My first humidor is due to arrive Thursday and I've been looking through all the threads and have seen recommendations to wipe the wood inside the humi with a damp sponge or cloth and I've seen just as many threads that say not to wipe the wood. I realize wiping the wood will speed up the seasoning process but I also realize that there is possibly a risk of warping the wood.

Should I wipe or can I effectively season my humidor by placing a bowl of water in it for 24-48 hours?

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There are only two kinds of criminals: those who get caught and the rest of us.

0 That Guy 0:

My first humidor is due to arrive Thursday and I've been looking through all the threads and have seen recommendations to wipe the wood inside the humi with a damp sponge or cloth and I've seen just as many threads that say not to wipe the wood. I realize wiping the wood will speed up the seasoning process but I also realize that there is possibly a risk of warping the wood.

Should I wipe or can I effectively season my humidor by placing a bowl of water in it for 24-48 hours?

I never wipe...ok, only have one humis, but I didn't wipe. Just let distilled water sit for a few days. That ought to do the trick and then no worries about the potential to warp.

I think it takes longer to season if you do not wipe but I amnot positive about that. I always wipe them down. And do reseason usually every 6 months to a year especially if I am having low rH problems.

wiping the wood won't cause warping per se, but it will definitely cause the wood to expand, which may or may not have an effect on your humidor. Just letting water evaporate takes longer, but there's no risk of harming your humidor. Just have a little patience.

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Question, challenge, and always keep a fresh battery in your bullshit detector

I wipe all of my humidors down and have not had a problem the key is to barely use any water just use as little as possible. You can always use more if you need to just barely dampen a cloth and wipe down the whole thing every thing that is cedar including the trays otherwise they will just suck moisture until they are properly humidified. I usually wipe down than put a dish filled with distilled water in the bottom and let that sit for about 24 hours before checking it. It will season quicker the longer you keep it shut so just have a little patience.

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“What this country needs is a good five cent cigar.”
Thomas R. Marshall

“Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle.”
George F. Burns

I use Boveda seasoning packs. It's slower, but more gradual. 4 bucks and 10 days later the humidor is 70% RH and I never have worry about messing up the wood.

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jlmarta:

I stick a raisin in my belly button and pretend I'm a cookie.

My friend used Boveda packs and he loves em. I just like a little quicker than ten days but i might start using them for regular humidity in my smaller humi.

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“What this country needs is a good five cent cigar.”
Thomas R. Marshall

“Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle.”
George F. Burns

Russ55:

I use Boveda seasoning packs. It's slower, but more gradual. 4 bucks and 10 days later the humidor is 70% RH and I never have worry about messing up the wood.

The 4 bucks sounds great; it's the 10 days I've never been able to wait for. I am, admittedly, a wiper. Not that there's anything wrong with that. ;)

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My Band

decisions decisions............................i hate decisions

With smokes on the way along with a humidor I just can't decide what I want to do. I want it to be as fast of a process as possible but I definitely don't want to expand the wood causing any seal flaws within the humidor.

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__________________________
There are only two kinds of criminals: those who get caught and the rest of us.

I wipe the wood, and I've never had a problem. It's worth noting that you could also only wipe down the center areas.

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Ubi Cigar

The Boveda packs are awsome ...

I always wipe and always do a security wipe for good measure....oh, the humidor. Come on, nobody else was jumping on that train?!

Seriously though, I've wiped down 3 out of my 4 humis and for me it's sped up the process of preparing the humidor and I've never had any bad side effects. Actually, the only one humi I've ever had both slight mold and RH problems with is the one I didn't wipe. Probably coincidence. I just find wiping down (very lightly, a few times - never saturate) tends to speed up the process by at least a few days.

brsmith21:

Russ55:

I use Boveda seasoning packs. It's slower, but more gradual. 4 bucks and 10 days later the humidor is 70% RH and I never have worry about messing up the wood.

The 4 bucks sounds great; it's the 10 days I've never been able to wait for. I am, admittedly, a wiper. Not that there's anything wrong with that. ;)

Yeah, the ten days is pretty rough.

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jlmarta:

I stick a raisin in my belly button and pretend I'm a cookie.

Anyone else expecting a different topic with this subject of the thread? I know I did...

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brsmith21:

I've heard the first step is admitting that you have a problem. Thankfully, I don't have a problem. I'll just smoke more.

Garen B:

Anyone else expecting a different topic with this subject of the thread? I know I did...

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Question, challenge, and always keep a fresh battery in your bullshit detector