Gel Water Beads

Tuxguy · 02-27-2009, 09:51 PM

So the wife and I went to the Home and Garden show this evening. There was a booth selling these gel water beads to more or less put in vases of plants and flowers. The wife decided she wanted some, so we bought some. They are really tiny but once you add water they expand and hold the water for awhile. Over time they shrink up and then you add more water. My question is, will these work in my humidors if I add distilled water to them. I do not see why not, the only issue that I see is controlling the RH.
Here is a link of the beads I am speaking of.
http://www.soilmoist.com/products/decobeads.php

02-27-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuxguy

I do not see why not, the only issue that I see is controlling the RH.

Isn't that reason enough to rule them out as a means of humidifying your sticks.

Honestly, it's not worth the risk.

Tuxguy · 02-27-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

Isn't that reason enough to rule them out as a means of humidifying your sticks.

Honestly, it's not worth the risk.

I have Heartfelt beads in both my humidors so I have no need to put these in there. I was just wondering if these things would work though. You really can not control the RH if you use that floral foam crap either.

02-27-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuxguy

I have Heartfelt beads in both my humidors so I have no need to put these in there. I was just wondering if these things would work though.

I really doubt it. Since their is no means of controlling or regulating the humidity I bet it would go buck wild depending on ambient temp/RH.

02-27-2009, 10:08 PM

these crystals are what is used in Drymistat brand humidity tubes. They are also what is in the Xikar Gel Humidifiers, and the gel humidifiers that I sell. Do not fill them with straight distilled water. Fill them with a water /pg solution, and your humidity will stay at about 70%. one advantage of these crystals is that they hold a LOT of humidor solution. they last a long time.

M1903A1 · 02-27-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonC

They are also what is in the Xikar Gel Humidifiers

I bought a couple of these not too long ago, and my RH (and sticks) have improved a LOT. Agree 100% about the 50/50 solution too.

Tuxguy · 02-27-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonC

these crystals are what is used in Drymistat brand humidity tubes. They are also what is in the Xikar Gel Humidifiers, and the gel humidifiers that I sell. Do not fill them with straight distilled water. Fill them with a water /pg solution, and your humidity will stay at about 70%. one advantage of these crystals is that they hold a LOT of humidor solution. they last a long time.

Interesting

JaKaacH · 02-27-2009, 10:38 PM

I use them in my humidors and coolers with distilled water only, they work great.
I'm pretty sure it is the same stuff thats in "water pillows" sold in B&Ms everywhere.

02-28-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaKaacH

I use them in my humidors and coolers with distilled water only, they work great.
I'm pretty sure it is the same stuff thats in "water pillows" sold in B&Ms everywhere.

it is the stuff thats in Water Pillows.

using the PG mix in the Pillows makes them work even better.

02-28-2009, 11:11 AM

Yes it works. They make many sizes of crystal gel humidifier that replace the standard humidifiers inside your humidor quite nicely. One of the best upgrades you can make to a desktop humidor is to use this over florist foam type humidifiers.

CigarNut · 08-12-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonC

these crystals are what is used in Drymistat brand humidity tubes. They are also what is in the Xikar Gel Humidifiers, and the gel humidifiers that I sell. Do not fill them with straight distilled water. Fill them with a water /pg solution, and your humidity will stay at about 70%. one advantage of these crystals is that they hold a LOT of humidor solution. they last a long time.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "pg solution"?

poker · 08-12-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "pg solution"?

PG = Poly Glycol

Solution meaning the ratio of distilled water to PG (1:1, 1.5:1 etc

http://www.cigargroup.com/faq/#5.2

Tenor CS · 02-27-2009, 11:31 PM

I use Heartfelt beads in my big humidors. However, I use the Drymistat tubes in my travel humidors, and the 3 small 20-count humis that I have. RonC has, in my purchases from him, shown to have top-notch products, and I will definitely heed his advice to use a H2O/PG solution rather than straight distilled. It makes sense to me.

bigloo · 08-11-2009, 06:12 PM

I use this stuff treated with PG in conjunction with beads in all my humidors. I end up having to refill the water gel about once every 2 months. along with the beads my humidity is worry free 65-67% ofr 60 days at a time and then all it takes is 2 ounce water top off. I never actually add water to my beads. I love the stuff and it works very well with beads to control the humidity.

bigloo · 08-11-2009, 06:20 PM

Also, the PG helps prevent mold... think about it... wet damp gel.. dark 70 degree box... PG helps prevent mold!

