Super Absorbant Polymers (watersorb.com) in a Cigar Oasis

[SuperT]

Found out about these over at CF. A moderator at my homeboard(s) uses these too. These are different than Climmax and Heartfealt in that they DON'T regulate humidity, they just absorb a sh*tload of water.

You use 1.5tbs of polymers to 1/2 cup of distilled water. Add a little (1/2 a capful) of grain alcohol or vodka (retards mold growth) and wait an hour. These suckers swell up and hold the water. As the crystals start to shrink, just mist with a little distilled water and away you go.

If you have an active humidification unit in your humidor, you might want to check these out. No more water spill, little hassle, dead on accuracy!

Here is my little review:

I just got the package today to fill my Oasis Plus (in my Mini) and I'm simply amazed so far. 3 tablespoons of crystals absorbed 1 CUP of water. I plan on filling the Oasis Plus up later today and I'll give periodic updates.

As for the watersorb.com folks, top notch and easy ordering!

http://www.watersorb.com/buylarge.htm

Here is the unit before and after:

In my garage on my workbench, pre-surgery.


The nasty wick


Scalpel. . .


All done with cutting (at this point I cleaned the edge a little bit with a sander thing)


To be cont. . .

[SuperT]

cont. . .

5 dry polymers (left), 5 wet (right). Wow, those suckers swell!


2 lb. bag (left), 3 tbs (right) with 1 cup of water (makes a lot!)


Filled 1/2 to 2/3 full in Oasis base. Have about 1/2 of my wet polymers left over.


I hope this helps all those that have an Oasis figure out if they are interested in doing this or not. I've also heard of others using these in Staebell's Set N Forget system.

I'm thinking about taking an aluminum tube from a cigar and drilling tiny holes in the cap or tube, filling with polymers and using it in a traveldor (15 ct Cigar Caddy), any thoughts on this?

-T

[galaga]

Originally Posted by SuperT

cont. . .

....................
I'm thinking about taking an aluminum tube from a cigar and drilling tiny holes in the cap or tube, filling with polymers and using it in a traveldor (15 ct Cigar Caddy), any thoughts on this?

-T

I'm using an aluminum tubewith 65% beads, since they regulate the humidity and those otter boxes seal up tight. I leave the cedar sleeve inside the tube to keep bead particles from getting into the otter box. Seems like a good way to retro fit an oasis.

[SuperT]

Kinda what I was thinking, 65% beads would be a much better option for a cigar caddy.

Thanks,
T

[SeanGAR]

I use the crystals but didn't open the thing up at all. I attached a hose to one side, let water run through, and using a thin knife I chopped the foam at the exit side until all the foam was gone. Took 5 minutes. I can't see if the beads are discoloring except at the 2 sides, but crystals are so cheap I don't have a problem blowing all the old ones out and using new crystals. Less hassle that slicing it open, less chance for leaks around that big opening but more hassle in checking the beads.

Thanks for the post, these crystals hold WAY more water than the silica beads and since the Oasis regulates humidity, putting siliza beads doesn't sound like a good plan. This is a great improvement over the floral foam inside those older units.

[sirxlaughs]

That looks like the same gel that you can buy in a lot of places. It also looks like the same stuff that is used in drymistats. They regulate humidity since they can absorb and give off moisture.
http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Pr...CC-CONSERVAGEL
http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Pr...ctid=ACC-CIGEL

http://drymistat.com/techn.html
this picture is off the link from the drymistat site.


I have a few drymistat tubes, 2 lbs of beads, and a cigar oasis all together taking care of my stash.

[SuperT]

Originally Posted by sirxlaughs

That looks like the same gel that you can buy in a lot of places. It also looks like the same stuff that is used in drymistats. They regulate humidity since they can absorb and give off moisture.
http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Pr...CC-CONSERVAGEL
http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Pr...ctid=ACC-CIGEL

http://drymistat.com/techn.html
this picture is off the link from the drymistat site.


I have a few drymistat tubes, 2 lbs of beads, and a cigar oasis all together taking care of my stash.

I believe this to be different that what you posted (at least in the first post). From what I've learned, these retain more water and are not conditioned to release a certain amount of humidity (like heartfelt, climmax and those posted).

They just absorb a ton of water and give it off as they please.

[palm55]

PHEW!!!

You may just have a convert here!!!

I've been using the Pampers, soaked with distilled water, in my coolerdors... But they sure take up a whole lotta' room!!!

[cf2112]

I've used these polymors in my Cigar Oasis and my Set N Forget for a while now with excellent results. Try it, you' like it.

[jkim05]

brilliant!!

[bartolomeo]

Here are some detailed pics of the Watersorb crystals I added to my Oasis after ripping the foam out.......amazing how they grow so quickly

Word of caution: Make sure not to put too many in the Oasis or the crystals will rise and possibly interact with the Oasis fan

Bart

Raw form in bag


Dry in cup before water


Added some water


Growing......


and growing


and growing

[Ray]

I have the Oasis XL II, I'm wondering now if this would be a worthwhile upgrade. It's interesting, that's for sure. Could you post updates for a while on how often you have to fill it and how steady the humidity is?

[bartolomeo]

I actually had to take some beads out of the Oasis b/c it continues to rise as more water is put in there

I think you need less beads than you actually think when using them

Bart