Wrapper cracking issues

[Matt3]

Lately I have had a few cigars split while smoking. One was a Monte 4 and the other was a Sancho Panza non plus. I keep my cigars in my humidor, the humidity is a solid 65% and I use beads. The only thing I can think of is the temp. at which they are stored. I keep my humi in my bedroom and I like it cold when I sleep. My room is on average 61 degrees.

Do you think moving the humi out of the bedroom would stop the cracking issue. The rest of the house is currently 68 degrees due to winter.

One last thing, my hygrometer was just calibrated using the salt test so I know it is right and the beads work very well.

[tapewormboy]

I've been having the same problem. It's just the dry winter air.

[Colt45]

Are you smoking indoors or out? The winter weather here has been cold and extremely dry.

My thought is that if you are smoking outdoors, that perhaps the rapid swing in humidity may

be the culprit.

[tigger]

Very likely due to the dry winter air.

[gostgost]

Matt,

I'm in Jersey and not having that problem. It's been cold and very dry here also. By any chance are using a digital to measure the humidity?

[Ginseng]

» Lately I have had a few cigars split while smoking. One was a Monte 4 and

» the other was a Sancho Panza non plus. I keep my cigars in my humidor, the

» humidity is a solid 65% and I use beads. The only thing I can think of is

» the temp. at which they are stored. I keep my humi in my bedroom and I

» like it cold when I sleep. My room is on average 61 degrees.

»

» Do you think moving the humi out of the bedroom would stop the cracking

» issue. The rest of the house is currently 68 degrees due to winter.

»

» One last thing, my hygrometer was just calibrated using the salt test so I

» know it is right and the beads work very well.

Smoking a properly humidified cigar in a dry environment can increase they likelihood that the wrapper will crack or split. In the winter, I always rinse my cigars gently under a stream of water before smoking. I've yet to have a cigar that's been treated in this fashion crack on me and sometimes it's in the low 40's and bone dry.

Wilkey

[trumpetchris]

. In the winter, I always

» rinse my cigars gently under a stream of water before smoking. I've yet to

» have a cigar that's been treated in this fashion crack on me and sometimes

» it's in the low 40's and bone dry.

»

» Wilkey

Wow! Really, you rinse off the cigars? Never heard of that.

[Matt3]

» Are you smoking indoors or out? The winter weather here has been cold and

» extremely dry.

» My thought is that if you are smoking outdoors, that perhaps the rapid

» swing in humidity may

» be the culprit.

I smoke indoors in the basement. It is cold down their but, a whole lot better than outdoors. And my hygro is a digital.

I never really had this problem before but, I am a newbie and only seriously got into cigars this last summer although I have smoked on and off for a few years. It cold just be the temp swings from 61 degrees to a burning cigar but, I don't know for sure. That's why I am here.

[jasonM]

» Smoking a properly humidified cigar in a dry environment can increase they

» likelihood that the wrapper will crack or split. In the winter, I always

» rinse my cigars gently under a stream of water before smoking. I've yet to

» have a cigar that's been treated in this fashion crack on me and sometimes

» it's in the low 40's and bone dry.

»

» Wilkey

Interesting idea. Can you expand on this a little?

[tigger]

» Interesting idea. Can you expand on this a little?

You know the "clean tobacco taste" attributed to Upmanns and others? Wilkey's a gentle but "simple" man... :-D

[Ginseng]

» » Smoking a properly humidified cigar in a dry environment can increase they

» » likelihood that the wrapper will crack or split. In the winter, I always

» » rinse my cigars gently under a stream of water before smoking. I've yet to

» » have a cigar that's been treated in this fashion crack on me and sometimes

» » it's in the low 40's and bone dry.

» »

» » Wilkey

»

» Interesting idea. Can you expand on this a little?

I can and will do so once I find a little time. I'll write a post with pictures and comparative testing. In the mean time, I'm sure other proponents of this technique can add their own experience to the mix.

Wilkey

[El Presidente]

Thanks Wilkey.

I have read about the process many times and I would not perceive it to be too different to old timers here who lick down the wrapper of a cigar before lighting. Yet I have never seen the wet down method in action.