SMOKE Reviews Humidors
(continued)
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Premier Humidifier
100 cigar capacity
retails $39.95
Climmax Humidification,
Portland, Oregon
888-CLI-MMAX
www.climmax.com
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The Premier Humidifier uses a modified amorphous silica gel to actively absorb and release moisture along a hysterisis loop, maintaining a 70% relative humidity environment. The Premier works using only water and is recharged by inserting a syringe of water into a fill hole on the back side of its gold, metallic case.
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Likes:
- Robust. Solves humidity problems where other humidifiers fail, ideal for problem humidors
- Impressive humidity control
- Little maintenance required and easy to fill
- No special chemicals needed
Dislikes:
- Difficult to tell when it is time to recharge with water
- Unit is a little thick and somewhat heavier than competition
- Needs to be refilled more frequently than other humidifiers
If you are having a problem with your humidor’s environment then the Premier by Climmax Humidification has the solution. It has the ability to provide a 70% relative humidity environment where other humidifiers have failed. With its gold-toned metallic case, and easy to fill construction, the Premier will compliment any humidor, regardless of price. Its ability to control humidity so precisely often overshadows the need to refill it more often than other humidifiers.
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Precision 70
100 cigar capacity
retails $39.95
Special humidifying solution needed
Credo,
Marseille, France
33-04-91-854-636
www.credo.fr
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Constructed of a plastic case with a high-density green foam insert, Credo’s secret to humidity control lies in its physico-chemical solution that is added to the Precision 70 with distilled water. The solution helps the humidifier maintain a 70% relative humidity environment by limiting the evaporation of water as humidity rises.
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Likes:
- Time-tested humidity control
- Widely available
- Industry standard
- Nice looking package
Dislikes:
- Needs proprietary special solution or mix of distilled water/PG to function properly
- Overuse of PG can plug element.
- High price considering components
- Difficult to refill without overfilling with water
What can you say about the Credo Precision 70 that isn’t already known. It is the grandfather of all humidifiers. Its functionality has withstood a couple of decades of scrutiny. There are more Credo humidifiers in the market place than all other humidifiers combined. A wide-range of less expensive “Credo clones” flood the market.
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Mr. Moisture 100
100 cigar capacity
retails $24.95
Special humidifying solution needed
Humidtech
888-MR-MOIST
www.mrmoisture.com
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Mr. Moisture uses a plastic case with a foam insert. Relying on a special-care wetting solution, Mr. Moisture maintains a 70% relative humidity environment by controlling the evaporation of moisture.
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Likes:
- Nice looking humidifier
- Lower cost than comparable sized Credo
- Uses time tested technology
Dislikes:
- Requires special solution or mix of distilled water/PG to function properly
- Overuse of PG can cause the unit to become plugged
- Overfilling can be an issue
- Difficult bringing humidity down when it gets too high
Mr. Moisture uses a similar technology as many other “green foam” humidifiers. It relies on a proprietary special solution to maintain proper humidity. The price is very competitive when compared to other traditional foam and solution humidifiers, and its package is very nice looking.
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Diamond Crown Humidifier
100 cigar capacity
retails $55.00
J.C. Newman Cigar Company,
Tampa, Florida
800-477-1884
www.diamondcrown.com
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The Diamond Crown humidification system uses a special wicking material and a large water reservoir to maintain a 70% relative humidity environment for a long period of time. The DC Humidifier has adjustable vents on the outside of its case that allows the user to open and close them to get more precise humidity control.
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Likes:
- Easy to adjust using vents
- No special chemicals needed to operate
- Large water reservoir requiring less refilling
- Customer service is outstanding
Dislikes:
- Reports of fill cap leaking onto cigars, issue is currently being addressed
- High price
Diamond Crown is one of the most respected names in the cigar business and the Diamond Crown Humidifier adds legitimacy to their legacy. Large water reservoir and adjustable vents make the DC humidifier easy to use and keeps maintenance to a minimum. The issue associated with leaking caps has been addressed and a second generation is now available.
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Oshkosh Premier Humidifier
100 cigar capacity
retails $49.95
Oshkosh Cigar Accessories,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
888-811-3850
www2.viaweb.com
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The Oshkosh Premier uses a special wicking material inside a plastic case to release moisture consistently into the humidor’s interior. It has a 10oz. water reservoir, allowing it to go several months before having to refill the humidifier.
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Likes:
- No special chemicals needed to function properly
- Can go a long time before refilling with water is necessary
- Nice looking unit
Dislikes:
- Higher price than other humidifiers
- Difficult to maintain 70% humidity in problem humidors
The Oshkosh Premier is a very nice looking humidifier that compliments their fine line of humidors. With a large water reservoir, it can go a long period of time without needing re-hydration. Even with its large reservoir, it fits well into most humidors.
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Paradigm PS3
125 cigar capacity
retails $59.95
Paradigm Humidor Company,
Muskego, Wisconsin
800-708-4412
www.lioncrest.com
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The PS3 borrows technology from the aerospace industry. It is made from an aluminum case with a special “surgical sponge” that wicks from the inside out. This gives a more consistent evaporation. The PS3 will go an extended time between refilling, due to its large water reservoir.
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Likes:
- Very sleek appearance
- No special chemicals needed to function properly
- Large water reservoir requiring less frequent filling
Dislikes:
- High cost
- Require submersion in water to refill to extra time is needed to shake excess moisture.
- Reports of exaggerated capacity, upgrading to optional, larger-vented end-caps may be necessary to get adequate humidity.
The PS3 humidifier from Paradigm Humidor is truly a unique humidifier. It is a very attractive unit and can go long periods between re-hydration. In humidors that are not airtight, the Paradigm reportedly struggles to maintain 70% relative humidity unless larger optional end-caps are installed. The Paradigm is available in three sizes.
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Humifier
200 cigar capacity
retails $40.00
Western Humidor,
Las Vegas, NV
800-776-0096
www.westernhumidor.com
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The Humidifier is designed to work using only distilled water; no other special chemicals are needed. It uses a specially designed sponge to release moisture to maintain a 70% relative humidity condition inside the humidor.
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Likes:
- Price is attractive for the size of the humidifier
- No special chemicals needed to function properly
- Company will stand behind its products
Dislikes:
- Tends to release moisture less gradually than comparable sized foam humidifiers
- Possible over-humidification, especially in warm, high humidity climates
- Requires frequent refilling
Western Humidor’s Humidifier is one of the few sponge-type humidifiers that use distilled water without the need of other chemicals. This makes it a nice alternative if you like sponge humidifiers but want to keep away from chemical solutions.
So there you have it, a comparison of the different humidifiers that are available to cigar smokers. Today, there are many more choices that at any time in the past. Even within an individual manufacturer’s line, there may be several alternative humidifiers to choose from depending on the size and functionality of your humidor.
So remember, the next time you spend a lot of money on your new humidor and cigars to fill it, you better have a good humidifier if you want to keep your cigars in good smoking condition.
Roy Seeman
Richard Kraighman
SMOKE - Special Online Feature
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