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Charging/Recharging Beads
Well I took the plunge and am going to convert to beads for humidification but had a question on charing and recharging the beads.
For those that mist: Do you mist the beads while in the pouches, or transfer them to a larger container that you can mix them around in?
For those that add a distilled H20 source to the humi: Do you always keep the distilled water in the humi, or only add it at a trigger point? If so what trigger (1% lower RH than usual "range" for example)?
I'm asking because I wanted to avoid misting in order to increase bead life. To that end I attempted to do my initial charging of the beads by placing them in a ziploc with an open distilled water source. After almost 1 week very few of the beads had turned clear, so I dumped one of the pouches (1/2lb) into a tupperware and misted them. I would like to avoid having to dump, mist, stir in the future if at all possible and either gently mist the outside or optimally just allow them to absorb from an open distilled water source.
Thanks in advance, any help is appreciated!
For those that mist: Do you mist the beads while in the pouches, or transfer them to a larger container that you can mix them around in?
For those that add a distilled H20 source to the humi: Do you always keep the distilled water in the humi, or only add it at a trigger point? If so what trigger (1% lower RH than usual "range" for example)?
I'm asking because I wanted to avoid misting in order to increase bead life. To that end I attempted to do my initial charging of the beads by placing them in a ziploc with an open distilled water source. After almost 1 week very few of the beads had turned clear, so I dumped one of the pouches (1/2lb) into a tupperware and misted them. I would like to avoid having to dump, mist, stir in the future if at all possible and either gently mist the outside or optimally just allow them to absorb from an open distilled water source.
Thanks in advance, any help is appreciated!
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Comments
I did read in European Cigar Journal that the white of the beads is in fact salt and this is what helps maintain the humidity. If you over soak them the salt washes off.
The beads from Heartfelt, for example, are the kind engineered to be used in museums to keep paintings and other delicate pieces at the proper humidity - to preserve them for the future. Do you honestly believe a museum would have personnel whose function is to go around pouring water on the beads??
The beads work equally well by absorbing moisture out of the air or releasing it into the air, as the situation demands. The easiest way to "recharge" the beads is to simply place a container of water (distilled, if that's what you believe) into the area requiring RH control. If the beads are too dry, they'll absorb moisture. If they're not, they won't. Once you get to a point where the RH stays at a level higher than what the beads were designed for for more than a couple days, remove the container of water. What could be simpler?
It's been well over a year since I've poured water on my beads and I have no problems with my RH. I simply do what I've outlined above.
I know Kuzi disagrees with me on the question of distilled vs. tap water and, to a degree, he's right. Using my method, minerals and other unwanted elements can't get into my beads because only the moisture travels through the air to get to the beads. The unwanted stuff stays behind. That wouldn't happen, though, with tap water being poured directly onto the beads. If you lived in a part of the country where the water quality isn't so good, though, even my method wouldn't be desirable because of bad odors, etc. present in the water.
I once lived in a part of Florida where the water had a strong smell of sulphur. Imagine how good that would make your sticks taste.
So use the water of your choice but save yourself some effort and try my method. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Marty
Kuzi, the apparatus I was going to use for this is a plastic to-go soufle cup (I believe it's ~2oz). Picked up a couple from a cafeteria. Cutting the center of the lid out gives you some splash protection while still allowing vapor to escape and it fits very well in the drawers of my humi (no other dishware I have does).
Just a thought!
Got some Conservagel Beads for my humi and coolers, and have had them in for a week and a half now. The RH in my humi has stayed steady at 69%, but my cooler jumped to 74-75% and has stayed there the whole time. I got the 65% beads so my question is are they overcharged, and I just need to leave them alone to adjust more? I have just taken out the shot glass of distilled water to see if that works. Or is there a chance I have gotten the wrong RH beads?
I know everyone gets tired of these questions, but it is hard to read every thread about beads to find the answer to ones situation. Thanks in advance for any advice....
i always kept my beads under charged to aid with this. the less charged they are the more humidity they can soak up and faster. even then, dont expect a quick fix. once it gets to the correct Rh it will be steady. if you put beads in a humidor that is at 75% and has a shot glass in it, it will be a while before the Rh comes down.
"Long ashes my friends."
When I read this post the first time I thought you said the humi were good at 69% but your cooler made the big jump? If that is the case and nothing has changed the RH of your cooler then I am guessing you have nowhere near enough beads for the size of your cooler. How big is your cooler and how many pounds of beads are you using in it?