heartfelt beads question

[RockyP]

how often do you have to spray your beads? just wondering, i could not find anything that said aprox. how often this had to be done.

When you notice that they are not maintaining the RH rating. Not a set time. In higher humidity times in the south (like this summer), I do not wet my beads down. In the winter, with the heat running and sucking all the humidity out of the house, I will probably condition my beads a couple of times, maybe more.

So, quick answer: Keep an eye on your hydrometer, it will let you know when the time comes.

[zemekone]

Originally Posted by RockyP

how often do you have to spray your beads? just wondering, i could not find anything that said aprox. how often this had to be done.

Everyones conditions should be about the same, it just depends on various things: Temp (hot/cold) outside your humi, Rh outside, how often u open it up, what kind of humi u have.
EX: I have a thermo electric wine chiller with a perfect seal and a fan that runs constantly. For the whole winter November to April its not even plugged in, but in the summer when its warmer that fan is running and my beads dry out faster. So basically i dont even worry about it in the winter, but in the summer i spray them once a month.

BASICALLY SPRAY THEM WHEN THEY TURN WHITE...

[RockyP]

thanks guys for the info. the directions show a generic timeline but there is nothing like first hand experience. thanks again

[croatan]

It's going to depend on a number of factors and be different for everyone. It's about like asking "how many cigars can you fit in your pocket?"

[Bigwaved]

I believe the total amount of beads per area being humidified will effect the recharge rate as well.

[CigarGal]

I use the smaller of the aluminum bead holders for my 100 ct humis. I have to water them at least twice per week. I live in a dry climate(until Nov) and my humis are jam packed with cigars. I use the tubes in the 25 ct humis and I need to wet them down twice a week as well. I use 65% beads but I usually only get it up to 62% The humis are well made and seem to have a good seal.

[fpkjr]

Originally Posted by RockyP

how often do you have to spray your beads? just wondering, i could not find anything that said aprox. how often this had to be done.

If you have 65 % beads and the RH gets to 60 - 61% give the beads a few sprays..
FYI- the more beads you use the less intervention on your end. edit< bigwaved already said that>


I have big pockets I can fit 5, 6 x 58 IT Super Gordos with any problems

Originally Posted by CigarGal

I use the smaller of the aluminum bead holders for my 100 ct humis. I have to water them at least twice per week. I live in a dry climate(until Nov) and my humis are jam packed with cigars. I use the tubes in the 25 ct humis and I need to wet them down twice a week as well. I use 65% beads but I usually only get it up to 62% The humis are well made and seem to have a good seal.

What I found that works well for me in this situation, I have 2 or 3 Drymist tubs in each of my humis. They help keep enough moisture inthe air that the beads stay within 1-2% of the ratings. When the drymists sticks get low on moisture, I re-fill them. Now, if there is excess moisture, the beads absorb it, and the humi's seem to reach an equaliberium where I only have to add water to the sticks, and I can leave the beads alone (except during the winter time, still have to hit beads a couple of times - but, I use mainly Infrared gas heaters, and they really suck moisture out of the air)

[burninator]

How many you got?

[fpkjr]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

What I found that works well for me in this situation, I have 2 or 3 Drymist tubs in each of my humis. They help keep enough moisture inthe air that the beads stay within 1-2% of the ratings. When the drymists sticks get low on moisture, I re-fill them. Now, if there is excess moisture, the beads absorb it, and the humi's seem to reach an equaliberium where I only have to add water to the sticks, and I can leave the beads alone (except during the winter time, still have to hit beads a couple of times - but, I use mainly Infrared gas heaters, and they really suck moisture out of the air)

SvilleKid,
I have a question about the Drymist tubes, don't they have PG in them? Isn't that how it maintains a set humidity? I'm by no means an expert on Heartfelt beads or Drymist tubes, but I remember reading somewhere that PG and beads were a no no.. I could be wrong, in which case I would happily carry that banner.

