Am I unlucky or....

[VirginIslander]

It seems that atleast 1 in 5 cigars I light up are plugged...and I know it before I take a pre-light draw. They aren't plugged somewhere in the middle or anything like that. I can look at the freshly cut head and see its going to suck (ha, or not). The cut looks like it could be a solid peice of tobacco its rolled so tight. usually using a poker doesn't work. My storage situation is 63-64 degrees and right around 65% so I can't see it being overly humidified and swelled up....and they are from various sources. Any ideas?

**Edit** Plug may the wrong word in some cases, but still unenjoyably tight (Bob, no comments on that), even if cut to the end of the cap.

 

[hdroadglide]

dammit

 

[Moro]

First of all, get a poker. Second, how long have they been sitting at the given RH?

 

[hdroadglide]

your gotta figure if it's different sticks from different places, it's gotta be your storage. it's pretty humid out there isn't it?

 

[Jfire]

Let them acclimate to their enviroment for 30 mins before smoking helps me alot of the time. Taking 1 from this to that cant help.

 

[njstone]

Let them acclimate to their enviroment for 30 mins before smoking helps me alot of the time. Taking 1 from this to that cant help.

I try to do this as well. But yea, you really need to get a poker...or make one. Until then, at least use a toothpick--just insert it in the head and push it in as far as you can (wow, this is sounding dirty...), then use a pliers or something to pull it out. IF that doens't get it, try the same at the foot of the cigar.

Before I got my poker, I used the toothpick method and it was surprising how often it helped! Now I'm really spoiled, and I'll use my poker like 2 times out of ten, even if the draw is just a little tight.

 

[VirginIslander]

here is the setup: wineador. a 150 humi inside and also various boxes with good seal. then whatever humidification device inside (if needed, it is as bob said very humid here), but its not like the boxes are in the open

I'm going to try Joliets suggestion and let them acclimate. I don't usually do that.

 

[Mitch]

leaf expands as moisure is absorbed, sounds like your humidity is running a tad high. Are the bands very tight? I use this as a guage, if I can ease the bands off the cigar they are close to how they were rolled, if the bands are stuck, the cigar has swollen.

 

[VirginIslander]

leaf expands as moisure is absorbed, sounds like your humidity is running a tad high. Are the bands very tight? I use this as a guage, if I can ease the bands off the cigar they are close to how they were rolled, if the bands are stuck, the cigar has swollen.

Thats another thing, sometimes the bands are a bit loose. I'm perplexed. I cant wait to hang out with Hardcore, Tubaman and other [soon to be] local BOTLs and learn some sh-tuff. In person, I"ve had no one but myself to learn from. Everyone here has been amazing but there is still something to be said for first hand learning.

 

[Ratbert]

I'm surprised that that using a draw poker doesn't help. Try running it in from both the foot and the cut and then massage the cigar well.

If the pre-light draw tells you that it's going to be tough, dry-box it for a day or so and then see if you can tell a difference in the draw...if so, then humidity would seem to be the issue.

 

[Danilo]

Bill, I don't think that the 65% humidity is the problem, As most people seem to store their cigars at 65%...
With that said...
If your hygrometer is calibrated, I would think that it might be damaged if you have that many cigars that end up like that, and it reads a 65% humidity.

What are you using as your humidity source by the way?

 

[weskimad]

If you are smoking CC's, I've had my best luck with #2 sizes and Robustos. For me, once I deviate from those sizes it's hit or miss. I can take an Upmann #2 out, I don't care if it's at 65 or 70, they'll both draw great (sure, at 65 it will burn better).

As for smokes that are plugged near the head, they get the drill bit.

 

[Danilo]

that is a bad ass little drill bit set up!!

 

[CWS]

Too much humidity would be my guess. You live in a humid area. The RH in the humi when you open it might be 65 but outside it is probably higher. You may be getting the reverse effect that people in a dry area have. Every time you open it, they get dosed. Just a thought. I would lower it to 60 and see what happens. Take some of your plugged cigars and put them in a tupperware container with a 60% boveda pack. Leave for a week or so and see what happens. I have done this with a small desk top. I keep it at 60 to 61 and when I cut a cigar find it plugged in it goes. I salavage maybe 50% as they open up. Some need a little help and some well they are helpless.

 

[Mitch]

I have a constant strugle here in south florida keeping the humidity down during the rainy season. Great product is Damp Rid like you find in the grocery store. Put a tub in your humidor and it will draw out excess moisture. My humidor is large and I've never had a problem with it pulling the moisture out too fast or too much, but I'd watch it in a smaller box.

 

[pfm721]

If you haven't calibrated the hygrometer in a long time I would run a salt test on it, so that I was sure I was getting an accurate reading.

 

[Penzip]

This is a good thread , lots of good info here. Thanks guys

 

[VirginIslander]

the main hygro is a digital, and is usually close to what the analog reads (both had the salt test a couple months ago). The non-plugged ones smoke great. They burn well which points to not being over humidified, but they don't taste dry either.

 

[russell p]

Damn that drill bit looks cool.....

 

[Moro]

Damn that drill bit looks cool.....

Hear hear! It's a Zebra F-301 pen with a drill bit attached, if I'm not mistaken.