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[Marbella]

Keeping the correct humidity level

In order to maintain the correct humidity level in your humidor, you will need to charge the humidifier!

In order to do so, remove the humidifier from the humidor and dampen the humidifier in a 50/50 solution of distilled water and propylene glycol (PG), generally referred to as activator solution. You are only aiming to dampen the humidifier, not soak it, just a few squirts of activator solution is enough to keep it charged for a few months. Repeat this whenever your cigars start to become dry, or whenever your hygrometer reads lower than preferable.

PG is hydroscopic, absorbing moisture from the environment, rather like salt in humid weather. distilled water will evaporate until the ambient humidity approaches 70%. At which point the PG will not permit any more moisture in the air. The reverse also occurs, if there is too much moisture present in the air, the PG solution will absorb the excess, bringing the hunidity down to 70%.

It is necessary to use distilled water, as tap water contains minerals, which will prevent your humidifier from working. Th ph levels in tap water may also interfere with the PG and cause variations in humidity.

Another cautionary word!
Open your humidor as little as possible, in order to keep the humidity constant. If you like to hover over your collection, consider a glass top humidor, so you do not need to keep lifting the lid.

* About once a month rotate your cigars and permit some air circulation.
* Clean the exterior of your humidor with a dry cloth as polishes could affect the wood and alter the flavor of your cigars.