A lot of "newbies" tend to use tap water on a sponge or paper towel. This is a BIG no-no!

First off, you should be using distilled water.

Secondly, too much humidity can cause your smokes to swell and crack as well a create horrible draw problems.

The best solution is to use humidity controller beads. These are similar to the little silica beads that your find in shoes boxes and the like, EXCEPT humidity control beads absorb AND release moisture (the little silica packets merely absorb). The beads typically come in 2 versions, 65% RH and 70% RH - be sure to pick the ones that fit your smokes. (65 for Cubans and 70 for N/Cs).

Not all beads are created equal. Several companies sell the beads but some people (heartfelt industries) sell beads to that test better at maintaining the correct RH for that range (ie 65% or 70%). Other companies sell lesser quality beads that do the same thing but don't test as well in regards to maintaining the RH range, so be careful - you get what you pay for.

You can purchase mesh bags, plastic tubes with holes cut in or just use the toe cut off a set of panty hose to hold the beads.

To "charge" the beads, you can use a spray bottle to moisten the beads until about 60% opaque or use a small ketchup cup like you find at McDonalds. Fill it with distilled water and press the cup into the beads. The beads will take and give the moisture that it needs to maintain the proper RH.

Hope this helps and enjoy!
~Mark

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Cigarmony.com - Luxury Cigar Accessories & Apparel

Home of the Puck-ifier & RH Beads

A lot of people like the beads. I however, chose to go with the Cigar Oasis. I love it!

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"No occifer, I'm not as think as you drunk I am."

Great info! I use the beads as well with much success. Here's a link! www.heartfeltindustries.com

Good advice about using the proper solutions for controlling humidity. I like the beads for travel. Throw in a mesh pouch of beads in your traveldor and your set. I also use the cigar oasis at home. Works great. Mainly though I mix up my own PG solution and apply to wet oasis.

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Smoke the good ones first

Beads have more bang for the buck. The oasis can only be used for one unit, as the beads can be split up.. Go with beads they will never fail you even in a power short.....

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To all the ladies "SAVE A HORSE"

But on the flip side, there is something to be said for low maintenance. I fill the Oasis roughly once a year and forget it... whereas the beads you have to monitor. To each his own...

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"No occifer, I'm not as think as you drunk I am."

Like JeepCop say..To each his own. Do what works for you.
JR's has the humidifier sticks with the sponge in it .
Watersorb has the beads (large).
Buy the humidifier stick from JR's put the watersorg beads into the stick and for $6 you can have your own large humidification device.
$35- 10 sticks from JR (5 large and 5 small)
$15- 2lbs of beads from watersorb (lifetime supply) includes shipping
$5 shipping for JR's
$55 Total cost if you do it yourself
$350 if you buy them elsewhere
For my large humidor I use a plug-in Moist-N-Aire and it keeps my sticks 68 degrees spot on.
Tap water will clog your humidifiing devices because of minerals in the water. Who cares what you wipe down the inside of a humidor with. I used a paper towel and distilled water. Just let it set long enough to stabilize.
People in Cuba store their sticks in humidors with nothing except tobacco in them. Do you think the humidity stays at 65 degrees in Cuba? A little fluctuation, say between 68-72 degrees, is not going to kill your cigars.
This is a wonderful hobby we have my BOTL's,let's not worry about it, let's enjoy it.

Few bead questions that I can't seem to find answers for:

1. Amount of beads to use?
I have a desktop 20-25 cigar humidor. Nothing fancy...how much bead-age should be used? I bought a half pound (8oz) bag, and currently I have 1oz of beads in there. Is this too much? Too little?

2. Amount of water?
It says to spritz till 70% are covered....how exact is that? If I'm off a little one way or the other, will I kill my smokes?

Thanx,
Louie

Sorry for the slow answer.

1. One ounce is more than enough. The good thing about beads is you can't put too much in a humidor. The extra beads will just give you more moisture storage and they will last longer before you need to add distilled water to them.

2. 70% is just a rule of thumb. If you wet them down more or less they will work just as well. The idea is to have some beads still white so they can absorb the extra moisture that mey be introduced into the humidor, like some new cigars that are a little wet.

David

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"The Bead Guy"
www.heartfeltindustries.com

I just have a couple questions about humidor beads. I have heard nothing but great things about them, however, i was wondering if there is a significant difference in a 65% - a 70% humidity level. Does my geographicically location matter or is it just personal preference? The OP says 65 for cubans and 70 for non. is this true? if i were to store both which level should i buy?

I was also wondering how accurate the beads really are. Would i need a hygrometer still if i kept the beads moist? I have heard they keep great accurancy and need very little maintanence and i wondering if i would save on buying a hygrometer if its guarenteed to hold a 70% humidity level. I mean as long as i keep them moist it shouldn't be a problem right?

Im brand new at this so sorry for any ignorance. I really appreciate any knowledge past onto me.