Cigar Oasis Experiment

[cbsmokin]

So now that I have received Shilala's bomb, I mean beads the experiment continues.

First I mixed up some beads:



It was too much, but I will find other uses.

Then I scooped the beads into the Oasis with a spoon:



Lastly I added some more distilled water and shoved the Oasis into the cabinet:



It didn't take long at all for the humidity to come right back up. The gel seems to be a good replacement for the floral foam. I will try to post another update in a week or so.

Please notice the cigars that accompanied the gel bead in the picture above. In addition to the gel beads and cigars I also received two RH bead bags. Shilala is a great BOTL!

[Tour De Cigar]

Originally Posted by cbsmokin

So now that I have received Shilala's bomb, I mean beads the experiment continues.

First I mixed up some beads:



It was too much, but I will find other uses.

Then I scooped the beads into the Oasis with a spoon:



Lastly I added some more distilled water and shoved the Oasis into the cabinet:



It didn't take long at all for the humidity to come right back up. The gel seems to be a good replacement for the floral foam. I will try to post another update in a week or so.

Please notice the cigars that accompanied the gel bead in the picture above. In addition to the gel beads and cigars I also received two RH bead bags. Shilala is a great BOTL!

very interesting.. please keep us posted..

[tfar]

Are those beads that you show in the photos? That looks like super absorbent polymer crystals to me?

Till

[EvanS]

well you inspired me as well cbsmokin - I dug out the foam and just filled with water. Works SO much better now. Maybe someday I'll get some of the SAP, but so far so good.

Great idea.

[cbsmokin]

Originally Posted by tfar

Are those beads that you show in the photos? That looks like super absorbent polymer crystals to me?

Till

Correct they are the absorbent polymer stuff. I get confused as to what to call everything.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by tfar

Are those beads that you show in the photos? That looks like super absorbent polymer crystals to me?

Till

I always have a 50 pound barrel of that stuff around, have for years.
I use it in all my flower beds, garden, and hanging baskets.
I'd use it in my houseplants if I wasn't such a houseplant. I should get up and do something.

[freakygar]

My noobness is going to show, sorry.

If your going to use beads or poly whatever what does adding them to the Oasis gain you? I'm ed.

Al

[cbsmokin]

Originally Posted by ahc4353

My noobness is going to show, sorry.

If your going to use beads or poly whatever what does adding them to the Oasis gain you? I'm ed.

Al

The floral foam in the unit had dried out so much that it no longer absorbed much water. As a result the fan on the unit starting running more and more frequently. I ripped the foam out and just put water in, then the unit ran like it did when it was new. The gel was placed in to help avoid the potential "cigars and water don't mix" problem if I bump the unit. They do sell replacement cartridges and I actually have one, but I just wanted to try something different.

I'm not using the gel to humidify my cabinet I am using it to prevent a spill. I do have enough gel though that I will likely stuff some in the cabinet as well.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by cbsmokin

I do have enough gel though that I will likely stuff some in the cabinet as well.

I used it for about a month. Add some PG to it and your have a 70% humidity control tool.
You can use sodium nitrate for a 65% tool.
The proper ratio of sodium nitrate and magnesium chloride and you have a 60% tool.
It's cool stuff.

[tfar]

What's the ratio of PG and SAP, Scott? You're the man!

Till

[shilala]

Originally Posted by tfar

What's the ratio of PG and SAP, Scott? You're the man!

Till

70% PG Gel
15oz. Propylene Glycol (100% Food Grade)
15oz. Distilled Water
2tbs. Gel Crystals

[tfar]

Gracias, Amigo.

[ColdCuts]

Originally Posted by shilala

Add some PG to it and your have a 70% humidity control tool.
You can use sodium nitrate for a 65% tool.
The proper ratio of sodium nitrate and magnesium chloride and you have a 60% tool.
It's cool stuff.

OK, I've been thinking all of this over and my head is starting to hurt.

Wouldn't the SAP, distilled water, and PG mixture render the Oasis redundant? I mean, isn't that combination, more or less, the same as an old fashioned Credo? That mix should keep a humidor at 70% RH all by itself, shouldn't it? No Oasis necessary. Or, is the Oasis still useful in that it circulates the air?

If we're still using the Oasis, what's the PG for? Is it just a safeguard against mold? Because, I thought the Oasis, when filled with distilled water, was designed to regulate RH simply by turning it's fan on and off as needed. If that's true, one shouldn't need the additional hydroscopic control that PG offers. Am I right? I thought that's what was so attractive about active humidifiers like the Oasis in the first place.

And, lastly, shilala, how do you make this 65% RH mix that you mentioned? TIA

[SUOrangeGuy]

Originally Posted by ColdCuts

OK, I've been thinking all of this over and my head is starting to hurt.

Wouldn't the SAP, distilled water, and PG mixture render the Oasis redundant? I mean, isn't that combination, more or less, the same as an old fashioned Credo? That mix should keep a humidor at 70% RH all by itself, shouldn't it? No Oasis necessary. Or, is the Oasis still useful in that it circulates the air?

If we're still using the Oasis, what's the PG for? Is it just a safeguard against mold? Because, I thought the Oasis, when filled with distilled water, was designed to regulate RH simply by turning it's fan on and off as needed. If that's true, one shouldn't need the additional hydroscopic control that PG offers. Am I right? I thought that's what was so attractive about active humidifiers like the Oasis in the first place.

And, lastly, shilala, how do you make this 65% RH mix that you mentioned? TIA

The Oasis can only give off humidity not absorb it back. Many people use the oasis/beads combo to regulate humidity. If you use the PG in the oasis then you don't require the beads.

[cf2112]

Originally Posted by ColdCuts

OK, I've been thinking all of this over and my head is starting to hurt.

Wouldn't the SAP, distilled water, and PG mixture render the Oasis redundant? I mean, isn't that combination, more or less, the same as an old fashioned Credo? That mix should keep a humidor at 70% RH all by itself, shouldn't it? No Oasis necessary. Or, is the Oasis still useful in that it circulates the air?

NO need for PG, Ive never used it as I don't want the chemicals in my humidor. I've heard of people using a drop of grain alcohol/Everclear to prevent mold but I got 2+ yrs out of my first batch and they're cheap so I just use SAP's.

If we're still using the Oasis, what's the PG for? Is it just a safeguard against mold? Because, I thought the Oasis, when filled with distilled water, was designed to regulate RH simply by turning it's fan on and off as needed. If that's true, one shouldn't need the additional hydroscopic control that PG offers. Am I right? I thought that's what was so attractive about active humidifiers like the Oasis in the first place.

Correct PG Alcohol is to prevent mold. As I stsated above I don't want to use PG so this is why I have a Set n Forget, CO and 2 Hydras'.

And, lastly, shilala, how do you make this 65% RH mix that you mentioned?

I use them in the rectangle humidifiers in my desktops, after removing the foam, cleaning the residue and filling with SAP's I add 4 tablespoons of water. This for me keeps the humidity @ 63-66%, when it drops below that I add 1-2 tablespoons of water and this has worked for years. NOTE: a childrens medicine dropper works great. I lay the humigifier on the tray or humidor face up, not mounted on the lid.

TIA

Hope this helps