I initially started keeping my sticks at the 70% because that is what is accepted to be the "norm"...70/70...but I have found that a lower humidity is better...for my needs at least. I'm usually around 63-65. There have been times where it has dropped into the upper 50's but I recently purchased an Oasis and I have had no problems since.
Being that I absorbed a quite a bit of thermo dynamics in my collegiate carreer, the concept of RH is fairly easy to me but may not be for others...here's a quick explination
(CAUTION ---- MATH)
At any given air temperature, there is a certian amount of volume of water that the air is capeable of absorbing. This is known and there are charts and stuff and this is called the vapor density. We hear about this all the time on the weather when they tak about the dew point, and we see it when there are water droplets on the grass and what not. This is when the relative humidity is at 100%.
Because we cigar smokers have a very specific and small window to deal with, I'll use typical Humidor values in the sample
(try to ignore the units..absolute humidity is measured in gm/m3 {cubed})
Lets say that you try to keep keep the humi at 68 °F and a RH of 65%
At 68 °F the saturated vapor density(100% absolute humidity relative to temperature RH) is around 17gm/m3. So if you want 65% just multiply 17 x .65 and you get around 11gm/m3 actual humidity in the air. Now the important part. If absolute(actual) humidity remains constant, and the temperature falls the RH will skyrocket. Given that we use such a small window in our humi's if we were to keep that 11gm/m3 actual humidity, the dew point(where water starts condensing) is actually about 55 °F(100%RH).
The higher the temperature, the more water vapor air can absorb. when the temperature drops the air can hold less water vapor, thus a different relative humidity. If your temperature is 68°F and RH is 65% then actual humidity is 11gm/m3. That being said, if you keep your temperature at 60°F and RH is 65% then actual humidity is around 8.6gm/m3
Now what does this all mean....I dont' know. The hygrometers that we use measure RH, so odds are there's no way that we will ever get to the point where water is condensing on the interior of our humis. As to what temperature is better, who knows. I personally don't have the ability to control temperature, other than placing my desktop in a warmer or cooler part of the house...and that works for me. I don't believe that it would matter unless you are going to age cigars....I don't have the ability to keep a cigar that long....I can't help myself....I just smoke them as fast as I get them.
My suggestion is to find a RH that you like, sit back, relax and enjoy your smoke and let your oasis do all the work.....as long as it's accurate...
