Study 1 - Comparing HumiForm to Pouches

Day 9 - We are suspecting that seasoning with HumiForm may not require achieving 84% relative humidity AND may not even be necessary since there appears to be adequate moisture present to both season a humidor and humidify cigars at the same time. We asked a major pouch manufacturer some questions about their products.

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​1. Why is it necessary to season a new humidor to 84% RH over 2 weeks (i.e., what’s special about 84%)? They didn't really answer the question, but did respond their pouches are designed and formulated to provide moisture directly to the cellular structure of the wood in a humidor, and that their method provides more moisture directly to the wood than other seasoning methods, such as wiping surfaces with a distilled water soaked rag. 

2. At the end of seasoning when transitioning from two 84% RH pouches to the final pouch, say 72% RH, how long should it take to drop from 84% to 72%?  Do I wait until 72% RH is achieved before inserting cigars into the humidor? Their response is that after seasoning, the humidor most likely will not be at 84%RH, and that most humidors get to the low to mid 70% RH range.  The claimed there is no need to "worry about your hygrometer during seasoning, the ambient air RH is not the moisture content of the wood in your humidor." They went on to explain that once seasoning is completed and the storage pouches are inserted, they will begin adding moisture to your cigars and it will take time for your cigars to absorb the proper amount of moisture.  They also mentioned that if the cigars are too moist, their pouches will also work to absorb any excess moisture - that their product will never over humidify past the RH listed on the pouches.