Humidification Beads: FAQs

I've been using a Cigar Oasis in each of my 3 Diamond Crown Biltmore humidors and they have maintained the RH at + - 2%. The Diamond Crown humidifier as well as passive foam humidifiers held RH at + - 8% on their best days and on bad ones as much as + - 12%. I went to the CO 18 months ago to solve this very serious problem and for the most part it did _ hey a range of 2% RH is a BOTL dream. But here in NJ [sorry] the change in seasons and inside climate control changes played havoc with the RH in my humidors. When the RH in them dropped that was no problem the CO easily handled it by dumping moisture into them _as designed but when the RH rose the CO was useless because it don't lower RH . I was hell bent on getting the CO and never thought about this short coming so for a couple of weeks a year. I had to play prop-the-top continually with 3 humidors and it's a royal pain in the ash. _ enter viper139's beads Viper139’s [Heartfelt] beads made the storing part of our hobby an interesting and satisfying part and not the part you dread. RH goes down they release or put moisture in your humidor, RH goes up they absorb or take moisture out of your humidor, I've replced the CO's 2 weeks ago but because I changed my RH from 70% with the CO's to 65% beads it took a little longer to stabilize, now they're at a happy 66%. OK now I got 3 CO's for sale _cheap_ and now I'm finally using the easiest, most accurate, consistent and IMHO the best available method of humidification there is [having used every type] _ hands down. Score viper139 beads 3 Cigar Oasis 0
 
physiognomy said:
Maybe this sounds a little crazy, but I was wondering what you think about the idea of storing charged beads in cellophane tubes? Rewetting might be a problem (I'll have to open them & trickle some water in), but since it is a (semi)permeable membrane they should be ok to transfer water vapor. Any thoughts/suggestions?
Click to expand...
Viper139 said:
I have never tried that. The only concern I would have is with the limited air circualtion there may be a chance of mold growth. Mold is rare on the beads but this method may not be safe for that reason. If you give it a try let me know how it works out.
Click to expand...

I guess it's been a little while since I tried this out & figured I should give an update... Overall, I think it has been somewhat successful, but there is definitely better ways to store beads in your humi. Initially I noticed that the beads were staying clear & was a little worried about Viper's warning re: possible mold issues. I'm not sure why I didn't think of this, but when Moglman was over for a cigar he suggested that I prick holes in the cello with a pin. Bingo! Pretty much overnight I saw better moisture transfer (some beads went opaque) & I've had to recharge both tubes of beads in the last few days. Eventually I'm going to get myself some perforated plastic tubes (easier rewetting), but for now this will do.
 
MusicMan said:
I've been using a Cigar Oasis in each of my 3 Diamond Crown Biltmore humidors and they have maintained the RH at + - 2%. The Diamond Crown humidifier as well as passive foam humidifiers held RH at + - 8% on their best days and on bad ones as much as + - 12%. I went to the CO 18 months ago to solve this very serious problem and for the most part it did _ hey a range of 2% RH is a BOTL dream. But here in NJ [sorry] the change in seasons and inside climate control changes played havoc with the RH in my humidors. When the RH in them dropped that was no problem the CO easily handled it by dumping moisture into them _as designed but when the RH rose the CO was useless because it don't lower RH . I was hell bent on getting the CO and never thought about this short coming so for a couple of weeks a year. I had to play prop-the-top continually with 3 humidors and it's a royal pain in the ash. _ enter viper139's beads Viper139’s [Heartfelt] beads made the storing part of our hobby an interesting and satisfying part and not the part you dread. RH goes down they release or put moisture in your humidor, RH goes up they absorb or take moisture out of your humidor, I've replced the CO's 2 weeks ago but because I changed my RH from 70% with the CO's to 65% beads it took a little longer to stabilize, now they're at a happy 66%. OK now I got 3 CO's for sale _cheap_ and now I'm finally using the easiest, most accurate, consistent and IMHO the best available method of humidification there is [having used every type] _ hands down. Score viper139 beads 3 Cigar Oasis 0
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words ....the best part of this is now you have one less thing to worry about and that gives you more time to enjoy your cigars instead of babysitting them.
 
physiognomy said:
I guess it's been a little while since I tried this out & figured I should give an update... Overall, I think it has been somewhat successful, but there is definitely better ways to store beads in your humi. Initially I noticed that the beads were staying clear & was a little worried about Viper's warning re: possible mold issues. I'm not sure why I didn't think of this, but when Moglman was over for a cigar he suggested that I prick holes in the cello with a pin. Bingo! Pretty much overnight I saw better moisture transfer (some beads went opaque) & I've had to recharge both tubes of beads in the last few days. Eventually I'm going to get myself some perforated plastic tubes (easier rewetting), but for now this will do.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the follow up, let me know if you have any changes in the future.
 
Advil said:
Had my beads one week now, perfect reading on my hygro. It says 68% but I'm guessing it's just inaccurate. I'm very satisfied with the beads, but still damn confused at how simple it was!

Do you guys spray your beads while they're still in the meshbag or do you pour them out or what?

And in the winter (if you live in a cold place) how often do you recharge?
Click to expand...

I leave them in the tube or section of pantyhose. On the tube, I loosen (back off) the end caps so the the beads are no so tightly packed. not sure if makes a difference. They work great. I also put about 6 drops of bleach in a gal of distilled water to prevent black spots on the beads.
 
Last edited:
This is a minor tip that I discovered this morning while working on one of my humidors. If you are concerned about how to measure beads by the ounce, the little medicine cups packed with cough syrup and Nyquil hold exactly one ounce of beads. Hope that this helps someone.
 
Tuxguy said:
Just ordered my beads tonight, sick of messing with the regular humidifiers. Hope they work out well.
Click to expand...

I can't believe that it took you this long. They work very well. You are going to love them. Did you buy the tubes or the bag?
 
I just ordered MORE beads tonight

another 1/2 and a whole lb (1/5lb total) and 4 half pound bags (for even distribution)

2 .5lb bags in each cooler (well, once the beads get here cooler #2 will be purchased)
 
I bought a 1 oz bead tube a month ago or so and I have it in my 50 ct humidor, but I have left the sponge humidification device that came with the humi in as well, thinking that this way I can leave the humi for longer periods of time without having to recharge the beads (because any extra humidity from the sponge will be absorbed by the beads). Will this work? Its pretty dry here (tops out at about 30% rh) during the winter, and I seem to have a problem getting the humi past 65% with 70% beads, but that might just be because I open it every day. Thanks so much for your help, and look for another order from me in the future!
 
My only concern with that setup would be 50/50 solution from the foam being absorbed into the beads but it has been a long time since I read through this thread.

Good luck!:)
 
longknocker said:
Does anyone care to comment on the advantages/disadvantages of beads vs. Boveda packets?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I care. ;)
Boveda packets, to the best of my knowledge, are not rechargeable. Every few weeks/months you need to add distilled water (depending on your climate) to your beads but they last indefinitely.
 
Viper139 said:
Thanks for passing on the info to him.
Click to expand...

Dave:

Since I already ordered the Boveda seasoning packets and first month supply of packets, how would I go about switching over to your beads after 2 months?

My humidors are small desktop (382.5 cu. in.) and large tower (2304 cu. in.). Should I buy one large tube for 2200 cu. in, and two small tubes of 65RH, one for the middle drawer and one for the lower drawer, placing the large tube in the upper drawer? Also, when I receive your beads in this situation, do I need to moisten them with distilled water, since the humidors should already be at 65%RH?

Thanks!
should al
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top