# Winter flute care **URL:** \ **Category:** Irish Flute\ **Created:** [October 6, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262 "2014-10-06T18:55:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://s3.pfaffmanager.com/sites/chiffandfipple/original/2X/7/7516c54a201bacdecd474444429ad1b7ab08da82.png) [@system](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/1 "2014-10-06T18:55:47Z")
Hey guys. I got a brand new flute over the Summer, and it has been well treated for so far, but I am worried about the Winter. I live in a pretty cold place, and the only heat I have is a little space heater or a fireplace downstairs. My house inside is around 40F in the Winter with the heater on, and I am worried about my flute. Anyone have any recommendations? Also, should I oil it more or less in the Winter? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Cathy\_Wilde](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/cathy_wilde/32/556_2.png) [@Cathy\_Wilde](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Cathy_Wilde)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/2 "2014-10-06T20:41:13Z")
Wow! And I whinge about 62 F! Have you considered a nice Delrin flute? Or maybe working on your tinwhistle this winter? Okay, seriously … in my experience, the hardest thing for flutes in the cold is our warm breath going thru them. The less you can “shock” the wood with a wide temperature differential of warm air inside and cold air outside, the better. Keep the flute up your sleeve for several minutes before starting to play, and whenever you take a break. I think that would be the biggest area of concern. Humidity is also good. RH of around 60% seems to be ideal for most flutes. I don’t know how you’re going to accomplish this; I guess you could use a humidor or or a box with humidifiers in it, though I hope it never gets below 32F in your house! I suspect you’ll need to oil it a fair bit, as you’re going to have a lot of condensation action happening. You may want to warm the oil a little before applying, too. Maybe you could put a small bottle of the stuff in your shirt or jeans pocket for a few minutes? As for frequency, I generally plan to oil when my breath condensation’s no longer beading in the bore, or it seems the wood’s starting to absorb a lot of moisture at the tenon-ends. If you oil regularly and then use a silk cloth to dry your flute after you play, eventually a little oil will build up on the cloth. This will kind of give you a light oiling every time you go to put the flute away. This could be all you need after a while. If you swab lightly and leave a tiny bit of moisture in the bore that might help keep the wood from drying out too much. Don’t oil the flute after you play when it’s wet, yadayadayada … I imagine the oil will just gum up in the cold anyway. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![pmcallis](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@pmcallis](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/pmcallis)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/3 "2014-10-06T20:49:04Z")
Hi pipersgrip, I don’t think cool temperatures are a problem (above freezing that is 🙂 ) but humidity levels are crucial during the winter. Indoor heating tends to reduce humidity levels significantly so you should keep your wooden flute in a humidity controlled climate like a plastic container. You can then keep the humidity level relatively constant. Experts can correct me, but I suggest a 50% +/- humidity level. hope this helps, Paul ---
**Author:** ![jim\_stone](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/f4b2a3/32.png) [@jim\_stone](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/jim_stone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 11:12pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/4 "2014-10-06T23:12:03Z")
Agree with the last post about humidity. Keep it at at least 50. When it gets down too low (e.g. 35, the flute is liable to crack). Get a hygrometer so you can measure humidity. One of the best things you can do is get a humidifier for the room where you keep the flute, and humidify that room, which is good for you too. You can get a good but still inexpensive humidifier at places like Walgreens. ---
**Author:** ![Caspermilktoast](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Caspermilktoast](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Caspermilktoast)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/5 "2014-10-07T03:28:05Z")
I keep my flutes in a cigar humidor, they stay at 60-65% humidity. I think the year round controlled environment helps. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://s3.pfaffmanager.com/sites/chiffandfipple/original/2X/7/7516c54a201bacdecd474444429ad1b7ab08da82.png) [@system](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 4:50am UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/6 "2014-10-07T04:50:29Z")
Thanks for the advice all! I guess humidity is the key here for the Winter. Fortunately, I love the occasional cigar, so a humidor will be a nice investment and an excuse to get some cigars 😃 . I really appreciate the great advice! Jon ---
**Author:** ![Steampacket](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Steampacket](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Steampacket)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 8:06am UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/7 "2014-10-07T08:06:12Z")
Yes, humidity is extremely important if the flute is living in a dry environment. Here in southern Sweden it kan get very dry during the winter months so I keep my flutes humidified in their boxes with a piece of moist sponge material and place a small digital hydrometer in each box to check the humidity, I keep it between 60 and 72. Don’t get mold as the boxes are not airtight. I seldom oil, blackwood doesn’t seem to need it. Not sure about cocus wood so I oil maybe once a year if I remember. Keep your flute humidified by playing it and keeping it in a humidified box/case, warm the headjoint if lined, next to your body before playing if the flute is cold. ---
**Author:** ![tin\_tin](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/tin_tin/32/232_2.png) [@tin\_tin](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/tin_tin)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/8 "2014-10-07T14:24:28Z")
I have one of these in my case, and it works a charm: [http://www.humistat.com/Humistat\_Model-1.htm](http://www.humistat.com/Humistat_Model-1.htm) Humidity in the case stays at 50-60%, while ambient humidity is usually 20-40%. ---
