A hygrometer is a vital part of any humidor. After all, the hygrometer shows you the temperature and humidity inside your humidor. And what good is a humidor if it isn’t maintaining an ideal climate for your cigars? In other words, an accurate hygrometer is of utmost importance for any cigar collection. Luckily, a hygrometer’s accuracy can be checked using everyday household items!

What You’ll Need for a Hygrometer Salt Test

While this simple test can be done using items commonly found around the house, it’s still worth checking to make sure you have everything needed beforehand. To perform the “salt test” on your hygrometer, you’ll need the following:
Ziplock Bag
Plastic Bottle Cap
Small Amount of Salt
Water (Preferably Distilled)

How to Perform the Salt Test on Your Hygrometer

First place some salt in the bottle cap. You’ll want to put in enough salt so you can’t see the underside of the cap, so fill it about halfway. Next you will want to dampen the salt, but not drench it to the point where water is pooling above it. Once you have a bottle cap filled with moist salt, place it in the Ziplock bag with your hygrometer and seal it for eight hours.

Since damp salt exists at 75% humidity, that is how humid the inside of the bag should be after eight hours. If you return after the allotted time and see a reading other than 75% on your hygrometer, you will need to adjust it accordingly.

More About This Test

It is generally recommended that this test be done every few months to ensure that you’re getting accurate readings inside your humidor. This test should also be conducted in a temperature that is as close to 70 degrees Fahrenheit as possible. Along with being simple and inexpensive, this handy test also works whether you have a digital or analog hygrometer!