Aristocrat Humidor Humidity

[KB24]

Anyone else here with an Aristocrat that lives in dry areas filling their reservoir once a week maybe once every 2 weeks? Seems like I'm filling that damn thing every other day. The original instruction said to only fill the reservoir a certain amount but I have been putting 4x that amount so to not have to be doing it as often. Just thinking out loud here! Have a nice day everyone.

[SandmanTR]

Anyone else here with an Aristocrat that lives in dry areas filling their reservoir once a week maybe once every 2 weeks? Seems like I'm filling that damn thing every other day. The original instruction said to only fill the reservoir a certain amount but I have been putting 4x that amount so to not have to be doing it as often. Just thinking out loud here! Have a nice day everyone.

I live in the So Cal desert so it's extremely dry for me. All the time. At first, while my Aristocrat was being seasoned, I went thru a lot of distilled water. After seasoning and adding a decent amount of boxes (approx. 45) the humidity level has maintained 65% most of the time without the system running as much as it did. As of this posting, I usually fill up my reservoirs about every 6-8 weeks.

Chris

[BradNC]

Anyone else here with an Aristocrat that lives in dry areas filling their reservoir once a week maybe once every 2 weeks? Seems like I'm filling that damn thing every other day. The original instruction said to only fill the reservoir a certain amount but I have been putting 4x that amount so to not have to be doing it as often. Just thinking out loud here! Have a nice day everyone.

I don't know how dry Sacramento is compared with where you are located. I've had my Aristocrat a few weeks and it has been solid. I'd suggest you give Bob a call.

Brad

[El Presidente]

Anyone else here with an Aristocrat that lives in dry areas filling their reservoir once a week maybe once every 2 weeks? Seems like I'm filling that damn thing every other day. The original instruction said to only fill the reservoir a certain amount but I have been putting 4x that amount so to not have to be doing it as often. Just thinking out loud here! Have a nice day everyone.

if unseasoned (internal timbers) prior to shipping it will eat up water for months.

[Dbone]

Obviously in the winter or dryer months for me I'll have to add water more often. Not at the frequency you are though KB. I would guess there's an air leak. I'd take a piece of paper, open the door, close the door on the paper and pull the out. A good seal should provide good resistance. This gives you a good idea of how tight of a seal is around the door at least. I have had to adjust the hardware some to improve the seal.

If I poor 3 cups of water and it lasts around 2 months during the dry months.

[PigFish]

Anyone else here with an Aristocrat that lives in dry areas filling their reservoir once a week maybe once every 2 weeks? Seems like I'm filling that damn thing every other day. The original instruction said to only fill the reservoir a certain amount but I have been putting 4x that amount so to not have to be doing it as often. Just thinking out loud here! Have a nice day everyone.

Amigo you may wish to run a straight edge along the door of your cabinet and see if it is warped. Bob has a problem with this on some models as the outside of the door is finished and the inside is not and they obviously experience differing humidities. You may need to add some additional weather strip to fill the gap. If it is way out of whack he might replace the door but that is between the two of you. I don't think that Bob glues the tops on his humidors either to prevent cracking (I could be wrong on this) but you may wish to check around the top and make sure that it is not lose or have excessive tolerance. Depending on the size of your humidor you may wish to buy a larger humidifier from CMT, one with more volume if that is a problem.

Lastly, with all of us using whatever space we have to the fullest extent, you may wish to make sure there is a pathway for your humidified air to flow. It is not unreasonable to imagine that you may have a very wet low space, sealed from the area where the hygrometer is making differential humidity zones in your humidor. I am guessing of course but I can see this happening when one overfills their humidor.

Best of luck. - the Pig

[mbrody]

I don't know if this makes a big difference, but I made sure the grommet hole in the back is sealed after running the power wires through it to the humidity unit.

[rbrotmd]

KB, I have the same problem PLUS. I have to add a full reservoir of water every 7 to 10 days in the dry season (I live in Rhode Island). In addition, I have to remove the water reservoir and use a desicant like Dry Rid in the humid season or the humidity will rise to 80-85%. I have about 1.5lbs of 65% humidity beads (Heartfelt) in the humidor at all times, but it doesn't seem to "temper" the swings.

I have conferred with Bob at Aristocrat multiple times. I have checked for air leaks and replaced the door twice and made sure the door seal in tight!

Since the humidor is so beautifully crafted, I have decided to live with the humidity problems. The real downside is if I plan a trip of longer than 1 week in the humid or dry season.

[Dbone]

Lastly, with all of us using whatever space we have to the fullest extent, you may wish to make sure there is a pathway for your humidified air to flow. It is not unreasonable to imagine that you may have a very wet low space, sealed from the area where the hygrometer is making differential humidity zones in your humidor. I am guessing of course but I can see this happening when one overfills their humidor.

That is good advice.

[PigFish]

That is good advice.

I try!!!

Most of you know I have some knowledge with active humidors. I have found that if you bring your humidifier (an active type) to the front of the box instead of the back where the pathways are likely obstructed you will solve a few problems. 1) It is easier to get to to fill. 2) It is easier to put back in place without spilling. 3) Since you must be able to close the door, most people leave some open space at the front of their humidor, cabinet type, while they push the boxes to the rear wall to get the most space. Having your appliance up front utilizes this space as a circulation conduit.

In my "own built" humidors I sacrifice space for the sake of circulation. It is important. I build a false back into all my humidors as there are many benefits from doing so. Unfortunately it costs you cigar storage space. As I see it what is the point of the space if the humidor does not perform as required? The biggest badest humidor that does not work is worth little or nothing to me!

Cheers, Mr. Piggy

[Wing]

I find keeping a good volume (say 75% or more) of cigars in both active and passive humidors help in maintaining humidity and reduces the need for you to keep filling water/monitoring the humidor as the cigars themselves act as humidifying elements themselves