[massphatness]

Originally Posted by SilverFox

Sounds to me like this would not be a wise usage for cigars. My first thought is simple, there is no humidity control associated with these Aqua Gems. They simply are an absorbing agent that effectively dries up over time.

You mentioned that you replaced the floral foam due to mold...........did you use straight water on the foam or did you use a mixture of water and propylene glycol? The reason I ask is that by itself floral foam is not intended nor will it act as a humidity stabilizing component which is what you want in your humidor.

The use of propylene glycol has a twofold benefit.

Firstly, the formation of mold as well as bacteria is actively prevented. Secondly, propylene glycol forms a thin layer on the surface of the humidifier, which absorbs humidity at humidity levels of over 70% and which emits humidity at humidity levels below 70%. In this way, the humidifier is self-adjusting and will automatically stabilize the humidity level at an optimum level of approximately 70%.

Now if you were looking to replace your humidification unit I can understand looking for alternatives, however, I would think your main concern would be to find something that is an active humidifier. By active I mean something that will release moisture when the content in your humidor is below a set point (whatever percentage you like but between 60% and 70% and my preference would be closer to the 60% range) and would absorb moisture if the RH% in your box went above the set point.

There are a multitude of options out there.

foam and propylene glycol.
A half dozen if not more bead suppliers (heartfelt, cigarmony, HCM beads, cheaphumidors, etc etc)
Active digital units like Cigar Oasis, Hydra
Humipacks like Boveda

While your RH is constant after 2 weeks I would argue that it is more a matter of chance than a good substitute humidification system. It sounds to me like it would take much more monitoring and you would subject your cigars to fluctuations in RH, that may be ok for you but I am of the opinion that cigars like wine do not like change and that an environment that is not constant puts them at risk.

For myself I am with Tom on this one, they simply are not designed for the purpose and therefore it is not something I would do or recommend.

and now i can die happy

/threadjack