Lubinski Humidimeter/Cigar Hygrometer

[Sia]

Hi all,

 

I am wondering if anyone has used the Lubinski Humidimeter before? I was unable to find the Cigarmedics device in my city and so I ordered the Lubinski online; it does not seem to be measuring tobacco humidity accurately. I have had a number of cigars in an electronic humidor, and some in a perfectly sealed tupperdor for months. Both kept at either 65% RH using the humidor's water tray and plenty of Boveda packs in the tupperdors. 

When using this device, none of the cigars measure above 61% RH which is extremely unusual. I do believe the device is not functioning properly or is not calibrated as there's no way my cigars are all under 60% RH. 

Any thoughts ?

[Socrates]

A few thoughts on this. I have a Cigarmedics and have found that at the foot of the cigar you need to take at least 2-3 readings sometimes and then kinda average out the numbers in your head. Sometimes, depending on the cigar, the tobacco can be loose at the foot which will give you a lower reading then reality. Then take a reading at the closed end, which will/should usually be higher. Then using the two numbers decide whether to smoke it or not. For example, I store at 70F / 64%RH. Usually when I pick up a cigar and test I will get readings at the foot anywhere from 58-62% (for well acclimated cigars) and then usually 64-68% at the closed end. This tells me that more than likely the rest of the cigar is not too far off my 64% RH storage set point. I use the device just to choose one in the range where I think it will smoke well (to my liking anyway).

Keep in mind these devices don't actually measure %RH (because you are measuring tobacco not air)...they measure PMC (% moisture content) then they translate that number to what might be a corresponding %RH...since we store our cigars with that number in mind. The translation tables are just approximations by the manufacturer...and the devices themselves are going to be off by at least 2-5% in my opinion. But I still find it useful not to get an exact reading....but just to see if I am in the ballpark.  For me (personally) I have found that cigars I enjoy most read around 59-62% at the foot and 62-65%(max) at the closed end when I use the cigarmedics. My two cents...

[Sia]

6 hours ago, Socrates said:

A few thoughts on this. I have a Cigarmedics and have found that at the foot of the cigar you need to take at least 2-3 readings sometimes and then kinda average out the numbers in your head. Sometimes, depending on the cigar, the tobacco can be loose at the foot which will give you a lower reading then reality. Then take a reading at the closed end, which will/should usually be higher. Then using the two numbers decide whether to smoke it or not. For example, I store at 70F / 64%RH. Usually when I pick up a cigar and test I will get readings at the foot anywhere from 58-62% (for well acclimated cigars) and then usually 64-68% at the closed end. This tells me that more than likely the rest of the cigar is not too far off my 64% RH storage set point. I use the device just to choose one in the range where I think it will smoke well (to my liking anyway).

Keep in mind these devices don't actually measure %RH (because you are measuring tobacco not air)...they measure PMC (% moisture content) then they translate that number to what might be a corresponding %RH...since we store our cigars with that number in mind. The translation tables are just approximations by the manufacturer...and the devices themselves are going to be off by at least 2-5% in my opinion. But I still find it useful not to get an exact reading....but just to see if I am in the ballpark.  For me (personally) I have found that cigars I enjoy most read around 59-62% at the foot and 62-65%(max) at the closed end when I use the cigarmedics. My two cents...

This is very useful, thank you! I have tried your suggestion and find exactly that they are mostly above 65% at the head of the cigar and between 59% to 62% at the foot so they might be alright to smoke? Fascinating I had no idea this level of variance was normal with Cigarmedics as well.

P.S. I hated having to pierce the head of the cigar 😣

[Li Bai]

I can see those devices are quite popular in here but tbh I don't see the point.

Just relax, keep your storage conditions right, give your cigars some weeks/months/years and trust your senses 👍

[Socrates]

8 hours ago, Sia said:

This is very useful, thank you! I have tried your suggestion and find exactly that they are mostly above 65% at the head of the cigar and between 59% to 62% at the foot so they might be alright to smoke? Fascinating I had no idea this level of variance was normal with Cigarmedics as well.

P.S. I hated having to pierce the head of the cigar 😣

I would think they would be good to smoke for sure!

5 hours ago, Li Bai said:

I can see those devices are quite popular in here but tbh I don't see the point.

Just relax, keep your storage conditions right, give your cigars some weeks/months/years and trust your senses 👍

True...gadgets are just fun to play with