A humidor without a hygrometer is like a car without a gauge cluster. It will still drive just fine, but you will have little idea how fast you are going, what gear you are in, or if there is an issue with the vehicle.
Humidor hygrometers are the proverbial canary in the coal mine for humidors, as all it takes is a glance and you will know what humidity and temps are like inside. But like a gauge cluster in a car, these simple devices sometimes malfunction, and when they do you are left completely in the dark as to what is happening inside.
So if your hygrometer is on the fritz, or not working whatsoever, what do you do? Well, that really depends upon the problem, and what your needs are, because there are a few different paths that can be taken when it comes time to replace your humidor’s hygrometer.
That’s why in this article we will discuss some core humidor care tips, the main factors affecting your hygrometer accuracy (or inaccuracy), and the importance of having an accurate hygrometer, and the role it plays in maintaining cigar quality. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Understanding Your Hygrometer
For the garden variety humidor hygrometer, there are generally two types utilized by most cigar smokers: Analog and Digital. For those who are into smoking barbecue, this is likely closest akin to using a digital temperature probe or an old-school dial-style probe.
We tend to favor digital hygrometers over analog hygrometers because digital hygrometers are often more reliable and easier to use. Analog hygrometers, for example, require calibration, which should only be done professionally. If something obfuscates its reading, it must be recalibrated, which most humidor owners won’t be able to do.
Instead, digital hygrometers are more affordable, easy to use, and fairly reliable. However, built-in hygrometers are reliant on an airtight seal around the sensors. Otherwise, your reading may be compromised by outside air.
Signs of Hygrometer Inaccuracy
An inaccurate hygrometer is just as useful as a broken one. Inconsistent humidity readings do little more than leave you guessing and can be quite stressful to discover, especially when you have a fresh 5-pack of curated Klaro Cigars stuffed inside.
If you find that your hygrometer is giving you inaccurate readings, give it a look and see if there is any sign of visible wear or damage to the hygrometer. A cigar that has shifted inside can also cause an inaccurate reading, especially if it is butting right up to the sensor on the hygrometer.
If you have another hygrometer handy, and you know that it is accurate, pop it in and see what it says. By conducting a comparison with a secondary hygrometer you can determine precisely how far off those readings are, and then properly assess your options for fixing the issue.
Importance of Accuracy
Inaccurate readings can affect, and even ruin, a premium cigar collection. In order to guarantee the absolute best cigar aging and storage environment quality, one must remove the risk of sudden humidity fluctuations. This is why routinely monitoring that hygrometer’s readings is so crucial, along with following some basic humidor care tips will allow you to detect any spikes or drops in moisture inside.
Regular Hygrometer Maintenance Practices
If you own a Klaro humidor, you can rest assured in knowing that you have the most advanced humidor hygrometer on the planet. Not only does it read humidity levels to the most extreme degree, but it also monitors internal temps and never needs calibration.
There is no need for hygrometer maintenance with a Klaro product, nor is there the need for calibrating a humidor hygrometer of this nature. Just plug-and-play reliability that lasts a lifetime and a very brief list of humidor care tips. This is precisely why we patent all of our products, and why people opt to outfit our competitor’s humidors with our hygrometers.
For those of you who have yet to upgrade to a Klaro hygrometer, feel free to check out this link to hygrometer maintenance for more calibration tips and tricks. There, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, along with a few bonus tips for maintaining accuracy between calibrations.
Environmental Factors Influencing Hygrometer Accuracy
One thing people tend to forget is that humidity (or the lack thereof) is not the only reason why a hygrometer will suddenly start fluctuating. Extreme shifts in temperature can quickly impact humidity readings, and the higher those temps go, the more humid it will become inside. In contrast, a sharp drop in temperature can cause the humidity inside a humidor to plummet, so winter weather can also influence that reading.
Additionally, the placement of a hygrometer inside a humidor can make a massive difference in what is perceived from outside the box. A hygrometer that does not stick far enough inside a humidor’s walls, or is tucked too close to the humidity source can cause all manner of misread. That’s why every Klaro humidor has a hygrometer with sensors that sit well beyond the line of the humidor wall, and in many cases comes silicone gasket sealed for added security.
