Problem with Heartfelt beads

[bokiopaki]

Hello,
recently I’ve purchased two batches of Heartfelt beads calibrated on RH 70% and with both I had the same problem.

After I got the beads, I put them into a tupperware with a small bowl of distilled water next to them and left it for a three days to rehydrate. After most of them (not all) became clear, just as explained on their website, I poured them into two medium Heartfelt tubes and then put them in my humidor.

Problem is, even after a week in a humidor, RH is always between 66% and 68% and it isn’t rising to 70% as it is supposed to.

First I thought that maybe by accident they sent me beads calibrated to lower humidity but since I had problems with two separate batches I ordered, I doubt that’s the case.
Then I thought my humidor is maybe leaking so I sealed all possible holes with a duct tape but nothing changed - humidity still floats between 66% and 68%.
Then I thought my hygrometer is wrong but last few months I did a salt test few times and every single time, last time around 10 days ago, it showed sharp 75%.

Also it’s worth mentioning that this is a really small desktop humidor for around 40-50 cigars and is also almost full so two medium Heartfelt tubes should be more than enough to maintain a proper humidity. It is not a new humi, it was properly seasoned and had some kind of humidifier inside from the beginning.
The room temperature is always between 60-10 F (15°C - 21°C)

Any ideas what’s wrong?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Angry Bill]

First off, welcome to the board. Take some time and go to the introduction section and make that introduction to everyone, so we know some about you, http://www.botl.org/community/forums/forumdisplay.php/23-Introductions

As for the beads, I've been using them for over five years and never had a problem with them. They are the only beads I will use. Remember, although they may be 70% beads! there is no absolute and can adjust + or - 2%. Temperature can account for the flux action of the humidity also, But the folks at Heartfelt can better comment on their beads, personally I prefer a lower humidity for the storage of my cigars, but to each their own, Hope that helps.

 

[bdc30]

I agree with Bill. I'd much prefer my sticks around 65% as opposed to 70%. That being said, don't sweat it if your levels are a bit low - it's possibly due to all the fiddling around with your humi and opening/closing it all the time that it's a bit drier than you like.

 

[Jfire]

Your humi may of been slightly dry. Give it time. And btw this winter has been a bitch on most people's humis. I actually have had to spray my winodors 3-4x this winter which is unheard of for me.
Also leave the humi at 65-66%

 

[sofc]

I prefer mine at 64. Unless they're to age and that's at 63.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[rdomfoto]

Also, you said that there's been "some kind of humidifier inside from the beginning". If it's a small humidor, it's a passive humidifier (presumably) and uses foam or some other material. It's possible that that is also dry and is absorbing moisture from the humidor.

I did the salt test with my hygrometer a few times and I had a very hard time getting it dialed in properly. Finally broke down and spent the insane amount of $5 (sarcasm) and bought a Boveda calibration kit. My hygrometer was off by about 8%. The salt test, in theory, is accurate but it requires a human (in my case, an inept human) to mix the correct amount of water and salt. So I would also suggest getting the calibration test. After all, even a 20 count humidor can easily be holding a few hundred dollars worth of cigars, so why not spend the $5 protecting that investment.

As Joliet said, this Winter has been a royal bitch (at least here in Northern Illinois) with really cold temperatures and very dry air. Even my well sealed Tupperdor has a hard time maintaining 65% Rh and I am still using a jar of Xikar gel beads that are calibrated to 70%.

I would re-season the humidor again, re-calibrate the hygrometer with the Boveda kit, check the sponge or foam in the humidifier, and then check your Hearfelt beads to make sure they are properly hydrated.

One last note, when you open the lid to your humidor, you'll see the reading on the hygro plummet pretty quickly because it's reading the ambient air and not the moisture levels of the cigars. Don't worry - as long as you're not leaving the lid open for long periods of time, your cigars won't dry out from the everyday opening and closing.

And welcome, from Chicago!

 

[ascrivner]

I'd also say get a plant sprayer, put distilled in it, set it on jet, and just spray the beads directly 8 or 9 times. It took about 3 months for my cigars and boxes to all get acclimated in an igloo 150 and I ran low for a long time, but do trust the beads, just spray every 2 weeks perhaps for the first 3 months. Now I'm running 66% all the time using 65% beads with some humidity backfill from bovedas @ 69, I respray only every 6 weeks or so now because the contents of the humi are also holding a lot of humidity.

 

[mcroom]

You have gotten some great suggestions and recommendations. :welcome:

 

[4noggins.com_Mike]

I use Heartfelt, and though like the OP I've not achieved rH at precisely the indicated rating of the beads, 60, 65 or 70, what I have gotten is a great deal of worry-free, maintenance-free, stability at a specific rH close to the beads' rating.

 

[Bsneed51]

If you're able to tell the difference in how a cigar smokes/ages based on RH of 68% vs 70% I would be impressed. I'm sure there is someone out there that can, but I'm certainly not that person.

 

[rdomfoto]

If you're able to tell the difference in how a cigar smokes/ages based on RH of 68% vs 70% I would be impressed. I'm sure there is someone out there that can, but I'm certainly not that person.

I finally got to the point where I can tell the difference in how a cigar smokes based on whether or not I removed the cellophane.

 

[sofc]

If you're able to tell the difference in how a cigar smokes/ages based on RH of 68% vs 70% I would be impressed. I'm sure there is someone out there that can, but I'm certainly not that person.

I finally got to the point where I can tell the difference in how a cigar smokes based on whether or not I removed the cellophane.

That's impressive. Which one is better?

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[rdomfoto]

I mean, I can tell the difference in whether or not the cellophane is still on the cigar while I am smoking it!

Oh, and I prefer smoking a cigar with the cellophane off.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I mean, I can tell the difference in whether or not the cellophane is still on the cigar while I am smoking it!

Oh, and I prefer smoking a cigar with the cellophane off.

I'm picking up a bit of polypropylene in the first third...

 

[RamzaFreak20]

My HF beads did the same thing. Then I realized I had a glass panel loose (ditched that humidor) so I was trying to humidify Texas. Unless it's Houston, that won't work. Make sure you're getting a good seal.

 

[rdomfoto]

Make sure you're getting a good seal.

And one with really big eyes

 

[JD_Howard]

I heard good seals could be found in California...lmao

 

[RamzaFreak20]

No no... People keep twisting my words...

He needs a good SEAL:

View attachment 39643

 

[mistaforty]

Yeah they definitely keep the humidity in

 

[JD_Howard]

So your saying that he needs a good seal...singing Kiss From A Rose while killing Bin laden?