Heartfelt Beads

[AndrewWiggin]

Question about some Heartfelt Beads. I bought a humidifier with 65% rh beads from Heartfelt after seeing them recommended here.

How do I prime the humidifier? I'm not sure what exactly it means by 80-90% clear and don't want to just soak my humidor.

Thanks.

 

[boboakalfb]

I've never used them to prime a humidor, just maintained them after the fact.

 

[ProphetNoir]

I just got those same beads for a new humidor. I had to wait while my humidor got seasoned before putting the beads in. I added a little more distilled water than I should have for the recommended 70% clear/30% opaque ratio. Be careful and go for 50/50. There is no way that I can think of that overfilled beads could harm a humidor unless they were dripping wet. They soak up a small amount of water very quickly so add it by the drop.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

So I'm assuming that once I start filling the humidor I'll know what 50/50 is? I bought their new square humidifier and can't really see the beads as well as I think I ought to be able.

 

[Mazeman]

I'd also get a digital hygrometer, just to double check yourself.

I use the beads. I probably have too many for the size of my humidor. I know this "shouldn't" happen, but somehow I was over-hydrating them, and it was affecting the humidity (>80% ). I've been adding water less frequently now (waiting for the hygrometer to drop), and things have stabilized.

Also, if you throw a bunch of new cigars in the humidor, they can actually bump up the humidity for a while. A lot of cigars are sold kind of "wet", especially online.

To season your humidor I'd just take a sponge and wipe the inside wood with a THIN film of distilled water a couple times in a 24 hour period, then let it sit another 24h before adding cigars.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

I've already seasoned the humidor, it's been sitting for about a week at 70%. I replaced my humidifier with the Heartfelt beads and it's at 63% now, I'm thinking they weren't wet when I got them, though the packaging claimed they were.

I have a Xikar digital hygrometer, so I'm set. My biggest problem is still keeping my humidor below 70 degrees, can't seem to do it, so I'm dropping the humidity to keep bugs away.

I didn't want to throw cigars into the humidor until I was convinced I had done everything I could to make a good environment, so I have about 10 cigars waiting (bag with a water pillow at 70%), with another 40 on the way.

 

[BEAR DEN]

I preface this by saying I am FAR from a cigar expert...I simply enjoy them and the size of my humidor reflects that...What I did is wipe down the inside of humidor with distilled water and immediately put the hygrometer to make sure it accurate. (should hit 100 percent I've been told) If it doesn't then you know how to read it. Let sit for 24 hours then add beads with distilled water. Here is what I do, which may be against cigar law...If it is too humid I will crack the himidor until it's where I want it...with the beads I have yet to expierence the humidor being to dry. As the beads loose water I add a little back until they need replaced. What can I say simple man simple humidor...however the people who taught me this this simple method take their knowledge of cigars very seriously...all have walk in humidors. Maybe they knew that would fly right over my head, so they steered me this way. I'm sure someone here will correct me and give better advice..but this works pretty well or me!

 

[cricky101]

Just be sure to allow plenty of time for the humidity to stabilize before adding more water to the beads or leaving the lid open, etc ... It can be a slow process for everything to acclimate and the waiting can be the toughest part.

And at 63% your cigars will be just fine. I prefer to keep my cigars at 60 to 65 %RH.

I've already seasoned the humidor, it's been sitting for about a week at 70%. I replaced my humidifier with the Heartfelt beads and it's at 63% now, I'm thinking they weren't wet when I got them, though the packaging claimed they were.

I have a Xikar digital hygrometer, so I'm set. My biggest problem is still keeping my humidor below 70 degrees, can't seem to do it, so I'm dropping the humidity to keep bugs away.

I didn't want to throw cigars into the humidor until I was convinced I had done everything I could to make a good environment, so I have about 10 cigars waiting (bag with a water pillow at 70%), with another 40 on the way.

 

[Macion grey]

OK. I am cigar mad, so I will tell you of the easiest way to set up your new humidor.

To season: Boveda Seasoning Pouch. Easiest way.

Heartfelt beads are absolutely my favourite way to maintain a desktop humidor. I have found that the time between rehydration of your heartfelt beads is dependant on your humidor's seal, as well as room RH. Differing seasonals bring different amounts of rest between recharge.

Keep in mind, the beads will still be effective when all but 20% of the beads are white. So don't stress overmuch. A clear, larger bead is a charged bead. A small, white bead has been dehydrated. You will develop a charging technique that suits you best over time, but stick to the recommended method first up.

Take care not to leave pools of water in your bead vessel, as this may cause mould to both the beads themselves, and your cigars.