I fail at Beads - Help if possible

**Mizicke5273** · 12-18-2007, 02:28 PM

Yes, it is true. I FAIL at using beads.

Well after pissing around with recalibrating my hygrometers for the past 2 weeks, I have no idea what else to do. My cooler is still above 70%RH @ around 72°, despite 75% of the beads being completely white.(Ive since recharged them) It is about half full of cigars( about 40 or so) and I have some tupperware containers taking up the rest of the space. (Should I remove these containers?) Right now I have the beads at about 50-50, like they are supposed to be. But the RH is still above 70%. It is a ~20qt cooler with a 1/2lb of 65% beads in it, and for some reason they dont seem to be absorbing any moisture.

My hygros are right on at 75% with the salt test.( I might of failed at this too

) Ive tried numerous variations of the salt test. Ive used baggies, tupperware, cap of salt with only 4 drops of distilled water, and a cap of salt with a thin layer of distilled water on top. And each time my 2 hygrometers have been on at or close to 75%.

Now I am also having trouble with my humidor keeping humidity. It is a 150ct humi, with 4oz of 65% beads in it. It is full of cigars. If I just use the beads, the humidity stays around 58%RH. So I have a shot glass of distilled water in there and the RH is at 62%. Now I think I might have a sligth sealing issue as mentioned in my other post. Ive tried recalibrating my hygros numerous times, and I did the flashlight test as best I could(I have glass windows in my humi). I dont know what else to do, or if I am just worrying for absolutely no reason.

**guado** · 12-18-2007, 04:17 PM

Get one of these http://www.tampahumidor.com/sd4/prod...n-kit-1188.cfm ...you can use it more than once.

Once you are certain your hygro's are correct that begin playing with the beads. I could NEVER get the salt test accurate for some reason. It may nto be as crazy as you think.

When my stuff is real wet, I leave it open for a day or so. If it is real dry I soak the beads....

**Shelby07** · 12-18-2007, 06:22 PM

Remember that things happen slowly. If your cigars or boxes are wet (relatively) it may take some time for them to expel their excess humidity. They will more than likely let off moisture faster than the beads can absorb depending on the exposed surface area of both. Also try to resist checking it every couple of hours. Let it sit for a week or more.

As for your humidor, get a black plastic trash bag and put the humi in it. Squeeze the excess air out and seal it as best you can. Let i sit for a few days then check the humidity inside the humidor. If it's where it should be then your humi's leaking. If not then you have a different problem.

**Mizicke5273** · 12-18-2007, 08:15 PM

Ill try the trash bag for my humidor.

Ive had my cooler set up for about 2 weeks now, so should I wait another few weeks? I usually check the humidity in it once a day since its on the high side.

**BunkyX** · 12-19-2007, 09:33 PM

Take it easy man, you are stressing out way to much over this. The beads will do the job in their own time. If the humidity is above 60% and less than 80%, don't panic. Watching your hygrometer is like watching the clock, it makes the changes seem slower. I have to reminde myself to look at the hygrometer once a month or so just so I can see it the beads need recharged.