For you pumidor types

[MarshalN]

I've seen quite a few of you now who made pumidors or ordered them, now I have a question...

I write a column for a Chinese tea magazine, mostly because the editor, a friend of mine, wants somebody living outside China to write it. I think homemade pumidors will make an interesting column. Would it be possible to, say, for you to give me a few pictures that I might be able to use, and if possible, for me to use the info you have provided to write my column? No names will be attached, of course. I just want to talk about how foreigners can be quite dedicated and are, in fact, trying really hard to make it so that they can age puerh in a better setting.

[Salsero]

Mine is mostly in plastic storage drawers from Wal-Mart. I'm pretty sure they are at least Made in China.

[TIM]

Large Rubbermaid clear tupperwares is my refine aging pumidor. And I found out large kimchi jar (10 gallon and up) and Thousand-years-old-eggs earthen ware container (hold up to 8 tongs) maintain humidity very well also.

[Drax]

Sure, I went the cabinet+humidifier method. I will try to get some pictures up soon...

[heatwaves]

I've tried everything. I'm located in Southern California, so I definitely need a boost in my humidity, which is normally in the 40-50% range. My first attempt at storage was simply a dresser drawer with two violin humidifiers (like the one seen here: http://www.music123.com/Dampit-Violin-H ... 6.Music123). That didn't work to increase the humidity more than 2%.

I then tried damp sponges and water bowls, which led to a quantity of mold that resembled a biological attack from an extremist group.

My puerh moved to various locations in my house with every creative humidity device I read about in here... mostly humidifiers and the "dreaded" medusa humifier (i.e. a 2 L soda bottle with dozens of mop strings hanging down). Basically everything either failed to work, had a high percentage of disaster or was exceptionally time-intensive.

Finally, I placed all of my pu in "The Gimp's Room". "The Gimp's Room" is a small, 6' x 3' room under my stairs. It's dark, relatively cool, maintains constant humidity and is my best current solution for storing puerh (and sadomasochistic slaves in leather garb). I use two baking pans lined with a damp towel to increase the humidity about 6%. I replace these weekly. Under these conditions, my humidity is about 56-58%. I realize that this is a far cry from the 65-70% ideal, but I'll take what I can get at this point.

I'd love to buy an actual pumidor, like the gentleman from NC, but the cost/value ratio is just a bit too much for me.

Now that I think about it, I should stop being lazy and post some photo's of "The Gimp's Room." When he's not sleeping, that is.

[shogun89]

I ditched my pumidor after becoming paranoid with mold thoughts. I now store in a closet and struggle to keep a winter humidity of just 40%, Spring and summer is where I am saved with 70-80% humidity. Anyway, anyone have ideas with boosting humidity in my closet? Just a big water tray perhaps?

[Ti]

I ditched my pumidor after becoming paranoid with mold thoughts. I now store in a closet and struggle to keep a winter humidity of just 40%, Spring and summer is where I am saved with 70-80% humidity. Anyway, anyone have ideas with boosting humidity in my closet? Just a big water tray perhaps?

I remember seeing this a while back:

http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... ght=medusa

[tony shlongini]

Every time I see a large clay flower pot I think that it would hold many bings.

Never tried it, though.

[TeaEye]

I just made this post yesterday about my new contraption.

http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=8381

You are welcome to use it in your article. My one request would be to get a copy of the magazine.

Let me know if you would like higher resolution pictures.

Nice blog, by the way.

[shogun89]

Considering others around here have made some pretty elaborate mechanisms I am not sure if mine will even qualify. But if you would like another example for it please tell me and I will get some pics.

[MarshalN]

I'm pretty interested in any and all types, actually.

[shogun89]

Well, heres the link to my build. There are some pics in there, If you want to use it, I could always get better pics of course.

http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... c&start=15

[TIM]

I'm pretty interested in any and all types, actually.

For refine aging at least 3 years and up
1. Clean tub, aired for a week and line with bamboo for another week covered.
2. Putting moist bamboo in the tub and cover, until meter reads 65-70. Take a week to stabilize.
3. Put Treasure in. Cover and read meter in 3 days. until meter reads 65-70. Sealed and forget about it.
4. Check on it every season.

[hop_goblin]

Its just my humble opinion that you would want your humidty to drop for atleast 4 months to emulate winter. I would roughly suggest 30% to 40%. Even in China they let their humidity drop to allow the pu to dehumidify. A constant 70% will certainly speed up the aging process but then you risk infections and well "wet stored" stuff.

[TIM]

Its just my humble opinion that you would want your humidty to drop for atleast 4 months to emulate winter. I would roughly suggest 30% to 40%. Even in China they let their humidity drop to allow the pu to dehumidify. A constant 70% will certainly speed up the aging process but then you risk infections and well "wet stored" stuff.

Thanks for your concern, Hop. I think where our location play a major part in the "adjustment" on humidity. The area I keep my storage is around 60s F temp. year round, and besides summer, the humidity will not exceed 50s (very dry). So low humidity is always my concern. If the temp. is cool with around 60-70% humidity, the risk of infections is low and it will be a far cry for "wet store". (You should see the Storages condition in large Hong Kong companies : )

As long as your tea are good quality (clean factory, no infection before adding to your collection) and its not cooked, the molding is lightly to happen.

Cigar on the other hands are very sensitive. If its too cold, it will not mature, and if the humidity go over low 70s, it will mold. So the delicate balance between 60s-low 70s is the key.

sidenotes: after 3-5 years. The idea humidity should be around 65%. 30 yrs+ 55-60%.