Re: Shilala Beads
 

Yeah-- I have a vinotemp, a large desktop and a avanti compressor based dorm fridge. I had to unplug the avanti, but the humidity is steady in it now that it is not running. Problem is that the cigars are over 76 sometimes--no beetles yet though.
The vinotemp is okay, but it has wild swings when my office gets hot. I'm hoping the shila beads help this one. The desktop cabinet has a cigar oasis in it that works pretty well, but those cigars get warm as well.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

If you think the packaging for your beads is getting worn and will leak, let me know and I will send you out a replacement and then you can return the worn out one (placing it in a ziplock or the like before shipping it :)). No charge for you except the postage to return the old one.

This applies whether you purchased the beads from either me or Scott.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

+1 for that customer service!! :tu :tu

Re: Shilala Beads
 

yup as always great customer service wish all companies were this good

Re: Shilala Beads
 

I just purchased 3 more 8oz bags!
These are hands down the easiest form of humidification I have found!
Great product!!!

Re: Shilala Beads
 

I've started using these since late Sept and was using Heartfelt beads for almost a decade prior.
So far been rock steady at 65% without any issues or maintenance.
:tu

Re: Shilala Beads
 

:r :lr:r :lr:r

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Zombifying this thread to ask a question & get opinions:

I've had 8 oz of Shilala beads in my glasstop for a long time. After resealing the humi last year, it's maintained 62% pretty solidly year round.

Haven't had a cigar from there in about 10 days, but when I passed by this morning I took a peek at the hygrometer and it read 67dg/50%. 50%??!?! The temp is correct, so I'm not thinking it's the batteries. I'll do a recalibration this weekend, meanwhile can anyone explain that significant of a drop in humidity? If the beads need recharging, will they gradually lose their moisture or can it be that precipitous?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Aside from not knowing what the beads are....I'd say you may want to re-calibrate them.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Gerard, hygros can go flaky, too. I have one in my winador that's driving me nuts. I just put batteries in it and recalibrated it and it's still off by a mile. I'm going to throw it in the calibration bag again and see what it says (I use a bunch of 65% Boveda bags in a gallon ziplock to calibrate).
Being as your situation doesn't make sense, I'm just taking a wild shot. It wouldn't hurt to replace the battery if it's been in there more than a year.
Your humi could have split a seam or something, too.
You know what you're doing, so I won't bore you to death, I just wanted to point out that hygros can get goofy cause I'm going through that right now. :)

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Updating my situation:

I swapped out the hygrometer from my cooler with the one in the glasstop, and it still read 50%. So I took out the bottom layer of sticks in the humidor, placed a bowl of water in with the beads, put the top tray back in, and sealed her up. Over the past 10 days, the humidity has slowly climbed by about 1% per day so she's sitting right now at 70dg/67%. I may go a tad higher before returning all the cigars to their previous positions.

Not sure what caused the drop. I resealed this last year, and it had been holding steady for some time. Could be that my stepson, who spends a lot of time in that room, or one of his friends, have been poking around in the humidor, but I won't ever know that for sure.

Anyway, the problem seems to be fixing itself, so that's the important thing.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

I figured I should update my humidor status since going beads.

Since I got beads shilala beads through Michael (CigarNut) Everytime I open my humidor its on 65% not even a 1% fluctuation. I can't believe how rock solid it stays. No more overpriced water and flower foam BS.:tu

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Very dumb question. I really don't want to pan through 6 pages for an answer either.
What do you put this on? I mean, it doesn't seem like you could put the Distilled water in it, and just leave that on bare wood. Wouldn't that cause problems?

Re: Shilala Beads
 

I have no idea what you are asking? Is this a reference to beads? Hydrating? :sh

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Yea, I went to the website, and there was a pouch that comes in different sizes and weights. I'm not sure if you just put some water in it, and then just drop it off?

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Just thought I'd throw my experiences into the ring here. I'm a relative newbie, only been smoking cigars since October 2010. When I started purchasing stuff, I did my research and on the humidity-control side bought into the Shilala/HCM beads.