08-12-2009, 07:17 PM

I use the gel in my Hydra LG. Coated them with PG first, then added distilled. Only filled half the space that the foam filled, keeps at 68% in conjunctionwith oust fans and 2 bead tubes that I never add water to.

Works the nuts....

02-27-2009, 09:51 PM	#1
Tuxguy Feeling at Home Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jason Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 752 Trading: (26)	Gel Water Beads So the wife and I went to the Home and Garden show this evening. There was a booth selling these gel water beads to more or less put in vases of plants and flowers. The wife decided she wanted some, so we bought some. They are really tiny but once you add water they expand and hold the water for awhile. Over time they shrink up and then you add more water. My question is, will these work in my humidors if I add distilled water to them. I do not see why not, the only issue that I see is controlling the RH. Here is a link of the beads I am speaking of. http://www.soilmoist.com/products/decobeads.php

02-27-2009, 10:38 PM	#8
JaKaacH ROCK Chalk JAYHAWK K U Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Living in the golden age of ignorance in power. Posts: 1,363 Trading: (32)	Re: Gel Water Beads I use them in my humidors and coolers with distilled water only, they work great. I'm pretty sure it is the same stuff thats in "water pillows" sold in B&Ms everywhere. __________________ --Anger Management Graduate-- WHAT the F^#% you looking at???

02-28-2009, 11:11 AM	#10
pmp Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Gel Water Beads Yes it works. They make many sizes of crystal gel humidifier that replace the standard humidifiers inside your humidor quite nicely. One of the best upgrades you can make to a desktop humidor is to use this over florist foam type humidifiers.

02-27-2009, 11:31 PM	#13
Tenor CS Feeling Better! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Christian Location: Davenport, FL (near Orlando) Posts: 717 Trading: (2)	Re: Gel Water Beads I use Heartfelt beads in my big humidors. However, I use the Drymistat tubes in my travel humidors, and the 3 small 20-count humis that I have. RonC has, in my purchases from him, shown to have top-notch products, and I will definitely heed his advice to use a H2O/PG solution rather than straight distilled. It makes sense to me. __________________ When the world itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?

08-11-2009, 06:12 PM	#14
bigloo Crazy like a fox Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Lu Location: Rose City Posts: 905 Trading: (27)	Re: Gel Water Beads I use this stuff treated with PG in conjunction with beads in all my humidors. I end up having to refill the water gel about once every 2 months. along with the beads my humidity is worry free 65-67% ofr 60 days at a time and then all it takes is 2 ounce water top off. I never actually add water to my beads. I love the stuff and it works very well with beads to control the humidity.

02-27-2009, 10:08 PM	#5
RonC Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Gel Water Beads these crystals are what is used in Drymistat brand humidity tubes. They are also what is in the Xikar Gel Humidifiers, and the gel humidifiers that I sell. Do not fill them with straight distilled water. Fill them with a water /pg solution, and your humidity will stay at about 70%. one advantage of these crystals is that they hold a LOT of humidor solution. they last a long time.

08-11-2009, 06:20 PM	#15
bigloo Crazy like a fox Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Lu Location: Rose City Posts: 905 Trading: (27)	Re: Gel Water Beads Also, the PG helps prevent mold... think about it... wet damp gel.. dark 70 degree box... PG helps prevent mold!

08-12-2009, 07:17 PM	#16
Toasted Coastie Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Gel Water Beads I use the gel in my Hydra LG. Coated them with PG first, then added distilled. Only filled half the space that the foam filled, keeps at 68% in conjunctionwith oust fans and 2 bead tubes that I never add water to. Works the nuts....