Shilala Bead Group Buy

[twenty5]

Like others here, I also want to make the switch from the crystals/pg solution, but I'm still not convinced which is most practical. If there isn't a poll already, maybe I need to make one to see what people are most happy with between HCM/Shilala beads and Heartfelt beads. Can anyone identify the pros and cons of each in one place? I get the impression that they aren't the same.

All the information is out there but a summary from my experiences with both:

HCM:

Pro
-No need to constantly add water
-Maintains humidity almost perfectly (in my area) during all seasons
-Do not obsorb odors (at least not noticeably to me)
-Do not crack and fall apart
-Seem like they will last for years (possibly forever)

Con
-Time consuming to regulate humidity at first
-Hard to understand the exact science behind these (though they do work, magic maybe?)

Heartfelt or Similar:

Pro
-Set up consists of spraying w/ water. Done.
-Easier to understand how they work
-Tube bead holders can be placed right along side cigars
-Tubes dont take up too much room
-Sheets are great for really tight spaces

Con
-Turn yellow
-Fall apart
-Absorb smells
-Leave beads pieces all over the place
-Need to always add water (sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly)
-Have a much shorter lifespan (some lasted 6-9 months)

I am obviously pro Shilala because they work for me. I have 24oz in my cooler w/ an additional 1/2oz per tray for a total of 27oz in my wine cooler and probably another 24oz in my 100qt cooler. (Could be off on the numbers but if I remember right thats close) These were purchased to replace Heartfelt beads that were cracking and falling apart and I can tell you that I am more than happy with my choice. They work for me, in my area but may not work for everyone. Obviously this is JMO.

 

[OB-Left]

Good to know, thanks Justin.

Still looking for a picture of your bead holder in the Wine cooler 101 tread??

 

[twenty5]

Good to know, thanks Justin.

Still looking for a picture of your bead holder in the Wine cooler 101 tread??

Yeah I know I promised that. Work has been taking all my time as of late. Maybe this weekend, sorry for the delay bro.

 

[OB-Left]

Yeah I know I promised that. Work has been taking all my time as of late. Maybe this weekend, sorry for the delay bro.

No worries, I've got at least 3 weeks before my second order of drawers come in, and I really need it. Thanks.

 

[Jwrussell]

Justin, that's a great overview, thanks. The one thing I have to question is your "life span" on the Heartfelt beads. Where are you getting 6-9 months? I've had mine for years and while they are indeed yellow in many cases and have absorbed smells, nothing has given me the impression that they are "dead" or in any other way not doing their jobs. Certainly you do have to deal with cracked beads and bead dust depending on how you are keeping them (bags, tubes, whatever), but it's not like they've just fallen apart and turned to dust.

I'm glad we can have this discussion here and I'm glad we have options. Considering getting some Shilala Beads to try out just so I can compare the two. Plus, even though I've pointed it out as a possible drawback in some cases, I can see the ability to change the set-point of the Shilala's coming in handy in some cases as well.

 

[twenty5]

Justin, that's a great overview, thanks. The one thing I have to question is your "life span" on the Heartfelt beads. Where are you getting 6-9 months? I've had mine for years and while they are indeed yellow in many cases and have absorbed smells, nothing has given me the impression that they are "dead" or in any other way not doing their jobs. Certainly you do have to deal with cracked beads and bead dust depending on how you are keeping them (bags, tubes, whatever), but it's not like they've just fallen apart and turned to dust.

Much shorter life span when compared to what seems like an infinite life span of the HCM beads. I have had beads crack and fall apart after 6-9 months like I said, did they turn to dust and become unusable? Not completely but once something falls apart, it becomes unreliable and almost guaranteed not to be able to perform like the specs say it should. Hence the "life span". I personally do not want to be wiping off those white crumbs all the time. For me, that was reason enough to look into alternative humidification devices.

 

[Jwrussell]

Justin, if it's cleaning up the dust and stuff, I completely understand that, but to say that the beads cracking affects their life span is, as far as I am aware, simply not correct.

