Heartfelt bead question

[thatsonofa]

I have 70% beads in my humi. My humi is kept in a cool dry place and maintains an inside temp of 70 degrees. I also have a digital hydrometer which i calibrated twice, but the hydrometer is reading 72%. Is that extra 2% going to make a difference? Should I try 65% beads and see if it goes to 67%?

 

[Sportsdls]

It really just depends on what you like. If they are smoking well for you then 72 isn't going to hurt them. If they feel a little too wet as you smoke them, get some 65% and use them, or use both and the RH will settle somewhere between the two.

 

[Bxcigrfan]

some would suggest that, that is fine and then you can just dry box them b4 you plan to smoke it. at least that was something i read on here

 

[thatsonofa]

So far they seem to be smoking fine. I wasnt sure if it could/would cause any issues long-term. I just wanted to make sure.

 

[SouthsideCigar]

For me 72% would be too high. Not that the cigars would be damaged or anythign, I just don't feel the cigars burn or draw well at that RH. I agree dry boxing would help, but I do not know a few days in advance what I may or may not want to smoke, so I want to be able to grab what I want when I want.

Dave

 

[BlindedByScience]

Assuming the outside RH is lower than the RH you want to maintain in your humi, try leaving it open for an hour a day until the RH is where you want it.

B.B.S.

 

[Brickhouse]

Sounds to me like your beads are just a bit oversaturated. Just leave the humi open for a bit.

72% would be too high for me though, I find that the majority of my sticks smoke best at around 65%. As it gets above that I tend to have some burn issues.

 

[mysterea]

I'd wonder if (as was mentioned earlier) you didn't soak your beads too much?

 

[Marcos]

I have 65% beads in my cooler and sometimes right after I mist them the hygro reads 67-68. After a day or two every thing is back to normal. Like others have said I sometimes leave the lid cracked a bit. When you calibrated the hygro how many points off was it? Are you leaving some of the beads white so they can absorb excess moisture?

 

[thatsonofa]

I may soaked the beads too much. I didnt have a spray bottle so I had to pour the distilled water out of the jug onto the tube.

 

[thatsonofa]

I'm also going to try some 65% beads instead of the 70%. It does seem like my sticks burn too slow, but they always burn even.

 

[thatsonofa]

Update:

I rearranged my humi so that the digital would have more breathing room and now it is reading 69%. I'm thinking that before it wasn't getting enough airflow???

 

[BlindedByScience]

I may soaked the beads too much. I didnt have a spray bottle so I had to pour the distilled water out of the jug onto the tube.

I used to do this and the beads eventually turned black with mold. Throw caution to the wind, next time you're at your local grocery emporium, and buy a little spray bottle for $0.99 or so just for this job.....

Good luck - B.B.S.

 

[pub spears]

Some folks like to use 70% for long term and 65% in the smoke box.