Humidification Device Philosophy

[Shelby07]

Didn't want to theradjack, so I'm posting this thread.

There was a question asked in another thread about why some would cheap out on their humidification device. I have to say that I have wondered about this also. There are lots of devices out there, yet many go with the cheapest.

I have used dishes of distilled water, florist foam and credos with various solutions and beads in the past. Each was a step up and I noticed a marked difference in the way the cigars burned and tasted. I finally decided that I was going to go electronic and have been using the Cigar Oasis Plus for my desktop (72%) and the Cigar Oasis II for my cabinet (65%.) I love them. They are precise and I don't have to worry about maintaining them every few days.

I have seen others say that the beads or the active humidification devices are too expensive. I don't get it. By over or under humidifying or not keeping a fairly constant humidity you are asking for trouble. Why would anyone use a bowl of water or kitty litter, for example, to save a few bucks and risk damaging the cigars they spend so much for?. For that matter, why would anyone get stingy with the one thing that will keep your cigars in good condition.

My advice to those starting out and wondering about it - forget about the fancy humidors at first and use a cooler or a tupperware container until you have the right device to keep your cigars in good condition. Stay away from the solutions as they are too hard to keep consistant over time. Use the beads or invest in an active system like the Cigar Oasis or similar products and do it right away. The device you choose is the most important thing you will have in your humidor. Don't skimp on it.

[bobbyg29-cl]

Couldn't agree with you more Mark! Collecting quality cigars with a bad humidification system is liking buying an expensive car and being to cheap to get oil changes.

[ilovecl-cl]

You MUST maintain the proper RH!!!!!

[nhcigarfan-cl]

I use the beads but have always thought properly seasoning the kitty litter (the unseasoned silica gel kind - not the average dusty stuff for those wondering) was interesting in a "can I do it" kinda way. Never actually got around to it but it's seems like if you can make 20 pounds of the stuff for less than 10 bucks, it would be worth it. Presuming you make it correctly and it works.

[countnikon]

I use The Puck. You can't beat the beads. I want to give my cigars in the best condition.

[The Bruce-cl]

I live in a dry climate. So active humidification is needed, our humidity out here is about 5% - 8%. So I use the Cigar Oasis.

As far as tubberdors go. I am not too impressed. The seal is way too perfect so if I have young cigars in them I have to burp them every couple of days. Getting an inexpensive humidor will allow some breathing and echange of air.

[cigarsarge-cl]

You get what you pay for in cigar related equipment. Cheaping out will cost you in the end.

Kitty Litter works though...I know a guy that uses it.

[LouZava]

Come on guys, yall are killing me, Its not that Im cheap, or trying to skimp out. I just read in a lot of post in different boards that Kitty Litter or (Silica Sand, O2,H20) works just as good as Heartfelt beads. I didnt feel like ordering and waiting on the shipping time, etc, when I could use something that works just as good. I will eventually get the Cigar Oasis XL, but right now my funds are depleated!

[g8trbone]

Louis, don't take it personal bro! There are a lot of other things worse than the kitty litter deal.

I personally upgraded to the Cigar Oasis XL Plus for my new humidor and am I ever happy I did! I don't have to worry about checking the beads to see if they are too dry or too wet. To quote Ron Popeil - "Set it and forget it"

[cigarsarge-cl]

I knew of a guy that used anti-freeze in his floral foam humidifers. He claimed it was the same thing as PG solution at a fraction of the cost. :arghhhh:

[JohnRider]

Originally Posted by LouZava

Come on guys, yall are killing me, Its not that Im cheap, or trying to skimp out. I just read in a lot of post in different boards that Kitty Litter or (Silica Sand, O2,H20) works just as good as Heartfelt beads. I didnt feel like ordering and waiting on the shipping time, etc, when I could use something that works just as good. I will eventually get the Cigar Oasis XL, but right now my funds are depleated!

I use it. Others here do to. There's nothing wrong with it. It actually works very well. I understand that some people are skeptical or perhaps just cautious. And that's fine - we all have our comfort zones. This silica gel kitty litter is still a relatively new thing - even as a kitty litter, much less as a cigar humidication device. Give it time. It will become normal and accepted in a year or two as people learn about it.

Silica gel is just sand that has a gagillion holes in it created by a reaction with acid. The finished product is more inert than the plastic that their beads are sitting in. It is non-toxic, odorless, and virtually indestructible as long as you use distilled water. The only thing to worry about is over humidifying your cigars during this initial startup time. I suggested that you stabilize the kitty litter in a tupperware first, but I would concede that you can probably get away with just wetting them somewhat and tossing them in your humidor IF you closely monitor the humidity inside the humidor with an accurate hygrometer. Check it every day. If the humidity starts to get too high, just pull the kitty litter out. Eventually the kitty litter will stabilize and release moisture at a very stable and predictable rate. Later down the road, when you start to see the humidity drop in your humi, just "spritz" the silica gel with a fine mist of distilled water. You'll learn over time how much and how often you need to do that. Generally, a very light spray every week or two is all it takes.

The silica gel crystals are identical to the silica gel "pearls" in composition. The pearls are created by a process that involves a sprayer to create the beautiful round crystals. The crystals I have are irregular.

[JohnRider]

Originally Posted by cigarsarge

I knew of a guy that used anti-freeze in his floral foam humidifers. He claimed it was the same thing as PG solution at a fraction of the cost. :arghhhh:

This is where people get into trouble. It is easy to confuse Ethylene Glycol with Propylene Glycol. One is very toxic, the other one is not. Both are sold as automotive antifreeze. I have heard of people buying pure, clear Propylene Glycol from the science supply stores. But folks, do your due diligence...properly functioning kidneys are an important thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze

[DGreekStallion]

Originally Posted by Shelby07

Didn't want to theradjack, so I'm posting this thread.

There was a question asked in another thread about why some would cheap out on their humidification device. I have to say that I have wondered about this also. There are lots of devices out there, yet many go with the cheapest.

I have used dishes of distilled water, florist foam and credos with various solutions and beads in the past. Each was a step up and I noticed a marked difference in the way the cigars burned and tasted. I finally decided that I was going to go electronic and have been using the Cigar Oasis Plus for my desktop (72%) and the Cigar Oasis II for my cabinet (65%.) I love them. They are precise and I don't have to worry about maintaining them every few days.

I have seen others say that the beads or the active humidification devices are too expensive. I don't get it. By over or under humidifying or not keeping a fairly constant humidity you are asking for trouble. Why would anyone use a bowl of water or kitty litter, for example, to save a few bucks and risk damaging the cigars they spend so much for?. For that matter, why would anyone get stingy with the one thing that will keep your cigars in good condition.

My advice to those starting out and wondering about it - forget about the fancy humidors at first and use a cooler or a tupperware container until you have the right device to keep your cigars in good condition. Stay away from the solutions as they are too hard to keep consistant over time. Use the beads or invest in an active system like the Cigar Oasis or similar products and do it right away. The device you choose is the most important thing you will have in your humidor. Don't skimp on it.

I use beads, they work great.

[LouZava]

Originally Posted by g8trbone

Louis, don't take it personal bro! There are a lot of other things worse than the kitty litter deal.

I personally upgraded to the Cigar Oasis XL Plus for my new humidor and am I ever happy I did! I don't have to worry about checking the beads to see if they are too dry or too wet. To quote Ron Popeil - "Set it and forget it"

No worries g8trbone. I was just saying

[tobacmon]

Like John advised me Beads-Beads---Beads! Now I use the Beads. Maintaining so far 71 % should drop to 70 % the next couple of days.....Try it you won't use anything else.