Beads

[BkCloud114]

Don't pour water directly over the beads, instead, wet the sponge with water, but the sponge and beads in a ziploc back. If you have a meter, throw it in there with it. If you add water to the beads directly, some will pop.

Emo

[snapback]166339[/snapback]​

OK I have a question:
I also bought 65% beads from Vern and followed the directions he sent about pouring water on the beads, and YES some did pop. It sounded like Rice Krispies "popping". Is this bad ? Are the beads now ruined because they look like little pieces of broken glass?

What color should the beads be ? Some are clear and some are white and I am still having trouble with my humidity in the Igloodor.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[emodx]

I don't know if popped beads are broken. Clear and milky are the only colors mine are. About the coolerdor, is it full, empty, halfway? Have you been adding cigars lately? How often do you open it? What is the size? How much beads are in there? What are the beads in?

Emo

 

[BkCloud114]

Wow.... alot of questions...

About the coolerdor, is it full, empty, halfway?

Not as full as I would like.... probably about less than half

Have you been adding cigars lately?

No

How often do you open it?

Too often, I like to watch :love:
I've been trying to control myself

What is the size?

It is a 54 Qt cooler

How much beads are in there?

I bought 1/2 pound and put in half of that

What are the beads in?

The beads are in a small plastic container (Tupperware)

 

[emodx]

Is the container uncovered or w/ a top punched with holes? A 54 quart is fairly small and the beads should do you fine. I keep my beads in a pantyhose knee high tied off. It allows for maximum surface and easy circulation. My guess is the beads cant keep up with th excess unused space. Put a couple of closed tupper ware containers in there to decrease the excess volume. By reducing the excess volume, your beads can regulate the RH faster. And quit watching the cigars, they aren't going anywhere. Just keep your on deck cigars seperate.

Emo

 

[Randyb1]

Don't pour water directly over the beads, instead, wet the sponge with water, but the sponge and beads in a ziploc back. If you have a meter, throw it in there with it. If you add water to the beads directly, some will pop.

Emo

[snapback]166339[/snapback]​

OK I have a question:
I also bought 65% beads from Vern and followed the directions he sent about pouring water on the beads, and YES some did pop. It sounded like Rice Krispies "popping". Is this bad ? Are the beads now ruined because they look like little pieces of broken glass?

What color should the beads be ? Some are clear and some are white and I am still having trouble with my humidity in the Igloodor.

Thanks for the help guys

[snapback]166351[/snapback]​

According to Vern , having the beads pop does not affect the beads absorbing and releasing moisture, if the beads were like powder they would still work.

so you shouldn't worry

Randy

 

[PSTAN]

After I finally got my "Cube" coolidor setup with the beads I often will add an antibacterial sponge moistened with distilled water in the coolidor to get the beads leveled back out. This has happend on more than one occasion because while I am looking to see what smoke I want the kids usually come around and I end up going off and playing with them.

 

[gr8full2day]

I bought a pound of the 70% beads and am struggling to keep humidity above 62%, some swear by this number but is a little dry for me...I have added beads and just wonder if I was too conservative in activating them.. :blush: ...About ready to try something else..Any suggestions?

 

[Seizure]

The Beads should be UNCOVERED in the tupperware.

Also how long have they been in there. It takes a week or 2 for the humidity to stabilize and such. So if you've only had them in for a few days, you have to relax and let the cigars and boxes soak up the moisture and such.

 

[Wascal]

I have 1lb in each of my 120 coolerdors and they do a great job. Things to consider, Volume of unused space(1/2 full, 3/4 full), as the air changes when you open the lid to get a stick. The more air you exchange, the longer it takes to equalize. The accuracy of your hydrometer, do a salt test. Check to see if you have a good seal on the lid. One of those 12 volt air compressors should work. Plug into the drain plug and feel for leaks at the lid.

I use a Otter Box for my everyday smokes, load it up once a week. A small humi from Cbid would work too. I've bought several of the Burl 20 stick ones and they are a nice box. This keeps me from opening the coolerdor everyday.

A tip from someone else has worked great for me when adding moisture, soak a piece for cedar in water for a couple hours and toss in the humi. The beads will pull the excess moisture and release it later as needed.

 

[emodx]

I have 1lb in each of my 120 coolerdors and they do a great job. Things to consider, Volume of unused space(1/2 full, 3/4 full), as the air changes when you open the lid to get a stick. The more air you exchange, the longer it takes to equalize. The accuracy of your hydrometer, do a salt test. Check to see if you have a good seal on the lid. One of those 12 volt air compressors should work. Plug into the drain plug and feel for leaks at the lid.

I use a Otter Box for my everyday smokes, load it up once a week. A small humi from Cbid would work too. I've bought several of the Burl 20 stick ones and they are a nice box. This keeps me from opening the coolerdor everyday.

A tip from someone else has worked great for me when adding moisture, soak a piece for cedar in water for a couple hours and toss in the humi. The beads will pull the excess moisture and release it later as needed.

[snapback]166971[/snapback]​

All excellent advice! The only thig I would add, in case you aren't mechanically inclined is this; If you are going the pressurized route, get a squirt bottle of water and squirt the seal. If you do have a leak, you'll see it disturb the water.

Emo

 

[jacknife]

I added water directly to my beads once and they sure did pop! Now I take a cap from a 20 oz soda bottle and set it on top of the beads then fill it with water. Within a few days the water gets absorbed and no more poping. My cooler has been at 60 degrees and 61% and everything smokes great out of there.

 

[viper139]

As far as quantity of beads 1/3 of a pound per 50 quarts is good. They are correct the beads will work just as well if the crack a little. The best way to add moisture to beads is to use a spray bottle you can get at a grocery store. Just spray the beads, the distilled water hits the beads in a small enough quantity that the beads absorb the water without cracking. The main thing, as others have said, is have patience.

 

[mhortsch]

I poured water over mine, some definently popped. But I was informed that the popping doesnt matter. The remnants are still the same material, and still release/regain mosture at the same rate, so it really doesnt matter.

And Ive poured water over them since, some still pop. But my RH hasnt moved!