Shilala Beads

[akumushi]

For any of you on the fence about what to do for your humidification needs,
or if you're having trouble maintaining constant humidity with your boveda
packs or propylene glycol, I just wanted to give a shout out for the shilala beads (http://www.shilalabeads.com/).
I have always had trouble maintaining constant humidity during the summer,
and these babies have been keeping my stash at 65% on the dot
with no variation since the moment I put them in. I am extremely
impressed with the quality of the product and only regret that it took
this long for me to invest in some. Noobs, you have got to put some of
these beads in your humidor! I am one happy customer.:tu

[BigAsh]

:tpd: x2

[jmsremax]

:tpd: x2

:tu

[Ogre]

:tpd: x3

[KenyanSandBoa]

:tpd:

There is nothing better. I have never, and I truly mean NEVER opened my humi and read anything other than 65% rh on my hygrometers.

I love these beads. :tu

[G G]

Same here as the rest.:tu

[shilala]

Just so everyone knows, I invented the beads cause I'm the cheapest bastage on earth. When I did it, it was only cause I needed tons of beads and didn't want to pay the till.
I've worked with environmental control all my life, and I invent stuff. I also used to design/build/retrofit environmental control systems for factories and stuff, and I've always invented things all my life.
When I got interested in beads, I did tons of tests. My whole house was a bead lab. When I discovered the HCM beads, I was shocked by the data. It said that they should work tons better than everything I had already tested. I was totally skeptical.
Then I got the stuff and started tests. My test data was so incredibly good, I honestly didn't believe it. I got more skeptical.
So I enlisted dozens of brothers to test the stuff. I changed things and improved things and got lots of ideas from the brothers. I collected tons of "real world" data.
It took a number of months before the beads made a believer out of me.

I decided that they were too awesome to not offer to the public, and I had spent a fortune on crap to test and develop the beads. So I started selling them to get my money back.
It became way too much for me to handle, and I hated making beads. I create stuff. It's what I enjoy. Making beads all day every day was like hell to me.
So I decided to get rid of the whole deal and move on, which is what makes me happy. :)
Michael bought the business, came and trained with me, and he's doing a tremendous job. He's a good guy, he's generous, he's polite, fun, affable, and a true BOTL in every sense, and he just keeps getting better. It's really for the best that he's running with the beads, because since he bought the idea my health has plummeted. Now it's starting to get better, Thank God.

I honestly could not be more pleased with the whole experience. The beads are light years better than anything available. They last forever. They work way better.
It's honestly a huge step ahead for keeping our cigars on many different levels.
I know everyone doesn't want to drink the Koolaid. I get that. I invented them and I didn't want to drink the Koolaid myself. I was skeptical for months DESPITE having all the data, and DESPITE having done all the tests myself.
I do know that in time, everyone will move to them once they've tried them. Or maybe not. We like what we like, and that's awesome. It's a "Smoke what you like" thing. I can say that there's nothing out there that works or lasts or even comes close to the value or effectiveness of the beads. That's not pride talking, it's happy talking. I did something good with the help of all my brothers, and I couldn't have done it without you all.
We're all going to benefit if we choose, and that's simply awesome. :)

[Mindflux]

I did something good with the help of all my brothers, and I couldn't have done it without you all.
We're all going to benefit if we choose, and that's simply awesome. :)


Release the recipe ;)

[KenyanSandBoa]

Release the recipe ;)

Buy the beads ;)

[Mindflux]

Buy the beads ;)

I would if I could afford the markup on clay.

56% markup (on pounds) over RH/Heartfelt beads. Hard to justify.

[issues]

As soon as I am finished paying off my vinotemp, I am picking up another 2 lbs! :tu

[shilala]

I would if I could afford the markup on clay.

56% markup (on pounds) over RH/Heartfelt beads. Hard to justify.
It's hard to justify if you're uninformed. Take a minute to look over Michael's website. Read. Get educated.
Honestly, your statement is absolutely 100% incorrect on at least 20 different levels.
Just my post alone invalidates your assertion. Completely. Just on lastibility alone Michaels beads win out by a huge margin, unless you plan to die tomorrow. :rolleyes:

[Mindflux]

It's hard to justify if you're uninformed. Take a minute to look over Michael's website. Read. Get educated.
Honestly, your statement is absolutely 100% incorrect on at least 20 different levels.
Just my post alone invalidates your assertion. Completely. Just on lastibility alone Michaels beads win out by a huge margin, unless you plan to die tomorrow. :rolleyes:

Again, not like you have a vested interest in this. (even if it's just ego at this point)

Plenty use RH/Heartfelt beads with no problems. Plenty use Shilala with no problems. For the 56% difference in price (at the pound level) I just can't justify "magic clay" at the moment.

