Storage question

[Bwtharp]

[quote author=Cohim link=topic=27053.msg117494#msg117494 date=1400551661]
Those humi pouches look pretty easy to work with.
[/quote]

The pouches (Bolveda bags) are the way to go for smaller humidors, travel packs, and coolers that rarely get opened.

Larger boxes give the beads a try...you'll find they are the better solution. The larger boxes would take too many pouches for any reasonable recovery when opened.

B W Tharp

[dubleuhb]

You can buy a 50# bag of 2-4mm silica gel beads shipped to your door for around a benji. I use way more than I probably need but it adds stability.
Stick about 5lbs a time in an airtight container with a container of DW and a hygrometer. When the hygro reaches your desired set point, mine is 63% rh, put them to work. It is a slow process but works very well letting them absorb the moisture gradually. Nylon mesh bags for aquarium filters work great to hold them, some use old stockings.
Depending on what you are using for storage and how well it seals you may need to lightly spritz them. I only have to do mine maybe 2 times in the winter as the house gets very dry in winter.

All those other beads your just paying for the name, your regulating humidity not sending a man to mars.

[Brlesq]

[quote author=dubleuhb link=topic=27053.msg117514#msg117514 date=1400563608]
You can buy a 50# bag of 2-4mm silica gel beads shipped to your door for around a benji. I use way more than I probably need but it adds stability.
Stick about 5lbs a time in an airtight container with a container of DW and a hygrometer. When the hygro reaches your desired set point, mine is 63% rh, put them to work. It is a slow process but works very well letting them absorb the moisture gradually. Nylon mesh bags for aquarium filters work great to hold them, some use old stockings.
Depending on what you are using for storage and how well it seals you may need to lightly spritz them. I only have to do mine maybe 2 times in the winter as the house gets very dry in winter.

All those other beads your just paying for the name, your regulating humidity not sending a man to mars.
[/quote]

Totally agree.  That's why I use Crystal KL.  Same stuff (as log as you get unscented!!)  8lbs for $12 at Petsmart.  Everything has been rock steady for years, even the 1,500 count end table humi. 

[jaelipp]

[quote author=Brlesq link=topic=27053.msg117518#msg117518 date=1400584140]
Totally agree.  That's why I use Crystal KL.  Same stuff (as log as you get unscented!!)  8lbs for $12 at Petsmart.  Everything has been rock steady for years, even the 1,500 count end table humi. 
[/quote]

Bingo! That's all I use and have zero issues.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001HWE6F0?pc_redir=1400242003&robot_redir=1

[Cohim]

[quote author=Brlesq link=topic=27053.msg117518#msg117518 date=1400584140]
Totally agree.  That's why I use Crystal KL.  Same stuff (as log as you get unscented!!)  8lbs for $12 at Petsmart.  Everything has been rock steady for years, even the 1,500 count end table humi. 
[/quote]
So the kitty litter is the best, and cheapest solution? Just add distilled water and let it rock? What type of container do you use for this? I like playing with my cigars. I rearrange them periodically and inspect each one. And I like the cello on;) unless it's off.

[jaelipp]

KL has worked great for me. I pour it into pantyhose, tie a knot and cut off the excess. To keep it separated from my cigars I place it in a coffin and in my cooler I got my hands on a DE Egg box. You only need to lightly spritz the kl with DW. If you over saturate to wind up with a pile if broken crystals and tons of dust (as mentioned above).

Another good tip I was given for larger storage is to take an old cigar box, drill multiple holes in the top and store the beads in the box. I would still put it in pantyhose to control any dust from breakage.

Keep in mind that RH is subjective. Adjust it till the cigars smoke to your liking while avoiding the boundaries of too high/low for obvious reasons. I keep mine around 64-65 RH which works for me.

Good luck. All advice given in this thread is dead on. Lots of good dudes in here with proper info unlike most other boards/communities.

[Cohim]

[quote author=jaelipp link=topic=27053.msg117524#msg117524 date=1400591608]


Good luck. All advice given in this thread is dead on. Lots of good dudes in here with proper info unlike most other boards/communities.
[/quote]

I couldn't agree more! These guys are great! :clap:

[Pole Lock]

I've been skeptical of the Kitty Litter even though I've heard so many positive reports about it.  Do you treat it like the beads - wetting ~75% of it with DIW?  What RH does the Kitty Litter typically produce?

[jaelipp]

[quote author=Pole Lock link=topic=27053.msg117542#msg117542 date=1400601886]
I've been skeptical of the Kitty Litter even though I've heard so many positive reports about it.  Do you treat it like the beads - wetting ~75% of it with DIW?  What RH does the Kitty Litter typically produce?
[/quote]

I simply bagged it, spritzed it and adjusted quantity till I had the right amount to hit the sweet spot I wanted.

It's the same material as the beads sold specifically for this purpose from what I've been informed. I've had zero issues and you can't beat the price as opposed to what's offered

[actzz541]

I want to add one idea that has worked like a charm for me, and I dont believe anyone else has touched on it.  When recharging your beads (and I would assume kl as well) instead of misting/spritzing try setting a small bowl of distilled water in your humidor/wineador and letting the beads/kl absorb the ambient Rh.  Its a slower but, IMO, a better way to recharge them.  I was having some pretty big fluctuations in my wineador Rh after misting until someone else told me about this method.  Just keep the dw in the humi until your hygrometer reads whatever you want it to read and then pull the bowl out.

Again, just an opinion :). Also, I find cc's age exponentially better than nc's and they also store better at a lower Rh (62-65).