Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)

[skier171]

I had one of the puck shaped bead holder for my smaller humi, and I think im going to get the bigger size bead puck for the new humi. its made for a humi with around 10 more cubic inches than the one ive got coming.

That should be fine, right?

Thanks for the help guys, so many knowledgeable guys and so much info in here.

[68TriShield]

Originally Posted by skier171

I had one of the puck shaped bead holder for my smaller humi, and I think im going to get the bigger size bead puck for the new humi. its made for a humi with around 10 more cubic inches than the one ive got coming.

That should be fine, right?

Thanks for the help guys, so many knowledgeable guys and so much info in here.

I would say yes although I would ditch the floral foam and retrofit it with humidity beads.

[CigarNut]

I am taking over the production and sale of Shilala's beads from Scott. I don't have any pucks, but these beads are prepackaged in bags of various sizes that lay in your humindor and work very well at stabilizing and maintaining the RH.

The web site is not complete, but you can take a look at what is there so far, which also includes a calculator: Shilala's Beads (www.shilalasbeads.com).

These beads have many very small, uniform pores so their ability to hold moisture is much greater than other beads. They also do not absorb particles from air (or water) so they stay clean. They will absorb free ammonia (given off by all cigars, but particularly NC's), but even the amount of ammonia is so small that it will not "taint" the beads.

The beads themselves are inert, so they contain no harmful chemicals or toxins. If cared for properly, they will last forever. Proper care: don't immerse in water (not a chemical reaction, just friction which causes extreme heat).

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

[jsnake]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

I am taking over the production and sale of Shilala's beads from Scott. I don't have any pucks, but these beads are prepackaged in bags of various sizes that lay in your humindor and work very well at stabilizing and maintaining the RH.

The web site is not complete, but you can take a look at what is there so far, which also includes a calculator: Shilala's Beads (www.shilalasbeads.com).

These beads have many very small, uniform pores so their ability to hold moisture is much greater than other beads. They also do not absorb particles from air (or water) so they stay clean. They will absorb free ammonia (given off by all cigars, but particularly NC's), but even the amount of ammonia is so small that it will not "taint" the beads.

The beads themselves are inert, so they contain no harmful chemicals or toxins. If cared for properly, they will last forever. Proper care: don't immerse in water (not a chemical reaction, just friction which causes extreme heat).

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

These sound interesting. Have you used Heartfelt beads before? If so, how would you compare the two? I would like to learn more about these.

[cort]

Originally Posted by jsnake

These sound interesting. Have you used Heartfelt beads before? If so, how would you compare the two? I would like to learn more about these.

I started my bead journey with Heartfelt and while thier beads work great they work no where near as well as the Shilala Beads do. Those things are magical. The best part is they are almost zero maintenance.

[jsnake]

Heartfelt beads are the way to go! I was bombed with a pound of beads from another company and they are not near the quality as the Heartfelt beads. They take forever to charge and don't seem to hold a good charge. They also kept exploding on me even though I was using a spray bottle to charge them slowly.

Heartfelt beads are so easy to use and hassle free. Definitely worth the peace of mind. I will never use regular pucks again.

[skier171]

How often do you reload your heartfelt beads?

They have worked wonders in my smaller humi, and i just bought from cigarmony the bigger puck for the incoming humi.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by skier171

How often do you reload your heartfelt beads?

They have worked wonders in my smaller humi, and i just bought from cigarmony the bigger puck for the incoming humi.

Much depends on the ambient Rh and how often you open the humi. Since this is your only humidor, I would guess you will need to recharge every 3-4 weeks.
It shouldnt be much different from the puck you use now. Also, if you still have the old beads you can use both together as long as they are the same Rh. You can never have too many beads.

[skier171]

A few months later along the path, and I have more questions...

If there are different Rh, (puck 50 = 65, puck 100 = 70) what would happen?

Also, i've noticed the wrapper being quite fragile (sometimes ripping when taking cello off) in my bigger humi where the temp has been right around 68 and rh is usually reading 67-69. Any ideas whats wrong in there? (and this is a case by case deal, most are perceftly fine, but on occasion i get one where the wrapper cracks shortly after lighting...)

