Madeleine's Crystal Clear Humidifier

[toasty]

Anyone tried this yet? It's a circle humidifier that has little things that look like grains in the bottom. You fill it up with the 50/50 solution then the grains get big and it turns into gel. I don't know what the RH of my humidor because I still haven't received my Perfecto yet. Is this Madeleine's version of the heartfelt beads? I paid $20 for it by the way.

[SuperChuck]

I believe it's just a jar full of those crystals you mix in potting soil. They just suck up water. Humidity beads actually maintain a specific humidity level (I think they're designed for preserving artwork).

[bigtoys]

I bought the same one. Unfortunately, when I put it my cheapo humidor (that was at about 75% RH after 2 weeks with a damp cloth in it), it would only hold about 55-60% RH, so I switched my gars back to my plastic extreme case. I'm hoping that my humi was the problem as the seal didn't seem that great.

Just remember, if you keep adding 50-50 solution, the RH will gradually drift down as the PG doesn't evaporate. I almost think it's better (after initial charging with 50-50) to add distilled water when the beads start to dry out and when the RH gets to 70 to add 50-50 the next time solution is needed.

The plastic cases only have a tiny piece of green foam and manage to hold a pretty good RH, with the same caveat to use distilled H2O sometimes instead of 50-50. I guess the only downside is that they're so sealed, that there's no "breathing" like with a wood humi. Of course, the better the seal, it would seem the less air exchange. I tossed a couple of thin strips of cedar into the plastic case so the cigars may be fooled into thinking they're in wood.

Any comments on disadvantages of long term storage in the plastic humi's????????

[toasty]

Mine has done somewhat well. It doesn't control humidity like the Heartfelt, but it does do pretty well as far as keeping me at a nice constant rate. My top divider usually runs about 70% RH and everything underneath it is right around 65%. So for the cost, it's really not a bad humidifier. My humidor is about to be near the full mark, so I'm going to look at something bigger than the 150 count. Maybe furniture style or a cabinet...who knows.

[toasty]

Just an update. This thing worked really well at first. Recently my RH has shot up to 77%, so I took it out. I wouldn't recommend this anymore.

[stjohnroe]

I have a couple that I have been using for about a year, haven't had any problems with them yet.

[bigtoys]

I think I'm gonna wet the thing again and put it in a plastic bag with a hygrometer and see what it reads.