Polymer crystal humidifier

[jmartins]

Good Day All,

I have a question regarding my humidifcation system. I bought my humidor from Cigarstar.ca. It is a Canadian company.
The humidor I purchased is Showcase II Bubinga Cigar Star Humidor Glass Top.

I have the original sponge humidifier inside that comes with it but I also got the Polymer Crystals that you add water to and it releases humidity as needed.

I have questions regarding this:

1) Are the polymer crystals any good? Do they work better then the sponge humidifier?

2) Should I keep both systems in the humidor or should I just leave one in there.

Currently I have roughly 70 cigars inside. My analog hydrometer reads roughly 68% RH. but my digital hydrometer reads 57% RH at 19 C.

I just want to get it up to a good balance where I dont have to worry as much.

Thanks,
JM

 

[mdwest]

dont trust your analog hygro.. they are notoriously inaccurate...

I also wouldnt fully trust the digital (although it is likely closer) unless you have calibrated it and know its reading correctly..

FWIW, my recommendation would be to get rid of the florist foam/sponge all together.. far more hassle than they are worth..

From what I can tell, the polymer crystals that cigarstar sells are the same thing that Xikar sells in its gel jar... standard 70% poly gel crystals..

[video=youtube_share;uTh2lH3f7Zc]http://youtu.be/uTh2lH3f7Zc[/video]

If so, thats not a bad option.. but for me.. 70% is a bit too wet.. I also find that its pretty easy to over humidify the poly gel stuff when you refresh it with distilled water.. and you end up with RH over 70 for a while until it dries out a little bit..

If you need to go the inexpensive route, my recommendation would be to pick up a boveda or two (about $3 each), and some kitty litter (the silica kind.. not clay...).. you can get an 8lb jug for about $10.. you will literally have enough to cover your needs for the next decade or two..

If you dont mind dropping a little bit more money to protect your stash.. consider beads... (along with a boveda or two).. you wont need a lot for a desktop humi....

IMO, the small amount of money you invest in humidity on the front end, saves you a TON of time, worry, and potentially money on the back end...

stable RH and stable temps are the key to stogie happiness..

 

[jmartins]

What is the kitty litter for. I am slightly confused there lol. I humidity tested my digital hydrometer and it read a perfect 70% RH for a day and a half.

Just a little explanation or pictures so I can get a real understanding. I want some happy cigars so that's why I am inquiring.

I just want to know how long things last and what I need. This way I can help future generations with their direction and Cigars.

Thanks

 

[mdwest]

do a google search on "kitty litter cigar".. tons of threads on different boards (to include this one), as well as you tube videos, etc.. lots of info out there on it...

without trying to start any controversy here.. in a nutshell, it is used just like beads are.. silica will absorb DW and will release it as well.. its a low cost solution that some people prefer to beads.. you just have to make sure you get the right kind.. and then take a couple of days to get the RH set... and youre done.. when combined with a couple of boveda packs, it creates a very stable, long term humidity solution that requires very little maintenance or worry..

 

[jmartins]

I did do a google search that is kind of weird it really is... but it makes sense I think I am going to dry and get some beeds first and try that out before I move over and try kitty litter.
Hopefully that will correct the issue I am having. As for my sponge humidifier everyone seems pretty contra the sponge even though it has been pretty good to me for 3 years now without issue.
After I moved it never seemed to come back which is fine I can move forward now lol.

 

[GoingPostal]

ask 10 people what the best humidification set up is and you'll get 10 different answers. everyone has thier own preferance on what works. As to your original question i'd dump the foam too hard to keep consistent RH with those things. Gel works fine I've used it in the past and RH will hold betweeen 68% and 72% depending on how often you go into that humidor.

 

[jmartins]

I'm one of those people that goes into my humidor on a fairly regular basis probably around 2-3 times a week but when it warms up out I can be in it everyday getting a cigar.
I generally know what I'm going in there to get so that isn't an issue of leaving it open for to long.

I think I am going to go out and buy some heartfelt beads and give that a try. Hopefully I will have success with it. As for my digital hygrometer I tested it twice now on 2 different occasions with salt water in a container and both times she read at a perfect 70. I am confident in that.

 

[GoingPostal]

I'm one of those people that goes into my humidor on a fairly regular basis probably around 2-3 times a week but when it warms up out I can be in it everyday getting a cigar.
I generally know what I'm going in there to get so that isn't an issue of leaving it open for to long.

I think I am going to go out and buy some heartfelt beads and give that a try. Hopefully I will have success with it. As for my digital hygrometer I tested it twice now on 2 different occasions with salt water in a container and both times she read at a perfect 70. I am confident in that.

unless you live in a very dry climate a quick opening daily shouldn't be a problem. With that style of humidor gel and boveda work well together. If you go with beads DO NOT use them with the gel as the beads will become "Plugged"

 

[jmartins]

Sounds good...I will get myself some heartfelt beads. Right now I have the polymer crystals in there right now.

I will only use the beads thats for sure. I am not a fan of the gel. I have used it before and I find that it leaves a taste on the cigars.

I know people say that doesn't happen and it is natural but I find there is some taste left over from it but it could be just me.

 

[Rupe]

I'm one of those people that goes into my humidor on a fairly regular basis probably around 2-3 times a week but when it warms up out I can be in it everyday getting a cigar.
I generally know what I'm going in there to get so that isn't an issue of leaving it open for to long.

I think I am going to go out and buy some heartfelt beads and give that a try. Hopefully I will have success with it. As for my digital hygrometer I tested it twice now on 2 different occasions with salt water in a container and both times she read at a perfect 70. I am confident in that.

Just letting you know that if you are calibrating with the salt test it is supposed to take your humidity to 75% (not 70%). This is the reason that Xikar digital hygrometers reset to 75%. Boveda calibration packs are also at 75%

In other words if your hygrometer is reading 70% you are off by 5%

 

[jmartins]

Oh really I have heard from several different sources that it should be at 70% that just changed everything for me.

 

[Rupe]

Here's a couple of links for you....


http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/cig101_12st.asp

https://www.cigarextras.com/event/page/pageCode/hygrometercalibration

http://cigaradvisor.blogspot.com/2008/09/another-look-at-salt-test-for.html


75% is the magic number :wink:

 

[jmartins]

That is a good update. I really appreciate it. I didn't realize I was off. i guess some of the other forms are off.

Well with that I guesss I will have to buy a new hygrometer also so I can have something alot more accurate.

I am debating though I have been looking online and I dont know if I want to go with Heartfelt Beads or to go with the Boveda Packs.

 

[jmartins]

As it stands right now I am sitting at a perfect 65 RH. I am hoping that it will stick that way so I have no issues.

 

[jmartins]

This weekend I purchased Boveda 69RH packs and loaded up the Humi. Everything should start coming around.