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by skier171

A few months later along the path, and I have more questions...

If there are different Rh, (puck 50 = 65, puck 100 = 70) what would happen?

Also, i've noticed the wrapper being quite fragile (sometimes ripping when taking cello off) in my bigger humi where the temp has been right around 68 and rh is usually reading 67-69. Any ideas whats wrong in there? (and this is a case by case deal, most are perceftly fine, but on occasion i get one where the wrapper cracks shortly after lighting...)

Sounds like they're too dry...you may want to change your humidifying system and get some gel jars or beads, make sure your humidor seals well, and get a good hygrometer...

Was smoking a cigar and brown ink fluid kept coming out the head of a cigar. At first it was just a little brown (guess it was like a tobacco stain) on my fingers then I started to notice almost a drop. I thought it was saliva but then made sure to not salivate over the end and it kept getting worse.

Someone else who smoked some from that bundle said they got a little of the same thing. One of my cigar buddies thought it was just oils coming out, I have never seen that much come out.

Any ideas? Humidor was at 65 to 70, and I was thinking maybe for whatever reason the stick was too wet...curious to know more.

[bobarian]

The brown liquid is tar, foul tasting. Sometimes you can recut and it will stop. Also smoking slower will keep the tar from flowing. But there are times you just have to pitch the stick. It happens randomly and can appear with any cigar, from cheap to super premium.

Originally Posted by bobarian

The brown liquid is tar, foul tasting. Sometimes you can recut and it will stop. Also smoking slower will keep the tar from flowing. But there are times you just have to pitch the stick. It happens randomly and can appear with any cigar, from cheap to super premium.

Good to know!

I did have to just put it down, but it was a cheaper stick so I wasn't too concerned.

Was kinda worried I was doing something wrong to cause it.

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by Morgue

Was smoking a cigar and brown ink fluid kept coming out the head of a cigar. At first it was just a little brown (guess it was like a tobacco stain) on my fingers then I started to notice almost a drop. I thought it was saliva but then made sure to not salivate over the end and it kept getting worse.

Someone else who smoked some from that bundle said they got a little of the same thing. One of my cigar buddies thought it was just oils coming out, I have never seen that much come out.

Any ideas? Humidor was at 65 to 70, and I was thinking maybe for whatever reason the stick was too wet...curious to know more.

What specific cigar was it?

I have another thought but want to find out first.

~Mark

Originally Posted by N2Advnture

What specific cigar was it?

I have another thought but want to find out first.

~Mark

an 1876 Churchill

[theonlybear4CORT]

So lately I have been in a smoking slump,I don't really have the desire to smoke unless it's at a herf. have any of the old gorillas been down this road? also whats the cure?








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[bobarian]

Originally Posted by sonic_mike

So lately I have been in a smoking slump,I don't really have the desire to smoke unless it's at a herf. have any of the old gorillas been down this road? also whats the cure?



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Nothing wrong with taking a break, Mike. You have a lot on your mind right now. Sometimes its good to take a break to refresh you palate.

[theonlybear4CORT]

Originally Posted by leasingthisspace

I am not a FOG but I have been down this road. If you don't feel like smoking then don't. I just went like 2 months without one.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by bobarian

Nothing wrong with taking a break, Mike. You have a lot on your mind right now. Sometimes its good to take a break to refresh you palate.

thank you both I think I'll wait for a bit and smoke a few on the big day,hope to see you there Bob.

I am not a FOG but I have been down this road. If you don't feel like smoking then don't. I just went like 2 months without one.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jonumberone]

I have seen some pics on this site of labeled cigars. I did a search and found what people use to label them (napkin rings, p-touch, blank labels,..etc) but not why. I have always been the buy, cut, smoke, repeat type, turning my small humidor over every 4-6 weeks. I have just graduated to a cabinet and plan on keeping more cigars for longer. So i'm wondering why people label their cigars, What info they place on the label, and is this something everyone storing cigars should do? Or is it only practiced by anal retentive types?