From the Heartfelt FAQ:

One good point to remember is humidification beads have an indefinite life span. There is nothing to wear out and all that is needed to maintain them is either the addition of distilled water or the drying out of the beads if they become water logged.

and

ou can just pour distilled water on the beads and pour off the excess. A lot of folks do it this way but the beads can fracture when it is done this way. One thing to remember, fracturing will not affect the efficiency of the beads or ruin them in any way, they will still do their job.

 

[twenty5]

Also from Heartfelts website:

DO NOT over hydrate the beads, over hydrating can cause the beads to leach the salts that are in the beads and will ultimately ruin their effectiveness.

..I mention the fluid that is added to the beads I say “distilled water”. This is extremely important; anything other than distilled water will ultimately ruin the beads. All the impurities in tap water will be drawn in by the beads and remain there. Ultimately the beads will get plugged up and not work anymore.

Now I know that is using tap water, but it seems pretty easy for these beads to absorb impurities, a good sign of this is them changing to that brown color.
So, over humidification and absorbtion of impurities will cause the beads to fail. This seems a lot more reasonable than a claim that since there are no moving parts they will last forever.

Back to the fracturing, I have a lb or 2 of heartfelt beads at home and wouldnt mind turning them to dust and trying to maintain the humidity of a desktop. I would like to know if the beads will hold up to their claim, I highly, highly doubt it.

 

[dpricenator]

I have been using the HCM beads now for a few months and couldn't be happier. I have 3 8 oz bags in may end table cabinet. They do thier work, as soon as the RH drops 2 points, I pull them out and set them in a tupperware with a wet sponge for a day or 2 and then they are good to go or another month. I havr a fairly large area and may need another bag or 2 and then it would maintain a bit longer.

 

[jebloom22]

This is awesome! Thanks guys!

I recognize that the HCM beads are harder to setup. If anyone has advice on doing this process correctly and efficiently, that would be a great supplement to Justin's original post.

I think I'm leaning towards the Shilala beads now.

 

[dpricenator]

Be sure your humidor is well seasoned and is not leaky.

Then put em in.

see where your RH settles, and if you need to fiddle with them from there, then do so, but mine were more of a plug and play set up. I tossed em in, and they help solid. A week or so later I sealed up a few leaks in the humi,re moistened the beads for a coule of days and it's been holding at 1 month increments.

 

[Jwrussell]

Now I know that is using tap water, but it seems pretty easy for these beads to absorb impurities, a good sign of this is them changing to that brown color.
So, over humidification and absorbtion of impurities will cause the beads to fail. This seems a lot more reasonable than a claim that since there are no moving parts they will last forever.

Back to the fracturing, I have a lb or 2 of heartfelt beads at home and wouldnt mind turning them to dust and trying to maintain the humidity of a desktop. I would like to know if the beads will hold up to their claim, I highly, highly doubt it.

Good points, Justin. I had missed the part about over-hydration. I wonder exactly HOW over-hydrated we are talking about... As to the second part, ALL cigar media (well, all that we are discussing) requires the use of distilled water. I'll give you that the changing of color and the retention of smells does bring into question whether or not those things could compromise the performance of the beads over time. However, again, I've had HF beads for....hell, I would have to guess and say between 3-5 years, and none have turned into a pile of dust and all seem to be working as designed. As to turning them to dust and trying to use them, you are more than welcome to, but I wouldn't take that bet! :headroll:

I guess we could quibble all day about whether or not they'll outlast us, but they've been around for well over 10 years and are still going strong, so I don't think it's valid to say that in most people's hands, used correctly, that they don't last for a long, long time. All I'm trying to say is that if these things only ever lasted 6-9 months that no one would be using them.

 

[twenty5]

All I'm trying to say is that if these things only ever lasted 6-9 months that no one would be using them.

I will agree with you there but I am not the only person to replace them due to them falling apart. If you are like me and cant stand the dust and crap these things give off when they fracture, then the life span is not very long at all, thats all Im saying.

 

[Jwrussell]

Fair 'nough, brother! :thumbsup: