Junking My Rectangular Humidifier

**godfather** · 10-25-2005, 11:14 AM

So I thought I could make it work, and like everyone else, I'm done with this thing.

I get fluctuations of 71-75% humidity. My end goal is to get a 'stable humidity' here.

Looking at heartfelt industries's site, I'm going to go with a the aluminum rectangular humidifier.

My question (and I've tried searching on this site, maybe not hard enough) - What makes the beads so much more stable than the conventional 50/50 solution + sponge? I've never understood 'technically' what makes them so much better. Will they really keep at a steady humidity?

Are there any drawbacks to getting the 65% humidity beads v.s. 70% ones? I'm probably going to go with the 65% ones.

Thanks for any input ...

**mithril** · 10-25-2005, 11:21 AM

the way the beads work is that they hold the water and either puts humidity into the air or take it out. they find the happy medium and keep it at the 65 or 70% humidity level. if there is no humidity in the air they will not work as well as if the beads are saturated in water they will not work. hence why have a hygrometer is still important. the level you get is mostly prefrence. some say cigars smoke better at 65 than 70.

anyone correct me if i'm wrong

**stjohnroe** · 10-25-2005, 11:29 AM

To be honest I think that they work in exactly the same manner as 50/50 and oasis, however because of the nature of beads the surface area should be greater thus improving the effectiveness.
I am now using tubs of gel in conjunction with traditional humidifiers and they work really well. I use the old humidifiers for topping up water reservoires and the gel stops the whole thing over humidifying.
I am now maintainng a nice stable 68% though I still get some temporary (+/- 3%) variations due to temprature changes, but I can see no way of avoiding that until I build a wine cellar or invest in a cigar fridge.

**stjohnroe** · 10-25-2005, 11:34 AM

Oh, and why dont you simply replace the sponge or oasis in your old humidifier with beads?

**BigMacFU** · 10-25-2005, 11:47 AM

What Johnny Roe said, don't ditch the plastic case, just the florist foam. With some cheese cloth or pantyhose, you can turn that rectangular plastic into a bead holder. I did that many moons ago, I think I posted on it, but i sure as heck ain't going digging on a search right now

**godfather** · 10-25-2005, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the information guys....

I also found a good FAQ from the man himself on CP:

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/inde...11600&hl=beads

**Mazeman** · 10-25-2005, 12:18 PM

Also, I wouldn't expect absolutely rock-stable humidification with ANY system. I have the 70% beads, and I noticed that the humidity runs a little high after I moisten them, and a little low (even though many are still clear) when I need to moisten them.
Yet, it is the most fool-proof system I've seen.
Also, it seems the more beads you use, the greater stability you can achieve. You can't use too many.

**cls515** · 10-25-2005, 01:27 PM

I have heard that propylene glycol can alter the taste of a cigar. I do not know, because I have never used the stuff. I use the beads and would not want to use anything else. PG is a fungicide, and fungal cells are similar to human cells. I have read over the internet that PG is an irritant for humans. So I don't use that stuff.

**nhcigarfan** · 10-25-2005, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by cls515

I have heard that propylene glycol can alter the taste of a cigar. I do not know, because I have never used the stuff. I use the beads and would not want to use anything else. PG is a fungicide, and fungal cells are similar to human cells. I have read over the internet that PG is an irritant for humans. So I don't use that stuff.

I think you might be getting Propylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol mixed up. PG is in all sorts of stuff, toothpaste, deoderant, food coloring etc. Where as Ethylene can screw up your blood filitering organs and nervous system.

**cigarsarge** · 10-25-2005, 02:44 PM

Trust me...65% beads are the only way to go. They are stable and just need refreshing every month or so.

**Bubba -NJ** · 10-25-2005, 02:53 PM

That link answers just about every question I have for the beads .

**godfather** · 10-25-2005, 02:53 PM

Thanks fellas...my order has been placed for the 65% beads. Hopefully they'll go out today...really looking forward to having a MUCH more painless setup and to see the difference with my cigars when they stabilize in the 65% environment.

**cls515** · 10-25-2005, 05:57 PM

NH, ethylene and propylene glycol are similar. PG is "generally regarded as safe". More PG is needed to show the effects ethylene glycol show at lower concentrations. Either way, I'll stear clear.

**hp-^** · 10-25-2005, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by cls515

NH, ethylene and propylene glycol are similar. PG is "generally regarded as safe". More PG is needed to show the effects ethylene glycol show at lower concentrations. Either way, I'll stear clear.

Ah, crap :(. . .

So that stuff affects the taste of your c-gars? :O

**stjohnroe** · 10-26-2005, 04:18 AM

People have been using this stuff for years and I have heard no complaints about it affecting the flavour of cigars.

FlyingBanana · 03-20-2006, 05:47 AM

Guess what? Propylene glycol is toxic in small doses. All the things that a lot of people use on a daily basis contain tiny amounts of this stuff, and that adds up to one big dose at the end of a day.

As an example, if you google "dangers of propylene glycol," you will find hundreds upon hundreds of studies that show propylene glycol as a toxic substance, and one we should avoid. Has anyone ever thought about what anti-freeze is made of....propylene glycol. I'm also sure that you are aware that dogs will die if they drink anti-freeze. It's because of kidney failure.

Flying