I work overseas and have recently started smoking cigars. I'm away for 4 weeks at a time - I've been through some threads and reckon that beads are the best "leave and forget" option. Would you say that's correct? I'm looking at a 60ct Adorini humidor so I hope the quality is there, but I won't be able to check on the cigars for 4 weeks at a time so I don't want to get it wrong.

Maybe I'm over-stating the importance of getting the humidity level spot-on, but what sort of solution would you go for? Tubes? Beads?
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Beads work great, you won't regret getting them. Just make sure the humidor is thoroughly seasoned and has a good seal.
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:-)
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You would be better off investing in a small (Coleman, Igloo, etc.) cooler than a small wood humidor -- especially if you're not going to be around much. Wood humidors require care -- especially inexpensive ones, as the seals are not always good.

In either case, beads will work well for you. But beads will work better in a cooler :-)

A small cooler requires a lot less work and they make great humidors. Just my :-)
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:-)

Something like this
Image

Rather than like this
Image

The tight seal is what is crucial. That and some beads and you will be fine.
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Thanks guys! Some great advice there and I'll consider a cooler. I've fallen in love with the Adorini because you can see the cigars on display... Will weigh up my options.
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While having glass panels on your humidor may seem cool and aesthetically pleasing, it presents additional points of potential leakage.

My advice is to set the humi aside for when you can be around to monitor conditions and appreciate the beauty. Go with a cooler for reliable storage.
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Humidor or cooler, if the seals are good, will be no problem over 4 weeks or so as long as the lid is closed. The humidity cannot escape as long as the thing stays shut.

Now the TEMPERATURE, that's another issue. :-)
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Assuming that the humidor seals well, you are right. However, as Peter noted, humidors with glass, and many inexpensive wood humidors tend to leak...
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Get some of Cigarnut's (Michael's) beads.
When you leave and can't look after your humidor, stick the whole deal in a garbage bag and tie it off. Pull out as much slack as you can before you tie it, but don't pull so tight as to poke holes in the bag.
When you get home, unbag your humidor and the RH will be exactly as you left it. :-)
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This sounds like an excellent summary but all of the advice has been welcome. Will go for a nice display humidor for when I'm home and can pay attention to them, but will store the cigars in a cooler when away. Hadn't given as much thought to temperature as I perhaps should but a cooler is certainly a better option to address that too.
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Have gone for a bit of a compromise and ordered a Boveda acrylic humidor - the large one. It gets good reviews and looks like what I'm after: low (or no..) maintenance and shows off the cigars. I will set up a cooler for boxes eventually but keep individual cigars - which is all I'm likely to have for the next few months - in this. It comes with Boveda packets but I'll no doubt get some beads for the cooler. Once again - many thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.
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Good Luck, Rich!!! :-)
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If you are going to be gone use Boveda. I would use 2, 320gram packs. You can over Boveda. The RH depends on the humidor type and seal. I probably would go with 69% if it is solid wood. If it has a glass top, maybe 72%. It depends if you live in a wet or dry climate. Go to the Boveda YouTube channel and watch some of their education videos where they discuss selecting the proper humidity level. A Boveda won’t go much over their stated RH level. They will go under if your humidor is leaky or in a very dry climate.
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Ideal RH is a personal preference. There is no "proper" humidity level. So to suggest 69% or 72% as a target it not necessarily good advice. I know many cigar smokers, myself included, who prefer their cigars in the low 60s.

:-)
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^^^ myself included as well ^^^...sage advice from an "old sage"...
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Thanks Watchman. The Boveda humidor I've ordered comes with Boveda packs in it. I'm not experienced enough to have a preference regarding RH yet so will follow the instructions and see how it goes. I just want the cigars to stay in good condition for several weeks without being checked up on.
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For an initial set-up that is going to be unattended for an extended period, I would err on the side of caution and go with a slightly lower humidity (well under 70%) as you don't want your cigars to get moldy -- not that your cigars will get moldy at the RH recommended by WatchmanUSA, but it is a possibility.

Why take the chance?

Just my :-)
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Another thumbs up for a coolerdor! And beads. Also, people get very anal about temp and humidity, but it's really not rocket science. In the orient, folks like to keep their smokes at 50%. So, if you stay between 50-75 you should be ok. If you stay close to 65-75 degrees you should be good as well. It's like taking care of plants- there is the ideal way, but coming close to the ideal works just as well! I am away from my house for six months at a time, and the coolerdors keep the humidity close to 65% the entire time. The same can't be said for the humidors, they drop to 40-50% over time.
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Cigarnut, Hotreds - thanks for your comments, will bear that in mind.
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