Warning from a dude about heartfelt beads?

[Senor Perfecto]

Background:

I am about to purchase my first wineador (yay me? woe is me?) because my place gets way too hot in the summer months & I want to avoid running the A/C when I'm out of the house.

Looking at the Newair 281E. Will eventually add some cedar drawers and shelves from either Chas or Forrest. For now, I just need some cedar and a good wipe down.

Last night I spoke to a guy with an Edgestar wineador who says he switched from Heartfelt to a Xikar gel system because his beads were getting yellow and imparting an unpleasant odor to his cigars, kind of sweet and dank. He now swears by the Xikar jars and solution.

I have read on forums about the beads yellowing, and the odor. Does that just happen, or is there something those people are doing wrong?

Also, is the Xikar system comparably priced over time to maintain it?

And what's all this I hear about kitty litter?

I'm just a poor Brother with a 90ct desktop and Boveda packs, looking to put on my big boy pants. Help?

Paulo

 

[mwlabel]

I've had HF beads for ~4 years and the only bits that changed colors were the beads that broken bits of tobacco fell into. Most look brand new.

I know bad things happen when you don't use distilled water... but that's operator error.

 

[Angry Bill]

I've had HF beads for ~4 years and the only bits that changed colors were the beads that broken bits of tobacco fell into. Most look brand new.

I know bad things happen when you don't use distilled water... but that's operator error.

That is great advice. I've been using HF beads only for the past 6 years. Never had any problems and I only use distiller water. Tap water I stills impurities into the beads, which are trapped. So use only distiller water.

But it all comes down to personal choices. Some like HF beads, other like other types of beads, some like kitty litter, some like the gel. In the end, it's your cigars, your choices.

 

[SurpriseMVP]

agree, been using HF beads for 4 or more years. Yes they turn yellow over time, no they dont smell at all. I'm in AZ and it's hot. Spray the beads with distiller water 2-3 time a year. never a single issue. I'll let others chime in with the gel stuff, but I can tell you from personal experience and the knowledge on this board that I wouldn't use it.


Mike

 

[CWS]

Been using beads and kitty litter for too many years. The oils and dust will eventually turn them light brown. Never noticed any real oder or harm.

 

[Hoshneer]

I had to switch because my beads turned after a couple years; they had a sweet sour smell. I switched to KL and never looked back. So yes keep an eye on them and make sure you only use distilled water. Also make sure you spray them and don't dunk them in water to refill. I am sure you will be fine.

 

[Craig Mac]

The debate between HF/HCM & Kitty Litter lives strong here, but as mentioned you must use distilled water.

As far as the Xikar gel, while it is a reliable product over time the gel will dissipate and you will have to replace it after a year or so. It is a cheaper immediate solution but not over time.

 

[Senor Perfecto]

Wow that is some major BOTL firepower assembled to answer my newb questions. Muchos gracias fellas! It's sounding like either beads or KL, and a sprayer of distilled agua for me.

Now if I can get my hands on a box of those new HE lances, I'll happily christen the Newair in my long downward spiral toward way-too-many-cigars-dom.

 

[stin187]

I've used heartfelt beads for about a year and love them. The only time I notice they get yellow is when the wineador sits unopened for a few months with some young cc in it. They get an amonia smell to them but I just take them out for a day and they are fine. With the beads I can leave my stash undisturbed for months (I travel a lot and always have a 50 count travel humi with me ) and it's safe and happy at 65/65. I'm building wineador number two and will be going with beads again.

 

[smokinghole]

Ive been using them since 2007. Not an issue, but mine did turn a bit yellow over the years. My coolidor has has a sweet aged tobacco smell, but not my normal humi.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I too use HF. No issues, very consistent. Distilled only. I travel for work too and have no worries when gone