Don't get all butt hurt over opinion.

*Edit: Some day (when my car isn't rear ended and my A/C didn't go out just days later on the house) when I have some spare cash to buy some "magic clay" beads I'll form my own opinion of them. Until then I'll have to suffer. :rolleyes:

[shilala]

Again not like you have a vested interest in this (even if it's just ego at this point).

Plenty use RH/Heartfelt beads with no problems. Plenty use Shilala with no problems.

For the 56% difference in price (at the pound level) I just can't justify "magic clay" at the moment.

Lol. You're probably right on the money. I'm quite an egomaniac. :rolleyes:

Like I said, everyone doesn't have to drink the Koolaid. It's okay. If you don't want any part of the beads, that's cool.
I simply hope everyone tries them, because I know what they do, how they do it, and why they do it. I know the value.
It just doesn't help anyone for you to claim things that are 100% wrong.
As I mentioned before, all the information lies there for you to justify magic clay. All the test data has been posted in the wide open spaces from day one. If you choose not to look, that's fine.
You yourself wanted to try them at my expense. I'd have done it in a minute if you were willing to read a little. You're clearly not willing to get educated about them. That's cool, too.
It's your life, my brother. You can do and say whatever you like. :tu

[Mindflux]

Lol. You're probably right on the money. I'm quite an egomaniac. :rolleyes:

Like I said, everyone doesn't have to drink the Koolaid. It's okay. If you don't want any part of the beads, that's cool.
I simply hope everyone tries them, because I know what they do, how they do it, and why they do it. I know the value.
It just doesn't help anyone for you to claim things that are 100% wrong.
As I mentioned before, all the information lies there for you to justify magic clay. All the test data has been posted in the wide open spaces from day one. If you choose not to look, that's fine.
You yourself wanted to try them at my expense. I'd have done it in a minute if you were willing to read a little. You're clearly not willing to get educated about them. That's cool, too.
It's your life, my brother. You can do and say whatever you like. :tu

I actually spent about a week trying to search every board I'm a member of about your beads. I read opinions as well as your posts. I'm still just not ready to 'drink the koolaid' as you say, it's not for lack of trying to understand how your beads differ other than composition.

FWIW: I'm using KL.

[shilala]

I actually spent about a week trying to search every board I'm a member of about your beads. I read opinions as well as your posts. I'm still just not ready to 'drink the koolaid' as you say, it's not for lack of trying to understand how your beads differ other than composition.

FWIW: I'm using KL.
If you want to start a thread and ask direct questions, I'll give you straight answers to anything you want to ask, my brother. I'm sure Michael will chime in, too.
The "how they work" is because of how they are made and their physical properties. It's really interesting if you dig science. It's more like a colonoscopy if you're not. :D
I can explain the difference between Kitty Litter and all the different grades of silica gel, too. It ain't rocket surgery, but it's still pretty boring.
All the posts on creating the beads were at Club Stogie. That's where we developed them. It ain't Club Stogie anymore, and I haven't been back forever, so I don't know what's left of the info. They saved everything, to my knowledge. My screen name was the same there, so you could search that way.

[lbowles2]

I've already got 2.5 lbs of Heartfelt beads but wouldn't mind trying some Shilala beads. Will the two work together?

[shilala]

I've already got 2.5 lbs of Heartfelt beads but wouldn't mind trying some Shilala beads. Will the two work together?
Yup.
Dave's beads will work really hard to control the RH to their setpoint though.That creates oddities that are really complicated, but the short answer is "Yup".
It does defeat the flexibility of the shilala beads, because they can be changed to whatever setpoint you desire. If you use them with Dave's beads, they'll constantly try to assume those bead's setpoint.
I always suggested that guys wait till they are ready for new beads and use all one kind. It's just easier than explaining what could happen, and it's good advice. :)

[stewshi]

I ordered beads from Michael last week and they came Monday packed perfectly. Highly respectable business and quick service. Both him and Shilala have answered all my questions and im very thankful to have been educated.

