Humidor Troubleshooting
Problems with your new humidifying device?
Check the following...
Is this a new humidor? Perhaps the wood hasn't stabilized. It will take up to 3 or 4 weeks for new, dry wood to absorb enough moisture to be able to keep the interior humidity up at 70%. Be patient and remember that you must fill your humi-brick a number of times in the first month to saturate the wood properly.
Was the humi-brick already "charged" with a propylene glycol solution? It is good to use a solution initially and then periodically throughout the year. Too much PG will draw moisture out of the environment, resulting in low humidity. Too little will be unable to remove moisture and you'll have soggy stogies!
Does your humidor seal well? Perhaps a bad seal is exchanging too much air with the outside. If your humidor is brand new allow some time for the wood to swell as it begins to retain humidity.
Is your hygrometer calibrated? Analog hygrometers (dial type) are often out by up to 20%! Your actual humidity might be fine. Use the simple calibration procedure found in the Hygrometer section of our website.
Humi-bricks should get very heavy as they soaks up water. If you find that the water runs right through then it's time for a new one altogether. You should replace your unit every 12 - 18 months.
Over humidification
No point splitting hairs over relative humidity. As long as your cigars feel and smoke fine then no matter what the reading on your hygrometer, keep doing what you're doing. One thing though - keep an eye on it. If it continues to climb, then there may be a situation to deal with...
As a humi-brick is repeatedly replenished with water, often a little PG (the regulating chemical) is flushed out by slight overfilling. Eventually, you end up with more H2O than PG, and your humidity starts to climb. This indicates that it's time to re-charge the Credo with fresh PG (frankly, the newer Credos seem to be being shipped with less and less PG pre-charge in them, so this'll come up soon with most new units).
Under humidification
Check the lid. Is it a tight seal? looking along the "crack", can you see daylight through it? In dry weather, this small crack can result in enough moisture loss to limit the humidity...
If you've checked the accuracy of your digital hygrometer, checked your lid and replaced your humi-brick, the problem's almost gotta be in the way the exterior wood is finished and sealed. You see, the moisture must be going somewhere.... Moisture will readily seep right through the wood of a poorly sealed humidor - especially in the dry season. Be sure the bottom is properly finished (and sealed)!!! This is a common oversight of home-finished boxes. You can check if poorly sealed wood is your problem simply enough. Put the whole system into a tightly sealed plastic bag (with wet humi-brick and hygrometer inside), and let it sit for 3 days. Did the humidity come up? If so, you'll have to seal the exterior of your box better.
If my hygrometer reads 68% (assuming accurate) is this environment ok for cigars? What if it was 65% or 75%? Well 68 is ok generally. At 65 you'll find your wrappers starting to dry out (very delicate and easy to crack). 75 can be alright too, although your cigars might smoke a little tighter... It really just depends on how you like your cigars.
