Just got new Humidor, advice about crystals.

[ChimpsInTies]

I just got a nice little 50 stick humidor for my birthday.

I've just been seasoning it a bit by brushing it with water inside before I put my cigars in it.

I don't really understand the instructions that came with it about the balls in a little packet. It's got both the plastic humidifier box in it and a bog of these little balls. I think I'm supposed to open up the humidifier and but them in then wet it all? But I'm not sure. So far I've just wiped the insides, left it for a couple of days, then wet the humidifier then stuck my sticks in it. It's sitting nicely at ~70%

Any advice?

[James811]

If its at 70% and your hygrometer is caliberated I'd say leave it for a day and check back to see if its still ok, if so you're ready to add your smokes. Leave well enough alone to be honest

[James811]

Sorry I'm not of great help, any other questions just ask and someone will be able to advise you

[Bigboned]

Sounds like you have a pack of humi beads, in the humidifier unit is there a hard green sponge ( like a plant pot oasis) if so the beads are a more advanced version.
Ditch the sponge and put the beads in the little pot in its place, add a bit of distilled water ( until half the beads turn clear) then hey presto pop into the humi and monitor the RH.
If you get this far post back and we can go to the explanation stage etc, anyone disagree??

[James811]

Sounds spot on to me, although my beads fall out of my little oasis holder as it has slits in it, don't try to beat physics, they will fall through lol

[omegar]

Sounds like you have a pack of humi beads, in the humidifier unit is there a hard green sponge ( like a plant pot oasis) if so the beads are a more advanced version.
Ditch the sponge and put the beads in the little pot in its place, add a bit of distilled water ( until half the beads turn clear) then hey presto pop into the humi and monitor the RH.
If you get this far post back and we can go to the explanation stage etc, anyone disagree??

Agreed.... but a teaspoon full of distilled water at a time (and NOT the special mixture fluid that comes with the oasis type humidifiers, because that is bad for beads).

Hint: you can get enough distilled water by boiling water in a saucepan.
Bring it to the boil with the lid on.
Take the lid off and dunk it under the cold tap and dry it quickly
Put the lid back on the boiling pan for a couple of seconds
Take it off gently and pour out the distilled water that has condensed in the lid into a small bowl
Repeat a few times and you have several teaspoons full (teaspoonsful actually )

One teaspoon of distilled water onto half of the crystals. They will go clear
Repeat as necessary, but LEAVE half of them white.

The idea is that the clear crystals will give off moisture, until it reaches 70% and then the white ones will absob moisture when it goes over 70%. It is self balancing automatically. They are designed to work at 70%

Oh yes... treat yourself to a couple of these digital hygrometers from Ebay
They are dead accurate, take up a tiny amount of space in your humidor, and they are cheap! (The identical same things cost a LOT more from the cigar stores). You will have them delivered next day.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320800006211

Rod

[peanutpete]

Agreed.... but a teaspoon full of distilled water at a time (and NOT the special mixture fluid that comes with the oasis type humidifiers, because that is bad for beads).

Hint: you can get enough distilled water by boiling water in a saucepan.
Bring it to the boil with the lid on.
Take the lid off and dunk it under the cold tap and dry it quickly
Put the lid back on the boiling pan for a couple of seconds
Take it off gently and pour out the distilled water that has condensed in the lid into a small bowl
Repeat a few times and you have several teaspoons full (teaspoonsful actually )

One teaspoon of distilled water onto half of the crystals. They will go clear
Repeat as necessary, but LEAVE half of them white.

The idea is that the clear crystals will give off moisture, until it reaches 70% and then the white ones will absob moisture when it goes over 70%. It is self balancing automatically. They are designed to work at 70%

Oh yes... treat yourself to a couple of these digital hygrometers from Ebay
They are dead accurate, take up a tiny amount of space in your humidor, and they are cheap! (The identical same things cost a LOT more from the cigar stores). You will have them delivered next day.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320800006211

Rod

or you could just buy some from the chemist or ebay

[Gman]

Love it.... great tips

Hint: you can get enough distilled water by boiling water in a saucepan.
Bring it to the boil with the lid on.
Take the lid off and dunk it under the cold tap and dry it quickly
Put the lid back on the boiling pan for a couple of seconds
Take it off gently and pour out the distilled water that has condensed in the lid into a small bowl
Repeat a few times and you have several teaspoons full (teaspoonsful actually )

One teaspoon of distilled water onto half of the crystals. They will go clear
Repeat as necessary, but LEAVE half of them white.

The idea is that the clear crystals will give off moisture, until it reaches 70% and then the white ones will absob moisture when it goes over 70%. It is self balancing automatically. They are designed to work at 70%

Oh yes... treat yourself to a couple of these digital hygrometers from Ebay
They are dead accurate, take up a tiny amount of space in your humidor, and they are cheap! (The identical same things cost a LOT more from the cigar stores). You will have them delivered next day.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320800006211

Rod

[tippexx]

Sounds spot on to me, although my beads fall out of my little oasis holder as it has slits in it, don't try to beat physics, they will fall through lol

Easily solved and also works on crystals that may have shrunk. Next time you're in the Supermarket or buying fruit, pick up something which comes in plastic net, oranges for example. Cut the net into a shape and length which when folded over several times fits neatly into the humidifier. Simple, cheap, re-usable and easy to clean and dry. Hope it helps.

[Eddie]

or cut the footoff a pair of tights or stockings.

[James811]

Just remembered my beads came with a net bag haha! Need to find that!

[dalepearomedia]

yeh what eddie said

[Agricola]

I took a plastic container that I got my chinese take away in and cut it leaving the bottom half and about 2 cms of the sides all around then filled it up with beads and put it on one side of the top tray in my humi. Not feasible for a 50ct so I'd got with the tights if you can't find your bag and use some deionised water you can buy from the garage for ?10. I apply it with a little spray bottle that I bought on amozon for a few quid.

[ChimpsInTies]

Loads of great advice here. Sorry it seems like I abandoned the post after initially asking the question. I just got an email now telling me there was a response. Glad I checked in.

Now I understand what the balls are supposed to do and it makes perfect sense. Cheers for that.

I also like the distilled water trick. As you don't need much at a time it makes sense to make it yourself rather than spend ?10 on a 500mL bottle.