Since my first 75-count size desktop humidor, I've expanded into a smallish end-table humidor, and also constructed a DIY temperature-controlled Igloodor. Everything I've got uses Shilala/HCM beads. However, I confess that I do have active humidification in the end table because it was second hand and leaks a bit more than it should, and and I'm a lazy butt. One of these days I'll get some weather stripping and be done with it. :rolleyes:

I've always dealt with Mike (CigarNut) and he's a great guy; the product isn't so bad either (vast understatement, grin).

So far I've not had an RH blip that wasn't self inflicted or an hygrometer glitch. I do know for sure though, that if I ever grow past the 600 stick level I'm at now, you can be sure it'll be with HCM beads!

GREAT job, guys! Kudos for the science AND the great customer relations! My hat's off to you!

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Nothing to do or add. Just buy the beads put them in your humidor and enjoy steady RH bliss.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

You never add water directly to HCM beads. There are detailed instructions on the website and shipped with the beads that explain how to raise or lower the RH so I won't repeat them here. While it takes a litte time it is not too difficult.

The beads are shipped to you in a vacuum sealed bag at 65% RH. All you need to do is place them in your humidor, they can go anywhere in your humidor, most people place them on the bottom. It is OK if the beads touch your cigars.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

:gary
haha thanks. That's where I was confused.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

What is the reason for the specific size of the beads? To add surface area over what larger beads offer? Sorry, just had me curious.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

A couple of questions:

1. When filling out the order form on the website, how long does it take to receive feedback to make the order?

2. Once the order is made, how long after payment is made is the product sent out?

3. Where is the product being shipped from? (i.e. how long to reach southern California?)

I am working on a very tight schedule, and trying to figure out the best time to order. I promise I am not trying to be an @$$. Basically, start to finish, how long does the complete process take? Thanks!

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Try Pm'ing CigarNut directly, he's the one that sells the beads now.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

1. I try to respond to orders as soon as I get them. If they come between 10pm-5am PDT there may be a few hours delay. My response is via email and the emails can be stuck in your Junk Mail folder.

2. The product is usually shipped the next business day after receipt of payment. Depends upon what time the payment was made (see #1).

3. Beaverton, Oregon. I ship USPS Flat Rate. Most packages reach their destination within 2-3 business days.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Thank you for the extremely fast response! I look forward to doing business with you in the near future!

One more quick question. The two 2oz bags seem to be labled incorrectly, atleast the way I view them. It would seem to me that the stick bag would be skinnier, however the dimension for it are larger than the bag. Am I interpreting it correctly, if I want a slimmer bead bag? Thanks again!

Re: Shilala Beads
 

The dimensions on the FAQ page were correct and there was a typo on the Products page. The dimensions are:

• 2 oz. bag -- Approximately 2.75" x 2.75" x .5"
• 2 oz. soft bead stick -- Approximately 6.0" x .75" x .5"

Re: Shilala Beads
 

Thanks again! You have been extremely helpful!:banger

Re: Shilala Beads
 

I just spent the better part of an hour and a half reading through this entire monster. I am getting a humidor built next week from Waxing Moon and am considering using Shilala's beads as opposed to HF due to the various praises sung on CA. My main question is..

Can I use these beads to actually season a box? In other words, since this box will be brand new [Oh, and btw... I live in a desert :-D], can I just dump the beads in the humi and forget about it for a week or two? Or will the beads drop in those 2 weeks while trying to reach equilibirum? I know people say that these beads keep it at a solid RH, but I realize they try to reach an equilibrium so that makes me kinda worried. Thanks for any advice!

Re: Shilala Beads
 

No season, as normal with water or a bovada pack.
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Re: Shilala Beads
 

I see. Well, I only got 2 65%ers.. Might have to grab 6 more for this beast of a humi if I choose to go the route of seasoning with Boveda.

Re: Shilala Beads
 

No you need to get the boveda seasoning pack. I think it is 85% or something... really a shot glass of distilled water works great.
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