Credo or Beads in a new Humidor?

[prophetnoir]

I am awaiting the delivery of my first humidor. I am a relatively new cigar smoker and have just a handful of sticks currently residing in a well sealed cigar box with a Boveda Pack. Since I am also expecting an additional delivery of a sampler pack of 25 + 2 cigars to arrive soon, I went ahead and completed my research on which humidor would best suit my immediate and near future needs. Please bear in mind that I have some very severe space limitations so, while I understand the fervor for Coolerdors and Vinos, I simply do not have the resources or the room for such. Also, and laugh if you must, I do not see myself beginning a large collection of sticks at this time. I know I know, you have all heard it said before.
Anyway, I have decided on a Daniel Marshall Ambiente in 125 count capacity. I got a good deal on one of their stock sale items, which apparently has a blemish or something in the surface finish and is offered at a 50% discount off MSRP. I upgraded to a digital hydrometer for a small additional fee and I think I got a good deal. I will be happy to post some pics when it arrives.
In anticipation of the delivery I have also ordered the Boveda Calibration Kit for the Hydrometer and the Boveda seasoning packs for the Humidor.
As for the humidifier, Daniel Marshall sends along a rectangular Credo with the florists foam and some solution to get it started, I have the distilled water handy at home. What I was thinking of doing though, was to remove the foam and replace it with Heartfelt Beads. I have heard nothing but good things about them on this forum so I figured I might as well put them in at the onset.
Recently I was out herfing with a few good friends that have a lot more experience than I do and I brought them up to date on my progress with the same information I just spelled out here. When it got to the humidifier part, one of my friends opined that it would not be necessary to make the change from foam to beads right away and went further to say that he thought that beads might actually be detrimental to the cigars. His opinion was that beads would actually draw some of the cigar oils from the sticks as they regulate the overall humidity. He also felt that adding the PG solution was unnecessary and only distilled water was needed to keep the foam in the Credo doing an optimal job.
So, what is the opinion here? Can beads actually draw oils from the cigars themselves to a degree that the quality or flavor of the sticks is affected negatively? I have a feeling that this is probably a matter of taste and preference and sensitivity and such. I thought it had the makings for a friendly debate among BOTL.

Thanks for taking the time to read it through.

Mason

 

[BlindedByScience]

......His opinion was that beads would actually draw some of the cigar oils from the sticks as they regulate the overall humidity. He also felt that adding the PG solution was unnecessary and only distilled water was needed to keep the foam in the Credo doing an optimal job.

His opinion isn't based on fact, and is quite wrong. Unless you get it hot enough in the humidor to start vaporizing the oils in the cigars, the beads won't soak up anything other than excess moisture.

Beads are the brain dead, low maintenance, painless path to regular humidity. They won't affect the taste of the cigars in the least, unless you are dead set on eating a handful before you smoke.

You might search a few thread and do some reading but the long and short of it is that they are the way to go. And, all it takes to maintain the beads is some distilled water. Tough to beat.

 

[DirtyDave]

Personally I love the beads. I've put them to use in all my humidors (2 desktop and one coolidor) and they are working great. I've never heard of them pulling the oils out of the cigars. They keep the humidity in the ideal range, so I cannot see that being an issue. I'm sure some more experienced members can answer your question better but I have not had any issues with mine.

 

[prophetnoir]

You might search a few thread and do some reading but the long and short of it is that they are the way to go. And, all it takes to maintain the beads is some distilled water. Tough to beat.

I made a bet with myself as to how long it would take for this advice to come into a reply.
You may have to take my word for it, but I did do a lot of searching and reading before I worded my question for presentation to the members here. I didn't find anything that specifically weighed the pros and cons of these methods of humidification with regard to the possible effects on cigars in the humidor. Perhaps I didn't enter the perfect combination of terms to get the results I was looking for, but I thought I had learned enough from previous posts to avoid being told that "search is your friend". I appreciate the response though.

 

[tone-ny]

You might search a few thread and do some reading but the long and short of it is that they are the way to go. And, all it takes to maintain the beads is some distilled water. Tough to beat.

I made a bet with myself as to how long it would take for this advice to come into a reply.
You may have to take my word for it, but I did do a lot of searching and reading before I worded my question for presentation to the members here. I didn't find anything that specifically weighed the pros and cons of these methods of humidification with regard to the possible effects on cigars in the humidor. Perhaps I didn't enter the perfect combination of terms to get the results I was looking for, but I thought I had learned enough from previous posts to avoid being told that "search is your friend". I appreciate the response though.

He gave you an answer to your question and told you there was a ton of information to glean.

Step away from the keyboard!

Do yourself a favor and look up Bill Clinton so you can realy get some good advice!

 

[Rural Guy]

They won't affect the taste of the cigars in the least, unless you are dead set on eating a handful before you smoke.

I just took out some 70% beads to put in a cooler for longer term storage and replaced it with 65% beads in my humi...the 70% ones at least smelt like a cigar...I'd bet eating them first wouldn't change the taste as much as you think! :laugh:

 

[prophetnoir]

Perhaps the smiley emoticon wasn't enough to indicate that I was noting the advice in good humor. I did expect that I would be advised, as a newbie, to use the search function. I did not intend in any way, shape or form to appear antagonistic towards BlindedByScience for his suggestion as I have read the same advice in dozens of threads to and from dozens of members. If BlindedByScience was offended in even a small way by my words or the perceived tone of what I wrote, then to him I offer my sincere apology for the misunderstanding and my poor choice of words.

 

[BlindedByScience]

My suggestion to search was to enlighten you to the fact that beads have been discussed, as nauseum, on these forums.

I gave you a quick answer to a simple question. My suggestion to search was to point out that you can find technical discussions in whatever depth you'd like, if you'd only look. I can recall discussions on the chemical composition of beads, how they are used in document protection, how to condition them. In short, everything you'd every want to know.

If you did "a lot of searching" and didn't find an answer to your question, you're a lousy searcher.

And, if you don't like the advice you are getting, that little red "X" in the upper right hand corner will comfort you and the rest of us at the same time.

B.B.S.