Do Heartfelt beads deteriorate over time?

[RJpuffs]

I had some spare beads that were filled into two pucks. They were used for a year, then they kinda fell behind junk and were forgotten. During their active life they held 65% perfectly (yes, they are 65% beads).

Now, I restored an old humidor that the wife (heaven knows HOW) actually LIKES the look of. Cleaning, scraping, repairing seal, etc - reconditioned it and used these two pucks. Darn thing only holds 62% now. Rock steady, checked with various (accurate) hygros. Actually quite proud of myself for fixing the lip/seal, whoosh and everything.

Do these beads deteriorate over time (or complete dehydration)? They are not cracked, they seem visually fine albeit a little off color (yellowish). And they are maintaining 62% like two happy little hygroscopic robots. I can live with 62% but I'm curious? Anyone have any insights?

[e-man]

I have heard people complain that the beads crack if you hydrate them too quickly. Personally, I've never had a problem dripping water directly on them.


The salt that coats the beads is the key to regulating humidity. If you shake off excess water, you're shaking off salt water, reducing the salt content of the beads. If you dip your beads into water, you are washing the salt away.

Wet them just enough to turn 90% clear and they should last a lifetime. Even if they do crack over time, it doesn't change their ability to regulate rH.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by e-man

I have heard people complain that the beads crack if you hydrate them too quickly. Personally, I've never had a problem dripping water directly on them.


The salt that coats the beads is the key to regulating humidity. If you shake off excess water, you're shaking off salt water, reducing the salt content of the beads. If you dip your beads into water, you are washing the salt away.

Wet them just enough to turn 90% clear and they should last a lifetime. Even if they do crack over time, it doesn't change their ability to regulate rH.

I drip-refill, the beads don't crack (some do, once in a while but rarely). But if the salt had gone, I would think the plain silica would result in over humidification? I'm stuck at 62%, but its rock solid I may just live with it.

[fiddlegrin]

They do seem to have a finite lifespan....

But on the other hand 62% makes for a perfect drybox!!!!!

Can I get a witness_______??


.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by fiddlegrin

They do seem to have a finite lifespan....

But on the other hand 62% makes for a perfect drybox!!!!!

Can I get a witness_______??


.

Thats true, but its a 200 ct - thats a hell of a large drybox

[fiddlegrin]

DOH!!!!!

True that!!!

[Herf N Turf]

For me, it kind of depends on the tobacco. Some seem to like slightly higher RH in terms of flavor, but in the end, I see not a thing wrong with 62%. In fact, I prefer my CC's at that very number. I say live with it. A little dry is better than a little wet.

Oh yeah, Senior Fiddla Jefe, I think 62's a tad high for db. Im in the 55-56 camp.

[smokin nightly]

I have had my heartfelt beads for 6 years and they are just as good as when i got them. perfect 65...

[GoodFella]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

For me, it kind of depends on the tobacco. Some seem to like slightly higher RH in terms of flavor, but in the end, I see not a thing wrong with 62%. In fact, I prefer my CC's at that very number. I say live with it. A little dry is better than a little wet.

Oh yeah, Senior Fiddla Jefe, I think 62's a tad high for db. Im in the 55-56 camp.

this is dead on to how i feel.

do you think it could be your humi and not he beads.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by GoodFella

this is dead on to how i feel.

do you think it could be your humi and not he beads.

Its holding steady once I fixed the seal/whoosh, and the beads are "drying" (whitening) about as expected. They just seem to be holding 62%. I may switch with some good beads that I know work at 65% - but then the other 'dor will drop to 62%. Can't win

[e-man]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

Its holding steady once I fixed the seal/whoosh, and the beads are "drying" (whitening) about as expected. They just seem to be holding 62%. I may switch with some good beads that I know work at 65% - but then the other 'dor will drop to 62%. Can't win

I have a similar size humidor running beads. Aside from the pucks, I keep a few of the cigar sized tubes scattered throughout the lower trays. It helps a lot, considering that humidity rises. My tubes always dry out before the pucks. The pucks get to bask up above in the humidity provided by the tubes, so they don't dry out as fast. If the top of your humidor runs at 62%, what does the bottom run?

If you live in a cold climate, then you should expect a drop in rH when the air gets cold and dry, then your furnace dries out any remaining moisture. Wooden humidors are just more susceptible to the environment because they aren't air tight (Ever notice that you rarely see posts about rH issues in a cooler?) I have a very nice H. Upmann humidor made from solid 3/4 inch spanish cedar planks. It has amazing fit and finish, but it still drops from 70% in the summer to the low 60's during the extreme Colorado winters. I also run double the recommended amount of beads for the volume of my humidor. Cold weather is right around the corner. If you experience cold/dry winters, you may want to consider acquiring some supplemental humidification now.


Also, my friend has had good luck placing a few humidicare (gel) tubes on each tray of his 500 ct humidor, which really made everything consistent on all levels. They only come in 70% though.


Also, you say that it's "holding steady" now that you "fixed the seal". Your humidor may still be recovering from that. Especially, since you have a 200 ct humidor that probably has a large mass of sticks that are out of range.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by e-man

I have a similar size humidor running beads. Aside from the pucks, I keep a few of the cigar sized tubes scattered throughout the lower trays. It helps a lot, considering that humidity rises. My tubes always dry out before the pucks. The pucks get to bask up above in the humidity provided by the tubes, so they don't dry out as fast. If the top of your humidor runs at 62%, what does the bottom run?

If you live in a cold climate, then you should expect a drop in rH when the air gets cold and dry, then your furnace dries out any remaining moisture. Wooden humidors are just more susceptible to the environment because they aren't air tight (Ever notice that you rarely see posts about rH issues in a cooler?) I have a very nice H. Upmann humidor made from solid 3/4 inch spanish cedar planks. It has amazing fit and finish, but it still drops from 70% in the summer to the low 60's during the extreme Colorado winters. I also run double the recommended amount of beads for the volume of my humidor. Cold weather is right around the corner. If you experience cold/dry winters, you may want to consider acquiring some supplemental humidification now.


Also, my friend has had good luck placing a few humidicare (gel) tubes on each tray of his 500 ct humidor, which really made everything consistent on all levels. They only come in 70% though.


Also, you say that it's "holding steady" now that you "fixed the seal". Your humidor may still be recovering from that. Especially, since you have a 200 ct humidor that probably has a large mass of sticks that are out of range.

I had left it alone for about 3 weeks and broke it in as though new. And yes, in a "production" enviroment I put a tube next to each dozen or so sticks (i.e. several extra in the lower bin).

Update - remember I mentioned the pucks had rolled behind junk, well, I think I need to dust more often around here. I brushed off the netting on the top and remoistened, climbed to just over 65% immediately (understandbly, since I left the mesh damp and it was a muggy day when I had it opened up). Would also explain the coloration of the beads, when I wetted it the first time, it must have taken some dust in, yuck! I'll give it a week and see if it now sits at 65%. I may have killed the beads by coating them in dust though