Most problems with cigars, such as burn, draw and flavor issues are usually a result of improper humidification.

Too wet = split wrappers, draw and burn problems
Too dry = unraveling wrappers and flavor issues as well as quick burns

Hope this helps
~Mark

I was once told that the larger the ring guage the more burn problems you will have with a cigar. Not sure if that's true or not. I have had problems with larger ring guages but I haven't paid enough attention to it really to come to a conclusion.

Gimpy--I hve never heard that before, but I will say that I have some 62s that are the devil to light and keep lit. I never knew if it was the brand of cigar or the ring size. I've about decided that 60+ is just too big for my mouth anyway.

Well I was in a cigar store once and I had an Indian Tabac Extra Fuerte that I was smoking and having all kinds of burn issues with from it not burning evenly to needing to be relight and I was smoking it about one puff every minute to every two minutes or so. The guy who made the comment worked for the cigar shop I was in at the time. He seemed like he was somewhat knowledgeable. I had never heard this before either. I'd be interested to get others opinions.