[lbowles2]

Yup.
Dave's beads will work really hard to control the RH to their setpoint though.That creates oddities that are really complicated, but the short answer is "Yup".
It does defeat the flexibility of the shilala beads, because they can be changed to whatever setpoint you desire. If you use them with Dave's beads, they'll constantly try to assume those bead's setpoint.
I always suggested that guys wait till they are ready for new beads and use all one kind. It's just easier than explaining what could happen, and it's good advice. :)

I am using the 65% beads from Dave so I am thinking they might work in harmony. Or am I just dreaming??? :rolleyes:

[aich75013]

I have an extra pound of Shilala's beads on order from Michael.
I needed extra storage after recent events. :bh
I wouldn't use anything else as they are extremely easy to use.

[lbowles2]

I have an extra pound of Shilala's beads on order from Michael.
I needed extra storage after recent events. :bh
I wouldn't use anything else as they are extremely easy to use.

LOL... that has been a fun thread to watch :banger

[shilala]

I am using the 65% beads from Dave so I am thinking they might work in harmony. Or am I just dreaming??? :rolleyes:
Not in harmony at all, but they will compliment each other. Dave's will dictate the RH in your humi because there's an RH control additive in the beads. Plus you won't be able to change RH.
There's nothing to be harmed, except the care instructions are different for both and you really need to take care of each in their own respective fashion.
You can use the shilala bead instructions to care for both beads, but you can't use Dave's care instructions on the shilala beads.
Does any of that make any sense at all? :confused:

[shilala]

Sorry for puking up your thread, Clayton!!! :)

[awsmith4]

I have used both kinds of beads and I have to say the HCM beads perform better and last longer. I have had them in my desktops, my coolers, and my travel humis. If my cabinet didn't have a active humidification device I'd have them in there as well. The reason I say the work better, at least for me, is that I usually keep things around 61-63% and I can adjust them as I see fit. While I just sold some of mine that used to be in my cooler I still use them in my desktop and 2 travel humis.

[Morgue]

I ordered some Shilala beads about a month ago and finally was able to put them in the new humi this weekend so I cannot comment to their magic as others do, but...

They shipped immediately and were packaged perfectly.

[SaltyMcGee]

Could someone point me to the thread that explains how you can control the RH with these beads? Is it a matter of using more or less water? ME = Stupid, and I haven't found where on the website it explains how to change RH.

[Mindflux]

Could someone point me to the thread that explains how you can control the RH with these beads? Is it a matter of using more or less water? ME = Stupid.

First you wave your magic wand and shout out "Expelliramus" and do two 360 degrees spins and curtsy toward your humidor.

Then the magic clay just does it's job at your desired RH.

:D

[stewshi]

You can just click on the link in Shilala's sig that is 4 posts up it will lead you to the site. Under "About Us" there is a link on the bottom on how to care for your beads. I would post a direct link but still dont know the rules on that here.

Could someone point me to the thread that explains how you can control the RH with these beads? Is it a matter of using more or less water? ME = Stupid.

[SaltyMcGee]

First you wave your magic wand and shout out "Expelliramus" and do two 360 degrees spins and curtsy toward your humidor.

Then the magic clay just does it's job at your desired RH.

:D

Ah yes, the Potter method. Thanks for the heads up!

EDIT: I found the part of the site that explains how to change RH

[Mindflux]

Ah yes, the Potter method. Thanks for the heads up!



Well they are magic after all.
:r

[Jack1000]

To the folks using these: Did you have heartfelt beads before and find this to be better or was this your first go around with beads? I'm using the HF beads in my vinotemp and a a cooler and they work fine, but I find the claims of total RH stability from these intriguing. Might have to give some a try.

[longknocker]

To the folks using these: Did you have heartfelt beads before and find this to be better or was this your first go around with beads? I'm using the HF beads in my vinotemp and a a cooler and they work fine, but I find the claims of total RH stability from these intriguing. Might have to give some a try.

I've Only Used Scott Shilala's Beads & They Work Great In My Crazy Climate of 100* Temps & 100% RH.:banger I Have Them In 3 Coolidors & 4 Humidors.

[SaltyMcGee]

To the folks using these: Did you have heartfelt beads before and find this to be better or was this your first go around with beads? I'm using the HF beads in my vinotemp and a a cooler and they work fine, but I find the claims of total RH stability from these intriguing. Might have to give some a try.

On the flip side of this, I have a set of 65 % heartfelt beads that are having incredible trouble keeping the RH in my cooler below 70%. Is there something I should do with what I have or is my only recourse to buy these new beads?

[Mindflux]

On the flip side of this, I have a set of 65 % heartfelt beads that are having incredible trouble keeping the RH in my cooler below 70%. Is there something I should do with what I have or is my only recourse to buy these new beads?


You could try drying out the beads a bit.

