I want to check if anyone else has heard about using florists foam in the oasis of a humidor? The man that runs the cigar shop at the Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne told me last week that when I get a humidor (which I won an auction for earlier today) I should look at putting florists foam in the water oasis as it's generally superior to most of the foams used in humidors and will keep the humidity level alot longer.
Florists foam in a humidor oasis?
- Thread starter johnmrson
- Start date
Humidity beads would be way better than foam John. You'll have to get them from the States (google: Heartfelt beads). You wet them with distilled water (only EVER use distilled water) and they will keep your humi at a steady humidity. I prefer 70%RH personally but some people say 65%. The important thing is not to let your sticks get overhumidified as that is a sure way to get mould and beetle infestations.
Pete
Pete
Yes, you can use those, but there are two kinds and you better be sure to use the one that absorbes water. The guy who owns Heartfields ind is a good BOTL (brother of the leave) and has better solutions, like johnmrson says. You have to check the oasis and Rh in your humidor more often, since it has no limitation on how much humidity it produces. Be sure to break in the humidor before use, otherwise the ceder will absore humidity from the cigars 
.
Good luck!!
. Good luck!!
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks for the info. I thought 70% would be good as well. I've sent the seller of Heartfelt beads a query regarding postage so hopefully I'll have some on their way to me in the very near future.
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
I would go with the 65% beads instead of the 70%. I have a pound of beads split between my humidor and a cooler and have never had any burn issues. 70% is to high unless you want to dry box cigars before smoking them.
I've always used the foam and had great results with it. You have to make sure to get the "wet" foam though. For that matter I make my own humidifying solution too. 50% propylene glycol and 50% distilled water = perfect 70% humidity.
So for about $12 you can get enough supplies to keep your cigars humidified for years and it's the same damn stuff retailers use in their products.
So for about $12 you can get enough supplies to keep your cigars humidified for years and it's the same damn stuff retailers use in their products.
Problem with using PG is that the water will evaporate but the PG does not. so at some point you will end up with a PG saturated foam... it is generaly best to stick with Distilled water.
I run Heartfelt beads in all my humidors, I like how they maintain the RH. Personally I do not trust the foam, have heard way too many stories of mold issues when using foam.
I do not frequent the cigar boards but it seems that PG has fallen out of favor.
I have been using it since the 80's with no problems and perfect results.
I have changed the foam a few times over the last 2 decades but just because the piece I bought was hanging around, not for any other reason.
If you have PG in your foam just add water.
I would love to hear the current views on this.
^ Really?
Had no clue the PG route was on the way out. For that matter didn't know the water would evaporate from it and leave only the PG, though it makes sense. I'm more of the "if it isn't broke" type so I'll just hold out until I have to.
I've personally had no problems with it though I do check humidity quite often. Then again I just started a new humidor and have been using a saucer of distilled water to season it and that's worked well also.
Had no clue the PG route was on the way out. For that matter didn't know the water would evaporate from it and leave only the PG, though it makes sense. I'm more of the "if it isn't broke" type so I'll just hold out until I have to.
I've personally had no problems with it though I do check humidity quite often. Then again I just started a new humidor and have been using a saucer of distilled water to season it and that's worked well also.
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
I have never heard that about the PG solution. The one issue with PG solution is that it only releases humidity. The Silica beads will release moisture when the humidity is below their set point, and absorb it with it is above what they are set for. I've been using the same pound of beads for the last 5 years and have never had any issues with them. In fact i don't even own a hydrometer. I mist the beads in my humidor about once a month and the ones in the cooler every couple of months. IMO they are the simplest humidity solution you can use.
Jim, I still do the same. A lifetime of of foam for you and several friends is a few dollars, and I buy PG from a pharmacy which is about 7-8 bucks a quart IIRC. I bought it about 4-5 years ago. I mix it 50/50 with distilled and hold steady at the 65% mark.
Personally I think 70% is too moist but it is considered the standard for Cubans and too much for others.
I had that problem recently, My humidifier would appear wet but the humidity was dropping in my humidor. It was an easy fix though. I just floated the humidifier in a container of distilled water with the grate facing down. PG has a higher density than water and will 'fall' to the bottom of the container after a few changes of water the PG was removed and my humidor has maintained a proper humidity.
Been using the foam for 8 years now, works great!
I picked up some 70% beads on the bay for 8 dollars shipped per pound, the bay listing states they ship to the states and Canada.
Although the beads are a lot more reliable and require a lot less effort on your part, the foam is the standard issue humidifier for cigar humidors. You'll be fine with foam as long as you keep your eye on the humidity (use an electronic hygrometer, don't trust the analog one that comes with your humidor) but make sure not to check it too often as every time you open that thing humidity releases. Let the humidor rest and season.
A good method is using a small spray bottle filled with distilled water to refill the foam rather than soaking it in water.
A good method is using a small spray bottle filled with distilled water to refill the foam rather than soaking it in water.
I use florist foam in mine all the time with distilled H2O
- Thread starter
- #18
I looked at the hearfelt beads but the seller hasn't bothered to respond to a couple of questions I sent and I'm not going to pay US$30 postage for a tube of them to Australia so I think that I'll get myself a brick or two of florists foam and see how I go with that. I'll also get a digital hygrometer so I can check the accuracy of the analogue unit built into the humidor.
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
David at Heartfelt is a stand up guy I'm sure he will get back to you. You can also buy the same beads from Mark at cigarmony.com
I'd definitely go the bead route, either from Heartfelt or Cigarmony. I've used 65% beads for the past couple of years and had no problems whatsoever. They do fluctuate a degree or two but they're spot on. My digital hygrometer's battery died 5 months ago and I still haven't replaced it because I know the beads are working fine. I just do a squeeze test before I light a cigar up and I know it's good to go
