Heartfelt beads not working for me

[bowhuntr09]

I bought the large round humidifier of 65% beads. My humidity was at 62% before I put it in the humidor and about 4 days later I'm down to 55%. I have done the salt test and trust my hygrometer. The beads are all clear and I just don't see that they are helping. What could be wrong?

[lightning9191]

Is your hygrometer analog or digital?

[sonic_mike]

give it a few days let it balance out,the cigars could be absorbing humidity.also its winter and there are more then a few people here that have trouble keeping their RH up in the colder weather.

[RicoPuro]

Check the seal in your humi. Give them some time.
Finally, don't forget to introduce yourself at the new gorilla forum Welcome!

Jorge

[chippewastud79]

Sounds like you have a leak in the humidor or it was just very dry when you put them in there

Originally Posted by RicoPuro

[SIZE=4]Finally, don't forget to introduce yourself at the new gorilla forum Welcome![/SIZE]

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by chippewastud79

Sounds like you have a leak in the humidor or it was just very dry when you put them in there

Read all the replies on here as they are telling you the very basic things when it comes to beads,,,esp. from Heartfelt because these things are pretty accurate and I'd check your humi, your hygrometer first before blaming the beads.

[bowhuntr09]

I'm not blaming the beads at this point, just looking for tips. I have had the humi for about 6 weeks. The hygrometer is analog, but salt tested right at 72%. Once I got the beads I took my other humidity source out and have let it sit closed for about 4 days. before the beads it was maintaining a pretty constant 62-65%. I was shocked to see it down to about 55% today when I checked it. I have left the beads in but have put back my other sources including a shot glass of distilled water to see if it will go back up for now.

[Cigary]

Yep, RH can be a PIA for sure esp. when it's not maintaing the temp and humidity. Guess we need to ensure that your humi was seasoned correctly, then making sure your 'grometer is right ( digital is usually the way to to) then ensuring your new humi is tight by doing the flashlight and dollar bill test. After doing all this and it doesn't straighten out I'm out of clues as all of this work has been successful for me. One good thing is that your cigars will be fine even at 55 %,,,but I feel your pain, I'd still be scratching my head off, too. Good luck!

Originally Posted by bowhuntr09

I'm not blaming the beads at this point, just looking for tips. I have had the humi for about 6 weeks. The hygrometer is analog, but salt tested right at 72%. Once I got the beads I took my other humidity source out and have let it sit closed for about 4 days. before the beads it was maintaining a pretty constant 62-65%. I was shocked to see it down to about 55% today when I checked it. I have left the beads in but have put back my other sources including a shot glass of distilled water to see if it will go back up for now.

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by bowhuntr09

I'm not blaming the beads at this point, just looking for tips. I have had the humi for about 6 weeks. The hygrometer is analog, but salt tested right at 72%. Once I got the beads I took my other humidity source out and have let it sit closed for about 4 days. before the beads it was maintaining a pretty constant 62-65%. I was shocked to see it down to about 55% today when I checked it. I have left the beads in but have put back my other sources including a shot glass of distilled water to see if it will go back up for now.

Couple of questions.

So the salt test is suppose to calibrate a hygrometer to 75%, so your analog is probably at least 3% off (not really an issue if you remember that everytime you read it).

What was your old humidifier? Was it a sponge type device with PG solution? I am just wondering as you said your old method was 62-65%. This seems low unless you were using active humidification or something like boveda packets.

If your beads are 100% clear, you might want to dry some out. Also, depending on what your old humidifier was using, it might not be a good idea to have it in there with the beads.

A couple of more questions.

1. How long did you season the humidor?

2. How cold is it in your house/apartment?

3. Do you know the RH outside your humidor?

4. Does your humi have a glass top?

5. How many cigars do you have in the humi and are they particulary dry?

These should help diagnose the problem.

[bigkev77]

My rh has been crazy since winter. Those beads are great. I think it is just crazy temp and humidity swings with the weather. IMHO

[blckthree]

I've got one humi stable, and another lower than I would like, but the sticks smoke fine. It's the weather and I am learning to ignore it. Monitor it, but not panic over it.

I know it's not what you want to hear, but your sticks should be fine. Good advice above also.

Mike

[CosmoKCohiba]

Give it some time, things will regulate themselves, the beads are truly amazing.

[Hermit]

Mine work.

[mash]

Another option is to phone David at Heartfelt. He is a very nice guy, and knowledgeable. He will talk you through it.

[bowhuntr09]

Answers in red below.

Originally Posted by montecristo#2

Couple of questions.

So the salt test is suppose to calibrate a hygrometer to 75%, so your analog is probably at least 3% off (not really an issue if you remember that everytime you read it).

What was your old humidifier? Was it a sponge type device with PG solution? I am just wondering as you said your old method was 62-65%. This seems low unless you were using active humidification or something like boveda packets.

My old humidifier was just the brass colored things with holes you add water to. I have only used distilled water, no solutions of any sort.

If your beads are 100% clear, you might want to dry some out. Also, depending on what your old humidifier was using, it might not be a good idea to have it in there with the beads.

A couple of more questions.

1. How long did you season the humidor?

approx. 2 weeks before adding any cigars

2. How cold is it in your house/apartment?

house temp is usually maintained at 68 to 70 degrees. Currently a digital house thermometer is reading 68 degrees with 32% RH.

3. Do you know the RH outside your humidor?

32% RH

4. Does your humi have a glass top?

No, it's a small 40ct of wood construction.

5. How many cigars do you have in the humi and are they particulary dry?

There are currently 12 cigars in the humidor (hey I'm new ;-) )

These should help diagnose the problem.

Just to add since adding the brass colored humidifiers and the shot glass of distilled water the hygrometer is up about 10 points since yesterday.