Thoughts on my Humi situation
0 That Guy 0
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 188
in Cigar 101
It's not necessarily a bad thing from what I can tell but may become problematic if/when I go out of town.
It's obvious to me that my seal is good not great. I say this because I am using Heartfelt Beads and I am able to maintain a solid RH for about 2 days and then the RH will start to drop at a rate of 1% per day thereafter. The RH in my house is down in the high 40% to low 50% range. Because of this I have been charging my 65% beads to 100%. My RH will climb to and rest at 69% for 2 days before it starts dropping a % a day. So long story short - in a 7 day period I go from 69% on Sunday to 64% by Saturday.
I like this because it says to me that my seal is not perfect and I am getting some airflow within the humidor and not leaving stagnant air sitting. I am also able to maintain my RH for a week but at the same time I am having to recharge my beads once a week to 100% to maintain the proper RH.
It's obvious to me that my seal is good not great. I say this because I am using Heartfelt Beads and I am able to maintain a solid RH for about 2 days and then the RH will start to drop at a rate of 1% per day thereafter. The RH in my house is down in the high 40% to low 50% range. Because of this I have been charging my 65% beads to 100%. My RH will climb to and rest at 69% for 2 days before it starts dropping a % a day. So long story short - in a 7 day period I go from 69% on Sunday to 64% by Saturday.
I like this because it says to me that my seal is not perfect and I am getting some airflow within the humidor and not leaving stagnant air sitting. I am also able to maintain my RH for a week but at the same time I am having to recharge my beads once a week to 100% to maintain the proper RH.
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Majority says I rushed seasoning so a reseasoning is what I am currently doing. I pulled all my smokes out and placed them in zip lock bags with humi pillows. I then decided to go with a light wipe with distilled water and placed a bowl with the same in the bottom of my desktop. The humidity is already at 80% and I did it just 10 mins ago. Is the wipe plus a bowl overkill or is this still a good common way to get my humi good and seasoned? I never did the wipe before and I know it's been discussed heavily on here about whether or not to do it but I decided to go ahead and give it a shot.
I'll let it sit for a good 24-48 hours if not all the way through the weekend to make sure I do it right this time around and then I'll throw my beads back in after that.
Ok I just did the dollar test and the seal is definitely weak! The dollar bill slid out with ease on almost every part of my humi which certainly has me a little pissed off. I feel like a newb all over again. I guess I'll have to head over to lows tomorrow and get some weather stripping. Has anyone ever used any weather stripping as a seal? If so what kind? Thanks
As far as the Oregon Scientific Hygro, I'm not sure where I got it but found one on Amazon. Some of the ratings are ridiculously petty. I have had mine in outside conditions for 3 years and have never had a hiccup with it. I'd highly suggest it to anyone who would like to be able to record highs and lows as well as have a separate display in another room away from your humi.
Link:http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Scientific-RMR603HGA-Thermo-Hygrometer-Clock/dp/B0006VBBCO
I have since reseasoned it and touched up on the seals. I wiped down the wood with a damp sponge and set a bowl of distilled water inside for over 36 hours. The RH climbed to 90% before settling at 78%. I then wiped down a second time when fixing the seals and closed it up for another 6 hours.
I can already tell a huge difference in my humidor. I have taken the water out and replaced it with 65% beads. I have only charged them to about 50% so they can soak up the excess humidity and my humidor is currently at 72%. It is empty and I will leave it the way it is over night and see where it goes tomorrow by the morning.
My seal is something I may need to address again as I'm not sure there's much air flowing in and out of the humi. My seal still doesn't pass the dollar bill test but I can tell it's much tighter because I have to push down on the lid to shut it and have to hold the base of the humi when opening it. I may also look into the little oust fan as well.