**Author:** ![JJW](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/jjw/32/2000_2.png) [@JJW](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/JJW)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/9 "2014-10-09T15:02:07Z")
Casey Burns started an informative thread on this topic a while back: [https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/wintertime-indoor-humidity-alert/79547/1](https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/wintertime-indoor-humidity-alert/79547/1) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://s3.pfaffmanager.com/sites/chiffandfipple/original/2X/7/7516c54a201bacdecd474444429ad1b7ab08da82.png) [@system](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/10 "2014-10-09T19:51:47Z")
Very nice info by Casey! And I am definitely going to purchase one of those humistats, thanks for the link. ---
**Author:** ![brotherwind](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/brotherwind/32/1073_2.png) [@brotherwind](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/brotherwind)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 10:08am UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/11 "2014-12-07T10:08:10Z")
> [@Tintin](#): > > I have one of these in my case, and it works a charm: > [http://www.humistat.com/Humistat\_Model-1.htm](http://www.humistat.com/Humistat_Model-1.htm) > Humidity in the case stays at 50-60%, while ambient humidity is usually 20-40%. Tell me, what I am doing wrong: I put a humistat with just one hole open in a transparent plastic box, approximately the size of a flute case together with two hygrometers. After two days I get a reading of around 80% humidity and after a week 90%. Now I feel a bit reluctant to put it in my flute case together with the flute. Any suggestions? Best, Moritz ---
**Author:** ![Caspermilktoast](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Caspermilktoast](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Caspermilktoast)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 2:02pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/12 "2014-12-07T14:02:07Z")
I use these in a cigar humidor [http://www.cigarsinternational.com/humidification/38271/humi-care-crystal-gel-humidification/#p-19706](http://www.cigarsinternational.com/humidification/38271/humi-care-crystal-gel-humidification/#p-19706) They work really well. I keep all my pipe reeds inside as well. The crystals keep the RH very stable. ---
**Author:** ![libraryman](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/libraryman/32/1592_2.png) [@libraryman](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/libraryman)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/13 "2014-12-07T14:18:25Z")
Hi Brotherwind, Your hygrometer may be giving you a false reading. I keep about 3 different types in my mandolin case I modified for my flutes and they all give different readings. Right now I am getting 45, 55, and 60 percent. So I kind of average them. But relying on one is a bit of a hit and miss. So you might want to double-check with another hygrometer. ---
**Author:** ![chas](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/chas/32/115_2.png) [@chas](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/chas)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/14 "2014-12-07T15:03:36Z")
Another thing to consider is warming the flute up. In the words of Peter Noy, “Never blow into a cold flute.” In the winter (My flute room is probably 55 F), I usually put the head under my arm for a few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![brotherwind](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/brotherwind/32/1073_2.png) [@brotherwind](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/brotherwind)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/15 "2014-12-07T18:31:33Z")
> [@libraryman](#): > > Hi Brotherwind, > > Your hygrometer may be giving you a false reading. I keep about 3 different types in my mandolin case I modified for my flutes and they all give different readings. Right now I am getting 45, 55, and 60 percent. So I kind of average them. But relying on one is a bit of a hit and miss. So you might want to double-check with another hygrometer. I put two hygrometers in the box. Both give about the same reading. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![janmarie](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/janmarie/32/1750_2.png) [@janmarie](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/janmarie)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/16 "2014-12-08T17:14:46Z")
Tintin,thanks for the info on the Humistat. They are just what I need and have looked for awhile now for something like that for my flutes. ---
**Author:** ![waltsweet](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/waltsweet/32/444_2.png) [@waltsweet](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/waltsweet)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 11:37pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/17 "2014-12-22T23:37:17Z")
Yes, the relative humidity. When Terry does a test on scientific principles, you can count on it. Once, he shocked the wood with a great temperature differential (freezer to hot breath), but the flute did not crack. My Dad used to have a problem with low humidity: the heating system was shared with a large wooden dancehall, where the moisture dissipated practically to nil when the furnace was on, during the winter. Later, he began storing the flutes above the humidifier. Problem solved ! Even when the lumber is force-dried, months of storage a dry room will make the wood shrink and crack afterward. Note that _Relative Humidity_ is the significant factor: If you have a dry house, then the relative humidity will be higher in a cold room (that’s good) and lower in a warm room (that’s bad), generally speaking. A hygrometer will help. Walt Sweet ---
**Author:** ![DianIsis](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@DianIsis](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/DianIsis)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 12:50pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/winter-flute-care/91262/18 "2016-12-28T12:50:07Z")
[THREAD REVIVAL - MOD] I’m a brand new flute player. I’m very confused by the recommendations in this thread. I found this thread by searching the term “Moisture build-up”, as my Native American-style flute tends to be plagued by it after just a couple minutes of playing. It seems I can’t get my flute dry enough. I can’t imagine this type of flute should be kept in humid conditions. So, what types of wood flutes should be? I also play a quena. Perhaps that one should be kept in a humidor?