Lifespan of Different Hygrometer Types
Unlike digital hygrometers, analog hygrometers typically do not require the need for a battery. Therefore, they do tend to have an extremely lengthy lifespan. The only catch is that this design does need occasional recalibration, and does not read as accurately. Analog hygrometers can be a bit finicky, so be sure to check out our article explaining the ins and outs of calibrating a humidor hygrometer prior to undertaking this task on your own.
As for digital hygrometers, as long as it is of good grade and does not become compromised in any way, the chance of receiving accurate readings for decades on end is easily obtainable. Despite their electronic nature, digital hygrometers are still very simple pieces of tech with zero hygrometer maintenance required. If anything, they may require the occasional battery change every other year or so.
Technological Advances in Hygrometers
As with many things in this world, the digital world has strongly influenced the way in which mart hygrometers function. Take the Klaro Valet for instance. This smart hygrometer sends readings over to a Bluetooth bridge, which in turn connects to the cloud via your home WiFi, which then relays all of your humidor stats straight to your smartphone.
This patented breakthrough design is the first of its kind, and a revolutionary step forward in hygrometer monitoring, allowing you to see what’s going on inside your humidor anywhere, anytime. It also pops right into the spot where your old Klaro digital hygrometer once sat, and comes in a ton of cool colors and finishes.
The only downside to this design is that it is cloud-dependent, and therefore must have WiFi at all times and an electrical source to keep the Bluetooth bridge powered. You also must have a modern smartphone and must be able to utilize an app.
However, in-app navigation and first-time setup are super straightforward, and pretty much everything within the app is fully customizable. This means that you can fine-tune notifications, adjust temp and humidity thresholds, track cigar rotation schedules, set reminders, and keep a running list of what premium cigar blends you have on hand.
Common Misconceptions About Hygrometers
The act of debunking myths about humidity readings and accuracy has more to do with what you find tolerable, than what is being forced upon you by social media monkeys and self-proclaimed experts.
Just like no car engine operates at its projected power figures all the time, so too do hygrometers have their moments where they don’t perform at 100%. So what if you happen to be off by a degree or two? Minute shifts in humidity happen all the time and happen regardless of whether your hygrometer is giving you humidity readings accurately. The cigars inside will more than likely still smoke just fine as long as there isn’t some sort of double-digit shift in humidity and/or temperature inside.
Cost Considerations in Replacing Hygrometers
If you feel that you do need to replace your hygrometer, either due to continuous malfunctioning headaches or it being compromised in some way, then don’t worry. The average price of the garden variety hygrometer is quite reasonable. That’s not to say that you should opt for the $5 special you found on eBay, but you need not order the $2,000 digital minefield of sensors being offered as well.
We offer the Klaro Valet for a very modest $50, and that’s the most advanced smart hygrometer on the market. So finding something in this price range, with that much tech and customization is going to be a real challenge. Trust us. We’ve looked.
Steps to Replace Your Hygrometer
In order to safely remove an old hygrometer that may be malfunctioning or in need of replacement, merely pop it out of its sconce (some styles require a small screwdriver or must be pried out) and install the new unit. This process can either be super easy or a bit tricky depending upon the location of the hygrometer and the way in which it is mounted, so when in doubt consult a specialist.
As for properly installing and calibrating a new hygrometer, that process is about as simple as it gets. At least when it comes to Klaro products.
Merely remove the plastic battery shield from the back of the hygrometer, and pop it into place and you are set! No need for screwdrivers, clips, gaskets, or glue. The silicone gasket and micro-milled tolerances of the unit guarantee an airtight seal every time without being too snug. And being that every one of our hygrometers comes pre-calibrated straight from the factory, there is no need to fiddle with settings or worry about inaccuracies.
Consulting Experts: When to Seek Professional Advice
For as simple as they may seem, cigar humidors do occasionally require some professional care. This is especially true when an old hygrometer will not calibrate properly, or cannot be removed prior to replacement. So if you are hesitant about calibrating a humidor hygrometer, know that there is no shame in asking for assistance from the pros, especially when it comes to caring for your prized cigar collection.
Conclusión
Hygrometer replacement doesn’t need to be a complicated affair. It also shouldn’t happen often, if ever. But being that this is your first (and oftentimes only) method of calculating humidity levels in your humidor, having a dependable hygrometer is crucial.
That is why every Klaro hygrometer is meticulously crafted for flawless fitment, maximum longevity, and hassle-free calibration. In fact, we have found that the only time our customers replace their hygrometers is when they are looking to upgrade to the Klaro Valet smart hygrometer.
