I do soak mine. In order to make a wrapper conform to the perfecto shape, I have to use a stretchy wrapper like the habano 2000, and I have to get it thoroughly wet. I also noticed earlier this week while at the FX Smith's Sons factory that they take a hand of wrapper and dip the whole thing in a barrel of water and even give it a good swishing in there before going to the stemming machine. So theirs are also wet as can be.
But drying is not a problem. I just let them set out. Depending how damp the weather, they are ready to box from next day to three days down the road. I keep a digital hygrometer inside the box receiving the most recent batch. If damp climbs above 80% in there, I set them all out on a formica board anywhere from half a day to a day, or until they feel right. Then back in the box they go. I use boxes which have a nice beveled seal. I get them at the local cigar store, which sells their empty boxes for a buck. You have to go through a lot of boxes to find the beveled kind just the right size. Ideally, I aim to keep the fresh cigars at 65%-70% humidity. I like to box them at least a month before smoking. I'll snap a pic, here...
Tough to see in the pic; but the hygro reads 71% in there on another rainy day. I need to pick another dry day and lay them all out for a few hours. There are 34 in that box, and three more in the press ready to wrap tonight. Once the box is full, the hygro comes out, and the box joins the other boxes inside the cooler holding home rolled. That also has a hygro kicking round in it.
It's not mold. It's fermentation that bugs me. That's what makes them go sour if I don't dry them off right away. Hate that sour. Takes months of rest to get rid of that ammonia.
Eastern VA -- we ought to herf up some day and compare rolling methods. How far are you from Newark Dull-Aware?
