So I live in Newport, which is very humid in the summer. As of 2 days ago, my humidor is at 81%, and my sticks are coming out pretty wet when it's time to light them (they lite, but theyre hard to cut since they just squish under the cutter blade).

I just recently ordered some beads from Scott, and after 2 days they still haven't brought it down much (78%).

Anything I can do? Or should I just wait out the summer?
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Have you considered pulling out all humidification sources and seeing if that helps?
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I keep my cigars in the basement since it's cooler than upstairs. Unfortunately, it seems to be more humid in the basement, but I picked up a dehumidifier, and I run this in the basement when I find the RH creeping up in the humidors.
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You could make a dry box and put the cigars in there a few days to a week or more before you smoke them.
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The beads should work but humidity stabilization is not a quick process, especially if the sticks are squishy-wet as you say. Give it some more time.
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Read the directions. Please.
That's why I go through all the trouble to write them, print them, and send them. :-)
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I read through them, I am just not sure if its the beads or something wrong with the humi... Should I wait a week like your instructions say before I start panicking?
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I use Scott's beads and they are great. Once things get under control you will be fine. Don't panic. Like he said read the instructions for drying out the beads so they can absorb the excess moisture. I have had the same problem in the past and it can be frustrating. Scott will shoot me for what I am about to say, but if its getting way too wet too fast and you don't have any dry beads to work with you can also try some of the kitty litter beads that have been mentioned around the forums. Granted they don't work well at releasing moisture and maintaining the RH but they do do what they were intended for and that's suck up moisture. We went through a wet period last year where it rained for like 18 straight days and the RH in the house was like 100%. I used them to keep the RH down then and then removed them when the weather dried out.

Chas
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You can also get some DampRid and use that to bring the humidity under control and then use Scott's beads to regulate the humidity.
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I've done that myself in the past, too.
Especially when I'm starting a new humi or cooler I built to pull water out of the wood and the new wet cigars.
Patience is the key.
That's what this hobby's about. It ain't a microwave world. :-)
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So your saying I shouldn't be microwaving my cigars when they are too wet? :-)
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Reminds me of my days pushing papers for a yoga studio. These soccer moms would call up and basically demand we fax them karma - NOW. :-)
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most empty boxes have scrap cedar in them if you have any laying around the house add it to the humi it will slowly absorb a little moisture. Otherwise your local B&M should have plenty
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I will 2nd the DampRid it works great :-)
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I'll third it, cause I have a can in my wine fridge beside my desk, and I went with sofaman to walmart to get it. :-)
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