yellow beads

[TX_toker]

I pulled out some 70% Heartfelt beads to throw in my humi with a Cigar Oasis. These are a couple years old and some have a yellow tint to them when dry. When I wet them, they look gold. is this normal?

[apevia]

Do you really need to use both beads and a cigar oasis?

[madurolover]

Over time the beads will turn a yellowish color. this is due to them absorbing the oils that the cigars are emiting. This is perfectly normal and will in no way alter the effectivness of the beads.

[Sigarz]

Originally Posted by madurolover

Over time the beads will turn a yellowish color. this is due to them absorbing the oils that the cigars are emiting. This is perfectly normal and will in no way alter the effectivness of the beads.

I dont mean to dispute you but I was under the impression that the absorption of other things such as minerals from water and oils would clog the beads and make them less effective? isnt that why we use distilled water?

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by Sigarz

I dont mean to dispute you but I was under the impression that the absorption of other things such as minerals from water and oils would clog the beads and make them less effective? isnt that why we use distilled water?

That is true about the minerals and stuff.
Don't sk me how it works but Dave at Heartfelt says the oils from the cigars will not harm the beads or render them ineffective.

Here is the explanation from Dave...

"the beads... can absorb some of the oils from the cigars when the cigars off gas. These oils will then get in the beads and possibly discolor them, this won't hurt the performance of the beads but they can get yellow from the oils."

"Not a problem. The beads have absorbed oils from the spanish cedar and from the off gas that the cigars do during aging. These will not hurt the performance of the beads just discolor them."

Here is the link to his post...http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/810270-post549.html

[TX_toker]

Originally Posted by apevia

Do you really need to use both beads and a cigar oasis?

The Cigar Oasis can only release moisture. Sometimes the fan will run a little too long and the rh will be a couple digits higher than the desired number. The beads will absorb that extra moisture, therefore maintaining a 70% rh level. I haven't had much luck with just the beads in the climate I live in, and what could it hurt?

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by TX_toker

The beads will absorb that extra moisture, therefore maintaining a 70% rh level.

I wouldnt count on that. There is no question that beads are superior to the foam inside the CO, but since there's really no provision for ingress of moisture, other than the holes for the fan, resorbtion of moisture is pretty inefficient. Just dont make the CO your only locus for beads. Put another bag in there somewhere.

[Sigarz]

Originally Posted by madurolover

That is true about the minerals and stuff.
Don't sk me how it works but Dave at Heartfelt says the oils from the cigars will not harm the beads or render them ineffective.

Here is the explanation from Dave...

"the beads... can absorb some of the oils from the cigars when the cigars off gas. These oils will then get in the beads and possibly discolor them, this won't hurt the performance of the beads but they can get yellow from the oils."

"Not a problem. The beads have absorbed oils from the spanish cedar and from the off gas that the cigars do during aging. These will not hurt the performance of the beads just discolor them."

Here is the link to his post...http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/810270-post549.html

Thanks Donnie, good to know.

[slyder]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

I wouldnt count on that. There is no question that beads are superior to the foam inside the CO, but since there's really no provision for ingress of moisture, other than the holes for the fan, resorbtion of moisture is pretty inefficient. Just dont make the CO your only locus for beads. Put another bag in there somewhere.

I dont think he meant he put them IN the CO. I did the same thing with my Le Veil. I tossed a small bag of beads in the humi (not the humidifier)to help absorb moisture cause for some reason my Le Veil will over shoot. Not all the time just every once in a great while when you least expect it. As soon as I order more beads the Le Veil is taking a ride.

[havanajohn]

I too use a Cigar Oasis XL, and a pound and a half of beads in 3 half pound bags... I have no issues in the humi doing it this way...

[ca21455]

A lot depends on the size of the humidor, how well it seals and the humidity in the environment. In Las Vegas the humidity is very low and depending on the integrity of the seal, beads may not do the trick.

During the summer in MO, 3 pounds of beads keeps my cabinet at 67% no problem. During the winter when the house runs around 40% I have to add mechanical humidification or I can not maintain the humidity in the cabinet.

BTW, my beads are yellow and they work the same as they did when they were new.