Humidity Concerns and Heartfelt Beads ?

[Rubix^3]

So last year at this time I was a Puff (Club Stogie back then...) lurker. I learned a whole lot, especially about humidor upkeep and the notorious Heartfelt Beads. Eventually, with the bad influence of dudes here, I purchased a bigger desktop humi and a 1/2lb of 70% beads. They have worked fantastic all year, but I have run into problems as of late.
In the last few weeks our temps have gotten much warmer and it has rained like the end-times. With this rapid spike in heat and humidity, I have noticed that some of my cigars are a little squishier than they should be and some of them seem "bloated" at the foot, a couple have even split a little at the foot. I haven't added water to my beads in over a month and they are almost totally white. Hygro says 72% when I open the lid and the temp is around 73.
Do I need more beads in there? Would the 65% beads absorb humidity faster than the 70's do?
Time for the elders to chime in. Thanks in advance!

[madurolover]

Most will advise that you get a few more beads than needed to help control humidity swings. I use 50% more than the calculations call for. Being on the coast it may be 68% humidity outside one day and then 95% for a week. I don't think 65% beads will absorb the humidity faster but they would help to lower it some.

[ongreystreet]

I've found putting extra cedar into a humidor to be a good way to remove moisture.

Cigar box lids, like the ones that slide off of Nub boxes are pretty easy to use.

[Rubix^3]

Yeah, it just seems like the beads aren't keeping up this week. I have the the long rectangular humi device filled with beads already, but I was thinking about maybe getting an additional cigar sized tube for the bottom shelf.

[Rev2010]

I too have had instances in my old desktop humi with the humidity going up to 72-73% with 65% beads that were bone dry. But my new humi is running much more stable with them.

I've read that Shilala's beads do a much better job at taking moisture out of the air but I can't personally confirm this. If I were you I would just get some typical silica gel packs (like the ones that come with items) and keep them in there until the reading is 65% then remove them and monitor the humidity.

I too have noticed that with this season the humidity in the air is much higher. As a result my humi has been at 68% humidity for weeks now and the Heartfelt tubes are totally dry. It's been quite a while since I last added water to them. So who knows, maybe they are doing their job. I just know I did indeed experience what you have with my old desktop humi. Then again, the humi's seal my be at fault here rather than the beads.


Rev.

[Jack Straw]

Originally Posted by Rev2010

Then again, the humi's seal my be at fault here rather than the beads.

I think that's the bottom line - the added humidity outside may slightly warp the outer wood of the humi and cause it to 'breathe' more than it usually would.

[Rubix^3]

Thanks Rev. This is my first Spring-Summer transition with this setup so I am in the trial and error phase now. I have never had so many cigars split at the foot before (about 10 that I can tell out of 100+). They are all still fine, and smokeable, but no one likes to see there little buddies hurt!

[Rev2010]

Originally Posted by Rubix^3

They are all still fine, and smokeable, but no one likes to see there little buddies hurt!

Oh definitely, I know what you mean. It's odd though cause you said your hygrometer is reading only 72%, which generally isn't high enough to do that to your sticks.

I'm guessing it's a digital hygro? If it's the old style with the needle then those are pretty terrible at accurate readings.



Rev.

[Rubix^3]

Yep digital. My analog in the other desktop actually reads about the same and has a similar bead set-up. Leads me to believe the beads are in both cases out manned by the unruly, sneak-attack humid conditions.

[ongreystreet]

I personally don't use the HF beads, I tried that once and it didn't work out so great. After some advice from a guy that works in a B&M I turned to the cat litter crystals. What's nice is I have pounds of this stuff for cheap, and if my humidity gets high, I just replace some crystals or add some more.

[a j]

Originally Posted by ongreystreet

I personally don't use the HF beads, I tried that once and it didn't work out so great. After some advice from a guy that works in a B&M I turned to the cat litter crystals. What's nice is I have pounds of this stuff for cheap, and if my humidity gets high, I just replace some crystals or add some more.

?? What Name, type of cat litter, where can you buy it. What formula did you use to set up initially ? ie' 2 oz. etc
Thanks A J

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by Rev2010

I too have had instances in my old desktop humi with the humidity going up to 72-73% with 65% beads that were bone dry. But my new humi is running much more stable with them.

I've read that Shilala's beads do a much better job at taking moisture out of the air but I can't personally confirm this. If I were you I would just get some typical silica gel packs (like the ones that come with items) and keep them in there until the reading is 65% then remove them and monitor the humidity.

I too have noticed that with this season the humidity in the air is much higher. As a result my humi has been at 68% humidity for weeks now and the Heartfelt tubes are totally dry. It's been quite a while since I last added water to them. So who knows, maybe they are doing their job. I just know I did indeed experience what you have with my old desktop humi. Then again, the humi's seal my be at fault here rather than the beads.


Rev.

Silica Gel paks work wonders and I have been using them for quite a long time when the weather gets muggy here in HOTLANTA,,,,the gel gets the humidity back where it belongs in very short order.

[Rubix^3]

Silica Gel packs. Thanks for the advice bros. I'll give them a try.

Eric

[ongreystreet]

Originally Posted by a j

?? What Name, type of cat litter, where can you buy it. What formula did you use to set up initially ? ie' 2 oz. etc
Thanks A J

I use the Esquisicat Crystals

ExquisiCat® Crystals Cat Litter - Litter - Cat - PetSmart

They are clear and blue and made from 100% silica sand. They are unscented. You might have to go a pet store to find these, it can be hard to find in Walmart, Target, etc. I got mine 8 pounds for under $15.

I just guessed on the amount to use based on prior experience and use them in my fridgador, and it is holding pretty steady at 69%-71% for about 2 months now. The rumblings that this stuff is designed to work at 68%. I am reseasoning my 50 ct wooden humidor and it's been sitting at 69% all week. Like the beads, you can't really use too much of this stuff, just don't over saturate.

[Acesfull]

+1 on the kitty litter.. although I will testify to the heartfelt beads.. when I was in Iraq I ordered my 3000 Count Cabinet Humi with a LG Hydra from Cheaphumidors.com, I also ordered 65% beads from heartfelt to use in there for stabilization. Well when I got home... I found out that my mom (she was taking care of my humidors/cigars for me while I was gone) wasnt even using the LG Hydra while I was gone. The beads were holding the entire humidor between 63-65% solidly the whole time I was gone. Since I got back I hooked the LG up and it stays between 66-64% with the beads and LG. So the beads do work when used properly. Make sure you have the right amount of beads and that they are "clear" in appearance so they are doing their thing