Spongy Cigars

Whiskeyrunner · 05/05/2015 06:00 AM

Hey fellows ......... reached in the humidor and pulled out some sticks that feel spongy. Not all of them but a few. Is there a way to " dry' them out? I use the 75% Boveda packs (3) in my 100 ct humidor and the hygrometer usually reads between 65-68%.

Thanks

StogieDad · 05/05/2015 06:07 AM

Are these particular cigars close to or directly touching the packs? May need to rotate stuff around occasionally in the humi.

Be careful of "drying" out any cigar, as a rapid change in humidity could cause a lot of issues, namely wrapper cracking or swelling if the wrapper dries faster than the inside. Maybe move them away from the Boveda and let them sit for a good bit and see if that helps. If not, I would check your hygrometer to make sure you are getting an accurate reading.

Mojo66 · 05/05/2015 06:47 AM

75% is quite high, I agree with Michael that if one of those high RH Bovedas touches or is real close to some sticks these would be very humidified.

I'm surprised your humidor reads so low with 3 packs in. Is your hygrometer calibrated, it's possibly showing significantly lower numbers than reality.

Whiskeyrunner · 05/05/2015 08:25 AM

I actually run 72 in the humidor as I never got readings above 62 with the Bovedas.

The hydrometer is calibrated per instructions.

I will make an effort to keep the sticks in a different location in the humidor.

ninfiction · 05/05/2015 08:57 AM

I would maybe go with a greater number of lower rh packs, like 5 - 65rh...or more. If you're only reading 65-68% those 75% packs are working overtime.

Jackal · 05/05/2015 09:22 AM

Just remember that the hygrometer only reads the humidity at its location. Corners and other low flow zones can trap moisture, resulting in pockets of higher humidity.

Cfickter · 05/05/2015 09:31 AM

Some solid tips given. If you have one drop in another hygrometer to see if you the same reading

sjn1117 · 05/05/2015 10:28 AM

Just curious, but what does the humidity typically run where you live. Outside of a humidor I mean.

Jay'D · 05/06/2015 10:23 AM

QuoteMojo66 - 5/5/2015 9:47 AM

75% is quite high, I agree with Michael that if one of those high RH Bovedas touches or is real close to some sticks these would be very humidified.

I'm surprised your humidor reads so low with 3 packs in. Is your hygrometer calibrated, it's possibly showing significantly lower numbers than reality.

I agress with the above, that just does not sound right.

Whiskeyrunner · 05/06/2015 10:24 AM

Ellicott City ..........Fall/Winter 26%+/- ........... Spring Summer 50%-100%

ntanner · 05/06/2015 11:42 AM

So youre humidity is on the up swing in youre area. May need to reduce the amount of humidification devices. I have to put the lid on a jell jar on occasion, say during the monsoon season when the over all humidity rises in my area.

05Venturer · 05/06/2015 03:25 PM

my tupperdor hygrometers always read within 1-2% of the Bovedas. hygro check or possibly more bovedas should be the plae to start IMO.

Jay'D · 05/13/2015 08:22 AM

I've had this issue as well, some are a little on the spongy side and others are firm but they are mixed up in between. I recently had to toss a house blend I tried to smoke the other day, barely stayed lit and you could hear the leaves crackling inside when you squeezed the body. I'm hoping this only occured because it was a house blend and was of poor construction and the other sticks in the humi don't suffer the same fate.

Longhorn · 05/13/2015 11:25 AM

Try dry boxing the cigars - takes about 48-72 hours, but should get the affected sticks back to a normal level.

sar127 · 05/13/2015 01:13 PM

If 75% Bovedas are reading 65%, there's definitely something wrong with either your hygro or your humi as Bovedas are practically foolproof. If 3-4 Boveda packs in a 100ct humi lasts 4-6 months, your humi is more than likely fine and its ur hygro thats off. Tracking the time Bovedas last is better than freaking out weekly over inaccurate hygros in my opinion, so just throw the damn thing out!

To slowly but cheaply drop the humidity in there, try throwing in just one 72% pack till it dries, should be about 2-3 weeks. Then you can throw in your 3-4 70%, or repeat the process down to 69 or 65 or whatever you want.

hebron · 05/13/2015 02:01 PM

Quote05Venturer - 5/7/2015 12:25 AM

my tupperdor hygrometers always read within 1-2% of the Bovedas. hygro check or possibly more bovedas should be the plae to start IMO.

