Boveda Packs Vs. Beads

[longknocker]

I know that most members use 65% RH beads for humidifying their humidors. Being a newbie, I don't want to ruin my cigars by over or under humidifying them. I realize that the least expensive humidification is distilled water over humid. beads. Does this sometimes present a problem over the long term with stale, musty smells from old beads and possible mold? I would think that the Boveda packs would maintain the RH in a narrower range than beads, according to Boveda's web site. Any advice as to the "best" humidification would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[JPH]

If you use distilled water on the beads you shouldn't get mold.... If your beads start to stink (hehe)... rinse them out with distilled water.... The Boveda packs work fine... its just you have to replace them...

I'd say get the beads.... no matter which you choose there is no chance you will "ruin your cigars".

[bobarian]

BEADS, BEADS, BEADS. DW may work fine this time of year for you, but as it gets hotter, especially in your location high humidity will be a big problem. Beads will suck up the extra humidity and help you keep things in better balance.

[gamayrouge]

I am using Boveda packs in my desktop humi but I am going to switch to beads on anything larger. In the end it's all about cost for me. I don't mind paying for 2 packets every 3 months, but when (not if) I get something larger, it's not as cost effective to go Boveda. (IMO)

[RonC]

try using a combo of Beads and Bovedas. If you maintain the beads, the Bovedas will last much longer than the normal 6 months. If you are away on vacation, and the beads run dry, the Bovedas will keep your cigars humidified.
The Bovedas are an excellent supplement to any humidification device.

[gamayrouge]

Originally Posted by RonC

try using a combo of Beads and Bovedas. If you maintain the beads, the Bovedas will last much longer than the normal 6 months. If you are away on vacation, and the beads run dry, the Bovedas will keep your cigars humidified.
The Bovedas are an excellent supplement to any humidification device.

I hadn't thought of that, thanks for the tip.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by longknocker

I would think that the Boveda packs would maintain the RH in a narrower range than beads, according to Boveda's web site.

Isn't it amazing that Boveda's website recommends Boveda packs over beads?

[gamayrouge]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Isn't it amazing that Boveda's website recommends Boveda packs over beads?

zOMG!

[str8edg]

I never thought of combining them... when I get set up I guess I will do something like that. I will be away from my humidor for the summer you see so I will need something that will work unattended for about 2 months. Sounds like this will work for sure

[hotreds]

I second the "combo" idea. You can even add old fashioned sponge units to the mix. Just remember to check the level and keep it btw 63-70 percent!

[yazzie]

IMHO if you are using Beads then you don't need to supplement with Boveda packs or anything else. If you are concerned about being away and not being able to recharge for a while, get more beads. Having more beads than is specified will allow you to go longer without recharging and and will bring your RH back to the deisred level much quicker when you open your storage device. Especially true for Cooleradors

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by yazzie

IMHO if you are using Beads then you don't need to supplement with Boveda packs or anything else. If you are concerned about being away and not being able to recharge for a while, get more beads. Having more beads than is specified will allow you to go longer without recharging and and will bring your RH back to the deisred level much quicker when you open your storage device. Especially true for Cooleradors

Thanks for all the advice from everyone! Do you have any humidity swings when using the beads? Will the RH go higher than the 65% Beads if too much distilled water is added? Any mold problems from anyone when using 65% beads? One thing I will never use again is the PG solution! I'm just now starting to get rid of the"chemical taste" from adding only PG solution to my foam humidifiers.

[Scud]

I've been combining both beads and Bovida packs for the past 8 months in my desktops, and aside from the Bovida packs hardening, they work great in combination. They just add a little extra which has been working perfectly.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by longknocker

Thanks for all the advice from everyone! Do you have any humidity swings when using the beads? Will the RH go higher than the 65% Beads if too much distilled water is added? Any mold problems from anyone when using 65% beads? One thing I will never use again is the PG solution! I'm just now starting to get rid of the"chemical taste" from adding only PG solution to my foam humidifiers.

The RH will temporarily rise above 65% if you add too much water, but it should stabilize itself in a reasonable amount of time. Avoid saturating the beads to the point where water is dripping out of the bag or sitting at the bottom of whatever you store them in, and you shouldn't have any mold issues. Keep in mind that if you have a forced air furnace, the humidity in your home during the winter is usually pretty low, and the beads will need to be recharged more often than in the summer.

[jsteel508]

I have a friend who uses Bovida packs and hsa learned how to re hydrate them. He uses them in his coolers and desk tops. Basicly take a few Bovida packs a dish of distilled water and a air tight air tight container and they will rehydrated themselves. IT may take a couple of days but it does work. I don't know how many times this can be done.