Humidor Hudmidity Solutions

[shavious]

Well, it finally happened. My humidor that has been sitting at a high humidity has finally cost me a few cigars (and some very, very tasty ones that were gifted to me from my father-in-law at that!). Rather than regulating the moisture, it seems my current humidifying setup is just letting it go wild and a couple of unwrapped cigars have started to show signs of mold on the wrapper.

What do you guys recommend for keeping the humidity of a 100 ct humidor regulated? I'd prefer something I can order online fairly easily (and a link if its the exact thing you use). I'd also prefer not to use kitty litter.

 

[Commander Quan]

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=14
or
http://www.cigarmony.com/humiditybeadsystem.aspx

If the mold is only a few spots on the wrapper you can just brush it off and smoke them. If they are all fussy or the mold is into the foot it's probably better to toss them.

 

[Boro62]

+1 on the heartfelt beads

 

[GA Gator]

The humidity in GA is not so high now that you can't open the humidor and let some dry air in regularly till you get something more reliable.

I use Xikar without any problems.

The function of your humidor will be governed by both your size and the amount of cigars in the box. A 100 count box needs 30 - 40 cigars to function properly IMHO.

 

[shavious]

It's sitting at about 30-35 sticks right now. I agree it could use some more to help it out.

I'll probably spring for the Heartfelt beads and see if I can add a few more cigars to keep it full. Thanks for the tips!

 

[73mountaineer]

Beads, beads, beads...and just in case you missed it, beads. Two-way humidification is your friend.

In the meantime, as Derrick said, DO NOT throw those sticks out unless the mold has made it past the wrapper. It is very likely that it is only on the surface if you found it quickly, but you also need to immediately quarantine those sticks. Get 'em out of your humidor, if you haven't already.

 

[shavious]

If I put the molded ones in a sealed ziplock bag in the humidor, is that sufficient for quarantine?

 

[bilkay]

In addition to the beads, use a plastic cooler (like an Igloo) instead of a humidor.

 

[73mountaineer]

I'd take them completely out, but that's just me. Mold can spread not only to your other sticks, but to your humidor itself. Once you clean the infected cigars up, they should be fine, but you will want to keep a close eye on things for a while after you put them back in.

 

[Paul L.]

Another vote for the Heartfelt beads. I use the 65%. All of my stuff seems to like being at 60-65%, and the beads keep it there with no fuss. I suggest getting more than you think you need.

 

[cody6766]

I'm not sure how they'll work for larger humidores, but I'm using bovedia packs in my 50ct humi and they work well.

 

[Marcos1]

65% Hartfelt beads keeps my 120qt coolidor spot on.

 

[tomharr51]

I recently started using the Xikar humidifier 4 oz jars in my humidor. I have a very large humidor that holds 300 sticks. I have one shelf on top which I put a 4 oz jar on and I put two 4 oz jars in the bottom. I have about 40 cigars in it right now and I am at a constant 68% humidity. The downside to the jars is they take up space. If you don't want to sacrifice space Xikar makes humidifiers that mount to the lid which have the same type of gel beads in it. Ever since I have started smoking cigars I have struggled with finding a humidifier that works. These Xikar jars seem to work. Regardless of brand I would try one of the gel/bead type humidifiers. I just happened to get the Xikar brand because they were on sale at my local smoke shop. The guy who works there said any brand of gel/beads works well. He did stress to use pg solution because unlike distilled water it regulates itself at 70% humidity.

 

[tomharr51]

I'd take them completely out, but that's just me. Mold can spread not only to your other sticks, but to your humidor itself. Once you clean the infected cigars up, they should be fine, but you will want to keep a close eye on things for a while after you put them back in.

This is good advice. I know guys who have had mold spread in their humidors.