Humidors and high Temperatures in San Jose, CA

I've used non-electrical humidors and and live in San Jose, California (northern california) area and recently picked up some hygrometers to really see what's happening in my humidors.

Never thought much about the 70/70 rule and recently also started trying out Boveda and my humidors at around 66-70% humidity, but the temperature has been at 80F for the last few weeks in my place. Looking at historical data online it's typically hit over 80F at least 6 months out of the year. I've never noticed a beetle infestation yet! But have read that anything over 75F is not great.

Do others in the area use electrical to keep things cooler? Or stick with non-electrical and disregard the temperature for the area?

Temperature affects relative humidity. Do you have some level of climate control in your home, even if it's that one cool dark room?

If you're purely worried about beetles, you can freeze your sticks.

80 is definitely a bit high especially with your Rh topping out at 70%. Like The Gunner above mentioned a dark room or closet would help.

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I have an electronic hydro I move around through various humidors if I think they are running high or low. I have found in high humid weather the basement is a good spot for them. Not that beetle are not a problem, but I have found them to be not as common of an issue as the internet leads you to believe. If you are having trouble with high humidity you could always try a lower rh boveda or heartfealt beads. In extreme cases passive dehumidifying beads for safes can help draw the humidity down. The redneck option is also available. leave the lid open and see if you can dry it out a bit. Cigars are petty hardy and can take some abuse. I believe it was @AlanS or @allusred had found a fiver they left lying in a shed for months recently and smoke pretty well from the feed back we got.

Thanks all. I might try moving them to the garage as I'll do some testing to determine temperature/AH there if it looks better. The safe and closet ideas sounds good too by placing them in something that remains cooler. I'll do some testing around the house.

I might have misunderstood some of the comments or gave the wrong impression. My house is currently sitting at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit and 49% AH with one of my hygrometers. In the humidor I used Boveda packets and I was able to raise the humidity to 66-70% RH but it maintained the same temperature as the house temperature but usually 1 degree higher in the humidor. My issue is the temperature and not the humidity from what it seems to me.

I will be contrary a little bit. Except for the risk of beetles, which as Ryan @Tombstone pointed out, is not near as prevalent as presented, higher temps is not really an issue.
Consider the tropical origin of our cigars where it around 80 nearly all year. The tobacco is aged in non-climate controlled barns, sometimes for years. Rapid fluctuations in temps will pose a greater problem. Seasonal fluctuations should be OK.
How are your cigars tasting, burning?
If you are satisfied, you can have comfort in leaving them as they are if it is reasonably stable.

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Originally Posted by Nature

I will be contrary a little bit. Except for the risk of beetles, which as Ryan @Tombstone pointed out, is not near as prevalent as presented, higher temps is not really an issue.
Consider the tropical origin of our cigars where it around 80 nearly all year. The tobacco is aged in non-climate controlled barns, sometimes for years. Rapid fluctuations in temps will pose a greater problem. Seasonal fluctuations should be OK.
How are your cigars tasting, burning?
If you are satisfied, you can have comfort in leaving them as they are if it is reasonably stable.

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Good point. I recently made some changes in humidor and humidification so wanted to make sure I did things with the best outcome. Your points are well taken and make sense. Thanks for the input.

Temp & humidity...Cigars.
Smoked a box of Romeo y Julittia Coronitas and box of Alhambra Coronas plus most of a box of Tabacalera Sumatra Coronas here on vacation so far without any problems. All kept without and temp or Humidity control. Most burnt at night, a few of those in fretted heavy rain, sheltered ‘neath the trees. All these cigars kept in the opened boxes with Temp ranging from i6 to 27 degrees Celsius, overnight. Just smoked one a few minutes ago Temp 33 Celsius Humidity 65 percent.this afternoon, Sometimes the Humidity at Night as been 93 percent. Remember smoking cigars in Cuba when the Temp was 93 degrees Fahrheit and the Humidity at 93 percent.No problems then. Always felt that cigars in proper condition smoked very well indeed in Cuba and Philippines without any Temp or Humidity control.My thinking has been that Cigars purchased and smoked in the countries of Origen smoked OK without any control of Temps or Humidity.
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I'm in agreement with @Nature - I've got a small winedor that I keep some of my cigars in (mostly singles and 5ers), and then a large overflow plastic bin that's airtight like tupperware. Obviously, I don't have temp control in the plastic bin. I keep everything in the basement. So, I've got some cigars resting in a constant 60 degree environment, and others just sitting in my basement. I would imagine that temps fluctuate no more than 5 or so degrees during the day, although it's always above the imaginary 70 degree rule right now. I see no difference in how cigars perform when taken from either source. I have a hard rule of 3 months rest for every online purchase, and I use 65RH Bovedas. 98 percent of my cigars burn great, so I don't really fret too much about it anymore. If you like the way your cigars are burning, then just relax and enjoy them!

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Originally Posted by pdude

Thanks all. I might try moving them to the garage as I'll do some testing to determine temperature/AH there if it looks better. The safe and closet ideas sounds good too by placing them in something that remains cooler. I'll do some testing around the house.

I might have misunderstood some of the comments or gave the wrong impression. My house is currently sitting at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit and 49% AH with one of my hygrometers. In the humidor I used Boveda packets and I was able to raise the humidity to 66-70% RH but it maintained the same temperature as the house temperature but usually 1 degree higher in the humidor. My issue is the temperature and not the humidity from what it seems to me.

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Point being the two are relative one to the other, good luck

Thanks all! Great advice.