Heartfelt beads or cat litter beads?

[slyder]

Ive read on some other sites that the Heartfelt beads are way overpriced and that generic kitty litter beads do the exact same thing. Some people go as far as saying the cat litter beads are the same exact thing. Price wise its a no brainer.....$13 for 8lbs vs. $30 for 1lb but im wondering why cat litter would need a bead that can GIVE off humidity as well as absorb it? They claim both are just silica, H2O and Oxygen. Ive read other posts that say Heartfelt are that plus certain salts so that they will hold a certain humidity. Any of this true? Normally id just spend the $30 but these days every buck counts.

[chippewastud79]

Kitty litter is not the same thing, one is designed for soaking up cat pee and the other is designed for regulating humidity and keeping humidors in proper environment. Some people will claim that the have used kitty litter and it works fine but it certainly will not do the things that beads to, particularly in times when there are vast fluctuations. Heartfelt beads are a one time investment and well worth the money.

If you want the scientific evidence look for a post about humidity by Shilala he researched it and proved that kitty litter isn't even as close to effective or sufficient.

[PDV]

I use both, and they both work great. In my humi, I have 65% Heartfelt beads, and it stays rock solid at 65% for a month or more without recharging. In my cooler, I have one pound of the Heartfelt beads and one pound of Crystal Clear Litter Pearls, and it stays right at 67% for a month or more.

As long as you get kitty litter that is entirely unscented silica gel beads, it will work just fine. Of course, you can't really order kitty litter beads with a specific % humidity.

[nativetexan_1]

And, aspirin wasn't designed to control bloodpressure either. Lots of things have applications beyond their design.

[slyder]

Ive read so much info on this subject my eyes hurt! For every person that says kitty litter beads work.......theres 5 that says it dont. Somebody comes up with evidence that it doesnt work.....and somebody else comes up with some that says it does. "What The French"? (Rock of Love Bus for those that didnt get that). Do we have some silica bead po-po on this site that can give me the skinny fo shizzle? Sorry i appologize....been at work way too long tonight.

[Jonesee]

Originally Posted by slyder

Ive read so much info on this subject my eyes hurt! For every person that says kitty litter beads work.......theres 5 that says it dont. Somebody comes up with evidence that it doesnt work.....and somebody else comes up with some that says it does. "What The French"? (Rock of Love Bus for those that didnt get that). Do we have some silica bead po-po on this site that can give me the skinny fo shizzle? Sorry i appologize....been at work way too long tonight.

Very fair request. I've used them for years and have never had an issue. Maybe I am lucky. It seems to me however, the only people saying they don't work are those that have never tried them. If someone has used them and they failed in some way, please post.

[blueeyedbum]

I have used 65 heartfelt beads and 70% beads from humidorbeads. No experience with kitty litter beads. Is there a specific brand of kitty litter beads that work?

[cyberdiver]

I have one humidor set up with heartfelt beads and 2 humidors set up with kitty litter. All of my humidors stay in the 64-67% range! Is there a difference? The look a little different! Do the do the same job! Absolutely! Would I spend the extra on heartfelt again! NEVER! Kitty Litter or bust for this guy!

Just try it for yourself. If you don't like it..... your not out much!

[KickU2Sleep]

Did a search for litter and found this post from January

Originally Posted by SixPackSunday

ok... so maybe they didnt change my life, BUT they did save me a ton when it came time to humidify my new cab humi.



i was originally given this idea from a pretty 'good fella' on another forum who said he uses it in his vinotemp humi.



i picked up a very large bag (weight is not listed anywhere on it, i'm guessing around 7 pounds) of premium choice cat litter beads. odorless, nothing in the bag besides silica beads.



i have a little over one pound on them in the humi now, in 5 different small pastic containers. my humidity is holding at a PERFECT 65% with no odor/problems at all from them.



the bag costs me a total of $16 bucks after taxes at a local pet store. this is an awesome way to keep humidity if your looking for a cheap route, just make sure you get the pure silica beads. if you pick up something else you'll have to pick the 'odor crystals' out of them before putting them in the humi.

[Snake Hips]

I remember Shilala posting a veritable essay on this, going through the math of kitty litter vs. heartfelt or Shilala beads. He just showed all the math behind why kitty litter is not efficient or practical for the purpose. This makes sense to me because the beads are not the same. Kitty litter beads, Heartfelt beads and Shilala beads are not all the same thing. However, if kitty litter works for you, the more power to you; I've never tried it and never had a reason to doubt Shilala, so I just bought from him regardless of cost to support a fellow BOTL.

[Hermit]

Mebbie it works, but Heartfelt beads aren't that expensive.
How much are your cigars worth?
Discount parachutes anybody?

[Doogie]

if you can afford the beads then get them. i haven't had any problems with my beads

[Buddha024]

Originally Posted by Hermit

Mebbie it works, but Heartfelt beads aren't that expensive.
How much are your cigars worth?
Discount parachutes anybody?

This has been my thought all along. Especially since most people won't even need a pound of beads. But I've never tried the kitty littler, so I can't really comment.

[GlockG23]

Originally Posted by Hermit

Mebbie it works, but Heartfelt beads aren't that expensive.
How much are your cigars worth?
Discount parachutes anybody?

Awesome answer,
and the "Discount parachutes"
love it

[OracleSmoke]

If you don't mind spending some time doing the investigation, start looking into how many manufacturers there are in the world that even make silica beads, for any purpose. Don't look at the retailers or distributors and believe that they actually manufacture the beads, they don't. There are a few different types, in shape and purpose. Such as the silica gel you get in say a new electronic device. Those crystals are there to dehumidifiy, not give off humidity. They get that way by having the moisture driven from them with heat, something you can do at home in an oven.

Point is, there are only so many manufacturers that produce silica beads. Find those manufacturers and look at their products. The manufacturers make their silica products for any market that will buy them and they don't support any particular distributors in their advertising, so you won't see specific support for brand name end user products.

Spend a bit more time and you can find out how they're made and the general purpose of them.

Do your own research. Reading through information provided by a retailer or distributor will of course support their own product, that's what marketing is for.

Make your own decision, buy what you feel comfortable with.