Same here.

DonM · 05/13/2015 02:39 PM

I would try reducing the boveda packs you are using and see where the RH is from there. You may be using too many which will over humidify and your cigars will soak it up. I use beads and have 1/2 hydrated and the others dry to stabilize the humidor to the correct RH. Worth a try anyway. I like my RH @ 65 % personally

MacMac · 05/18/2015 07:06 PM

I like these problem solving threads. I'm learning a lot from threads like this. Sorry whiskyrunner had the problem but havering problems discussed here sure is helping me as a new cigar smoker.

nirab · 05/18/2015 07:46 PM

Calibrate the hygrometer, and then take the Boveda packs out. Monitor the readings daily, and maybe a week later, put the pack back in. I'd also suggest the 69% packs. Here in Texas, the humidity can go up and down fast, especially in the summer. If that causes my humidor to go up and down a few ticks, I'm still within what I consider the "sweet spot" humidity levels of between 62-65%. I find 70% is too much moisture, so I am happy as long as the humidor is anywhere from 60-65%. Just my 2 cents!

horrido · 05/18/2015 07:52 PM

I use a couple of hygrometers sometimes to see where the humity is in my cases I have found differences in the levels at varying heights and try to adjust accordingly. I have to agree with jacket there are pockets and others have mentioned move your sticks around which is very useful to get rid of sponges. Good luck.

BigHop · 05/18/2015 07:55 PM

I'm pretty sure boveda says one packet is good for 25 cigars so a full 100 count humidor should have 4 packets. If you only have 25 cigars in your humidor it could account for having a lower RH than the boveda. The more cigars in the humidor the easier it is to keep the humidity up.

I would try a lower number pack maybe 69 or 65. Heck try them all see what you like best but be sure to give them a couple weeks to acclimate. 75 seems a bit high if you want to smoke them right away. Most people that run that high RH do it for aging. Also if you want to lower the RH a bit temporarily you can just open the humidor for a few minutes each day to bring it down until you find a more permanent fix.

hebron · 05/18/2015 11:21 PM

QuoteDonM - 5/13/2015 11:39 PM

I would try reducing the boveda packs you are using and see where the RH is from there. You may be using too many which will over humidify and your cigars will soak it up. I use beads and have 1/2 hydrated and the others dry to stabilize the humidor to the correct RH. Worth a try anyway. I like my RH @ 65 % personally

There shouldn't be any need to reduce the number of Boveda packs; as they are two-way. They should absorb any access humidification, and release it when required. Unless they are completly saturated and can not absorb any more of course.

Jackal · 05/19/2015 08:53 AM

Quotehebron - 5/18/2015 11:21 PM

QuoteDonM - 5/13/2015 11:39 PM

I would try reducing the boveda packs you are using and see where the RH is from there. You may be using too many which will over humidify and your cigars will soak it up. I use beads and have 1/2 hydrated and the others dry to stabilize the humidor to the correct RH. Worth a try anyway. I like my RH @ 65 % personally
There shouldn't be any need to reduce the number of Boveda packs; as they are two-way. They should absorb any access humidification, and release it when required. Unless they are completly saturated and can not absorb any more of course.

I would agree if they were 69% Bovedas, but with 75% packs, they are probably throwing off way too much water, and more of them just means even more water being released. Changing to 69% or 65% packs will probably fix things.

hebron · 05/19/2015 12:45 PM

QuoteJackal - 5/19/2015 5:53 PM

Quotehebron - 5/18/2015 11:21 PM

QuoteDonM - 5/13/2015 11:39 PM

I would try reducing the boveda packs you are using and see where the RH is from there. You may be using too many which will over humidify and your cigars will soak it up. I use beads and have 1/2 hydrated and the others dry to stabilize the humidor to the correct RH. Worth a try anyway. I like my RH @ 65 % personally
There shouldn't be any need to reduce the number of Boveda packs; as they are two-way. They should absorb any access humidification, and release it when required. Unless they are completly saturated and can not absorb any more of course.

I would agree if they were 69% Bovedas, but with 75% packs, they are probably throwing off way too much water, and more of them just means even more water being released. Changing to 69% or 65% packs will probably fix things.

I have to admit I don't have any experience with the 75% packs. But you are probably right about that. I'm a 65% kinda guy :)