Cheap alternatives to "cigar" beads?

borndead1 · 09-27-2009, 05:07 AM

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm not a big fan of beads. They take up a lot of space and are slow to release/absorb moisture.

I use plain old floral foam rectangular humidifiers in my coolers and 100 count, and a Cigar Oasis in each of my wine fridges.

Granted, neither one of them absorb humidity like beads, but I set the level on the Oasis lower than I actually want it, and when the humidity gets low in the coolers/100 ct I just put a little bit of water in the foam humidifiers instead of soaking them. I'm gonna take a quick peek at my readings.

100 count -- 63% humidity
Cooler #1 -- 66% humidity
Cooler #2 -- 69% humidity (gonna leave it open for a few minutes

)
Fridge #1 -- 62% humidity (Cigar Oasis unplugged for over 1 month now)
Fridge #2 -- 67% humidity (Cigar Oasis unplugged for over 1 month now)

You can get the old school rectangle humidifiers on c bid for $3.

TheTraveler · 09-27-2009, 03:52 PM

I'm not getting consistent, constant average RH with floral foam and distilled water. Granted, it's probably my technique ... I should add less water and do it more often probably.

Anyway, I'll add water to the foam and my humi will go from 62% up to 72% or 75% overnight, then I'll take the foam device out and over the next two weeks it will creep down to 62% again and I'll add the humidification device and start the process over.

It seems that every time I smoke a cigar when the humi is between 70% and 75% I get a bad smoke; won't burn right, won't stay lit, is a little harsh tasting, burns hotter 'cause of the relights, touchups and harder drawing.

What I want is consistent 65% RH with low maintenance. I believe I need some beads.

09-27-2009, 05:07 AM	#1
borndead1 Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 1,376 Trading: (7)	Re: Cheap alternatives to "cigar" beads? I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm not a big fan of beads. They take up a lot of space and are slow to release/absorb moisture. I use plain old floral foam rectangular humidifiers in my coolers and 100 count, and a Cigar Oasis in each of my wine fridges. Granted, neither one of them absorb humidity like beads, but I set the level on the Oasis lower than I actually want it, and when the humidity gets low in the coolers/100 ct I just put a little bit of water in the foam humidifiers instead of soaking them. I'm gonna take a quick peek at my readings. 100 count -- 63% humidity Cooler #1 -- 66% humidity Cooler #2 -- 69% humidity (gonna leave it open for a few minutes ) Fridge #1 -- 62% humidity (Cigar Oasis unplugged for over 1 month now) Fridge #2 -- 67% humidity (Cigar Oasis unplugged for over 1 month now) You can get the old school rectangle humidifiers on c bid for $3. __________________ None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

09-27-2009, 03:52 PM	#2
TheTraveler giggity giggitty Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jonathan Location: Near a Walmart Posts: 1,813 Trading: (12)	Re: Cheap alternatives to "cigar" beads? I'm not getting consistent, constant average RH with floral foam and distilled water. Granted, it's probably my technique ... I should add less water and do it more often probably. Anyway, I'll add water to the foam and my humi will go from 62% up to 72% or 75% overnight, then I'll take the foam device out and over the next two weeks it will creep down to 62% again and I'll add the humidification device and start the process over. It seems that every time I smoke a cigar when the humi is between 70% and 75% I get a bad smoke; won't burn right, won't stay lit, is a little harsh tasting, burns hotter 'cause of the relights, touchups and harder drawing. What I want is consistent 65% RH with low maintenance. I believe I need some beads. __________________ "My life is my own."