I've been trying to figure out a way to bump the humidity in a 300 stick humidor. I have 2 Craftmans Bench humidifiers 6" x 2" x 1" and replaced the oasis in both with beads the highest RH I maintain is 61%. I thought of using the tubes then I read the post. I'm taking a HdM Coronation tube and I'm drilling a chit load of tiny holes and filling with beads, hopefully that will bump it up above 63%
Yours or anyones input on the Drymist Tubes would be greatly appreciated
Regards,
Frank

[RockyP]

thanks for all the info guys. i am going to add some more beads to my humi when i get home

Originally Posted by fpkjr

SvilleKid,
I have a question about the Drymist tubes, don't they have PG in them? Isn't that how it maintains a set humidity? I'm by no means an expert on Heartfelt beads or Drymist tubes, but I remember reading somewhere that PG and beads were a no no.. I could be wrong, in which case I would happily carry that banner.

I've been trying to figure out a way to bump the humidity in a 300 stick humidor. I have 2 Craftmans Bench humidifiers 6" x 2" x 1" and replaced the oasis in both with beads the highest RH I maintain is 61%. I thought of using the tubes then I read the post. I'm taking a HdM Coronation tube and I'm drilling a chit load of tiny holes and filling with beads, hopefully that will bump it up above 63%
Yours or anyones input on the Drymist Tubes would be greatly appreciated
Regards,
Frank

Interesting. I have to admit that I haven't read any of the PG/Beads conflict writings. Not saying they are not out there, I'm just saying that I have failed to research that issue! I will say, not having read up on the issue (something I will correct shortly), that I haven't had a problem that I have noticed using this method. But then again, I have only been using it for a year and a half, and I will readily admit that does not qualify as long enough to tell if there will be any long-term effect on beads. Might be an issue where Viper could add some insight.

Thanks for the advice, Frank.

edit: Oh, yes, I remember the days of drilling holes in tubos to use for my beads. I thought that I was drilling holes that would be small enough, but have ended up with powder and small pieces of beads all over the place when I move the tubos. I finally gave up, and purchased some of the plastic holders (humis) and some of the mesh bags (coolers) from Viper. Man, I wish I had done that on the front end. That's what comes from being frugal (Me, to a "T"). Much happier with the newer method of bead storage. Now I just throw my old tubes into a box for some unknown future use (I'm sure, something will arise, that is why I save stuff like a pack rat!!!!)

[fpkjr]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

Interesting. I have to admit that I haven't read any of the PG/Beads conflict writings. Not saying they are not out there, I'm just saying that I have failed to research that issue! I will say, not having read up on the issue (something I will correct shortly), that I haven't had a problem that I have noticed using this method. But then again, I have only been using it for a year and a half, and I will readily admit that does not qualify as long enough to tell if there will be any long-term effect on beads. Might be an issue where Viper could add some insight.

Thanks for the advice, Frank.

edit: Oh, yes, I remember the days of drilling holes in tubos to use for my beads. I thought that I was drilling holes that would be small enough, but have ended up with powder and small pieces of beads all over the place when I move the tubos. I finally gave up, and purchased some of the plastic holders (humis) and some of the mesh bags (coolers) from Viper. Man, I wish I had done that on the front end. That's what comes from being frugal (Me, to a "T"). Much happier with the newer method of bead storage. Now I just throw my old tubes into a box for some unknown future use (I'm sure, something will arise, that is why I save stuff like a pack rat!!!!)

I think I read it on CigarPass but I could be mistaken. I also remember Viper commenting as long as the PG was remove prior to installing the beads you were fine.. Shoot him an PM or email. I think the gist was anything but distilled H2O would eventually clog the beads and make them basically useless if I understood it right. Again, I could be totally off base here in which case I'll gladly wear the dunce cap.
As far drilling the tubes, I line them with pantyhose then fill with beads or I should say I attempt to line them with pantyhose. Moreover, drilling creates very sharp points on the inside on the tubes which makes lining them a nightmare, so your right sometimes being frugal just doesn't pan out.
When you purchase a pound of beads from David he actually ships more to make up for the breakage. According to him they still work fine..
Frank

[qwerty1500]

I seem to be refreshing my beads more frequently than I needed to refresh my DryMistats. I like the 65% rh much better than the 70% I had with the DryMistat. Even though i have more beads than recommended, I'm thinking that I may need to increase the amount of beads in my humi. I am also interested in Viper's opinion about combining beads with DryMistat tubes.

Btw ... Viper ... when are the 65% 1 oz tubes gonna be avaialble again?