Heartfelt bead tubes

[danmcmartin]

Ya, I got the same squirt bottle with my order and use it every time. I also have the tubes. My humi is dead on at 65% and I only need to refill once in a while. I have cracking, but I have also read that the beads work the same even if they crack.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by danmcmartin

I have cracking, but I have also read that the beads work the same even if they crack.

They do, but youre left with the cracked pieces sifting out and getting all over the inside of the humi. I don't like the idea of smoking silica.

[e-man]

Some salt is bound to transfer from a moist bead to the container, regardless of how they were charged. So long as the salt doesn't leave the equation, then you're probably splitting hairs with one charging method vs another. So long as your beads aren't shattering, then you're going to be fine.


I've used beads for years. I run double the recommended amount in a very dry climate. I don't have enough time to passively humidify my beads. I spray into my my tubes and pucks without any problems, but I don't soak them. I give a spray or two, then shake them until everything is mixed up. I repeat until I still see about 10% white beads. NOTHING LEAVES the tube or the puck, so the original amount of salt is still present. I don't see any dried salt buildup on the tubes or the puck...they're always clear. The beads are hygroscopic and the plastic isn't, so the beads attract and hold the water, along with the salt dissolved in it.


Even pouring a little water in the bottom of the dish shouldn't result in any significant loss of salt. Sure, the small pool of water is going to dissolve some salts off of the beads, but that salty water gets wicked back up into the beads. If you don't see a crusty residue up on the dish, then you're not loosing a significant amount of salt. Of course, any crusties can be re-dissolved and added back to the beads for a net loss of 0.


The one thing you don't want to do is have your beads drip. There is salt dissolved in the water, so salt leaves the system with every drip. Don't dip a bag of beads in a bowl of water and lift it out.

If your beads shatter, they will still work just the same. However, small pieces may fall out of your tubes or pucks, reducing the total quantity of beads.

[RobustBrad]

So I have a newley acquired Trivoli. I'm going to use a Cigar Oasis XL plus on the bottom part (middle shelf). The question is what should I order from heartfelt industries? I"m thinking of two of the 4 ounce tubes. Anyone else have a suggestion?

Cheers,
Brad

[danmcmartin]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

They do, but youre left with the cracked pieces sifting out and getting all over the inside of the humi. I don't like the idea of smoking silica.

You are correct, I do have little pieces of beads in my humi. I do not smoke them, however.

[brianv]

Lots of details about beads and i may be off but have you checked the hygrometer to make sure that you are really off this much?? so many have said that you can set your hygro to the beads maybe this is an easy fix... hope it turns around quickly and your storing issues resolve themselves!

Brian

[e-man]

Originally Posted by brianv

Lots of details about beads and i may be off but have you checked the hygrometer to make sure that you are really off this much?? so many have said that you can set your hygro to the beads maybe this is an easy fix... hope it turns around quickly and your storing issues resolve themselves!

Brian

If his beads need to be charged every day or two, then it is highly probable that the humidity really is at 55%, as his hygrometer claims.

You can only calibrate a hygrometer to your beads in a sealed environment, with no temperature fluctuations...allowing 1-2 points of error. Otherwise, there are too many variables that can cause it to be off. The cigars could be at a different rH, a dry climate sucking the moisture from the wood, temperature swings, improperly seasoned humidor, bad humidor seal, etc...

Once everything has stabilized a humidor may very well run so stable that you could calibrate a hygrometer with it. But, you can't assume that you're maintaining the proper rH, just because you are using beads.