My house gets very dry in the winter down to 18%-20% rh. I haven't notcied a drop in my cigar storage yet but I haven't been smoking much lately so I haven't even been opening my coolerdors/tupperdors at all.

In previous years I have constantly fought to keep the humidity up. Has anyone else dealt with this problem. I have steam heat so adding humidity to the air in the house via the heating system isn't an option. Thoughts?
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Though it doesn't get very dry in south Florida what I fomenting the winter is I put a couple bowls of water to help add some extra humidity to the air. The beads seem to recharge themselves and I never drop below 65 or go higher than 68.
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It would be greatly helpful if you could tell us a bit more about the humidors & coolers, like approximate size, how full, and what type of humidification source you are currently using and how much. Also, if you are going by hygrometer readings, have you tested / calibrated your hygrometer?

Such being said, assuming that your humidors and coolers don't leak like sieves, the general fix is to add additional humidification capacity. If you are using beads, add more beads. Or you could add a few waterpillows or a jar of gel such as Humi-Care or Cigar Mechanic. If it's a credo (the foam thing in the plastic case that you charge with PG/H2O solution), if you must keep it, add a jar of gel or pillows, although the best solution would be to throw them out and get beads. It's likely we can rule out active humidification for your humidors & coolers as if it functioning properly, you shouldn't have any issues unless it severely undersized for the space - in which case, fix it, replace it or get a larger one.
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:-) :-)
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This is what I am doing in my end table unit. RH of house is around 30*. I place a pyrex dish with a water soaked sponge to recharge the beads. If I leave it in there for days, it doesn't seem to raise it more than 67-68*. Then I'll take it out and a week or more later if it gets down to 63* or so I put it back in the humidor. This is the first winter I'm doing it, and it seems to help greatly. (I have an Oasis I use to normally keep things steady, but this method keeps me from refilling it constantly).
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More beads, but check it you're humi's leak first.

I had a Desktop with a glass dome for its lid and I had to put all my cigars in tupperware and smaller humis because it leaked so bad. Beginning of this winter it was like down to 42% humidity in there.

Once you know its not a leak, get more beads.
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My Cigar Oasis is going through water like crazy right now-probably refilling it at least once a week. Probably need to throw in some beads.
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I'm using this time of year to seal my non-cc glasstop using shilala's thread, and then re-season it. Crammed all my sticks in the cooler for the time being. I'll see if that helps any.
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One thing to note if you recharge your beads by sticking a dish or bowl of water in your humidor: be careful! Putting water in your humidor in this fashion can cause your RH to spike and potentially cause wrappers to split. Also you need to make sure no water gets on your cigars.

I would recommend taking the beads out to recharge them rather than placing water in your humidor.
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I have a coolerdor and three tupperdors two big and one small. Coolidor has two pounds of beads big tupperdor has a pound and each of the smaller ones have a half pound each. All have more than the required amount according to Scotts directions. All of my space is pretty full, from close to full up to 4-5 inches at the top of the biggest container. They are all air tight and hold pretty well. Historically I have used humidors in the winter and that was a nightmare. Pretty much daily checkups on everything to maintain humidity and still having some drops. This is my first full winter with the current setup and I guess I am just leery due to the history of low humidity issues in my house.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.
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I've mentioned this a couple times in other threads ::-)ough:: I buy 10-12 69% Boveda packs avery winter and use them in my desktop humidors and my small cabinet. I use these in addition to the beads I already have. 2-3 per 100-200 cigars tends to do the trick. They last mostly through the winter and I don't have to rehydrate the beads every couple days.

MCS
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That is a really good idea. I think I will try that. Thanks.
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Or just use Boveda packs and don't worry about the humidor. My house is bone dry and my desktop stays at 66% with the 69% packs.
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Use more Kat Krap Kontainment Media (silica Catlitter) works like beads just cheaper for under $10 you can get all you will ever need especially if you only use it during winter.
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I'm just a newbie, but I have beads on the way since finding out how hard it is keeping up...I'm in CO and with as dry as it is already here with near 0% humidity and now winter heater....I can't keep up with even my small humi...
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Ummm, no.
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/\ /\ /\ /\ /\
What he said
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I just cannot imagine how a media that is supposed to hold cat urine can be any good at managing the RH for fine cigars... Maybe it's OK for you but I would never trust my cigars to kitty litter...
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Sure, I'll use some 5 dollar kitty litter to protect my hundreds of dollars of cigars...

Maybe that works for you, but I'll use something proven to protect my investment.
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It's bound to happen someday and I'm going to laugh when it does but if people seriously use kitty liter long term someone with cat is going to be awful pissed when kitty finds the secret litter box. You leave it open.....walk away for a minute, kitty sees something new finds a new litter box....
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