[SaltyMcGee]

You could try drying out the beads a bit.

Is the best method to put them in the fridge for awhile?

[T.G]

On the flip side of this, I have a set of 65 % heartfelt beads that are having incredible trouble keeping the RH in my cooler below 70%. Is there something I should do with what I have or is my only recourse to buy these new beads?

Are you sure they are 65%RH beads? Did they ever hold at 65%?

Test them in a container with a hygrometer. Accidents happen, maybe you were shipped the wrong ones.

Another possibility is that something in there is very wet, could be some cigars (some vendors and retailers tend to ship stuff wet), or it could even be the wood of a box that is too moist, and since coolers don't breathe much, it's going to stay that way until you get what ever it is a bit dryer. If the ambient humidity where you live is lower than 65%, then you can just leave the lid open for a few hours or even a day or so, all depends how wet the problem causer is and how dry the weather is where you live and/or you can also try drying out all of the HF beads with a hair drier, then put them in the cooler - at which point, they will work like a desiccant and pull moisture from the air until they either become saturated or the air drops to 65%.

[Mindflux]

Is the best method to put them in the fridge for awhile?

Probably not a bad way to go. Whatever's gonna remove moisture from them.

Your beads should be about 70% clear, if they are any wetter that could be part of your humidity problem.

[SaltyMcGee]

Are you sure they are 65%RH beads? Did they ever hold at 65%?

Test them in a container with a hygrometer. Accidents happen, maybe you were shipped the wrong ones.

Another possibility is that something in there is very wet, could be some cigars (some vendors and retailers tend to ship stuff wet), or it could even be the wood of a box that is too moist, and since coolers don't breath much, it's going to stay that way until you get what ever it is a bit dryer. If the ambient humidity where you live is lower than 65%, then you can just leave the lid open for a few hours or even a day or so, all depends how wet the problem causer is and how dry the weather is where you live. You can also try drying out all of the HF beads with a hair drier, then put them in the cooler - at which point, they will work like a dessicant and pull moisture from the air until they either become saturated or the air drops to 65%.

Yes they are definitely 65%. The hair dryer idea is a great one!

[lbowles2]

Not in harmony at all, but they will compliment each other. Dave's will dictate the RH in your humi because there's an RH control additive in the beads. Plus you won't be able to change RH.
There's nothing to be harmed, except the care instructions are different for both and you really need to take care of each in their own respective fashion.
You can use the shilala bead instructions to care for both beads, but you can't use Dave's care instructions on the shilala beads.
Does any of that make any sense at all? :confused:

Yes it does make sense. Thanks for the replies. Next month when I can afford it I think I will buy 1.5 lbs of the shilala beads and see which I like better. It looks like some people could use the feedback of the direct comparison.

[weak_link]

Scott can you suggest a way to keep the bags from splitting? The large bags that sit at the bottom of my vino are fine but the ones that get moved around from time to time in the desktops have some issues. Two or 3 of the small bags have split on me. I tried to melt the bags back together with a torch with varying degrees of success. Actually not much success, just a lot of fail.

[chippewastud79]

Yes they are definitely 65%. The hair dryer idea is a great one!

Make sure they are contained somehow, like putting them in some nylons. Unless ofcourse you just really like picking up small beads or really want to vacuum. Ofcourse if they are in tubes or closed containers, the suggestion is moot. :tu

[Mindflux]

Scott can you suggest a way to keep the bags from splitting? The large bags that sit at the bottom of my vino are fine but the ones that get moved around from time to time in the desktops have some issues. Two or 3 of the small bags have split on me. I tried to melt the bags back together with a torch with varying degrees of success. Actually not much success, just a lot of fail.

Just transfer them into panty hose (new) and knot the end off.

[Brad]

Just transfer them into panty hose (new) and knot the end off.

Yup, this is what I do as well. Works fine.

[chippewastud79]

Just transfer them into panty hose (new) and knot the end off.

Yup, this is what I do as well. Works fine.

I think he is asking Scott how to re-seal the bag they come in or a preventive measure to keep them from splitting, not what else he could put them in. ;)

[Mindflux]

I think he is asking Scott how to re-seal the bag they come in or a preventive measure to keep them from splitting, not what else he could put them in. ;)


Why bother re sealing them at this point. We are giving him a working alternative.

[chippewastud79]

Why bother re sealing them at this point. We are giving him a working alternative.

Because the original question was about the bags they came in, not what else he could put them in. :2

[jonumberone]

Are these beads as easy to use as the web site claims? When they arrive don't do anything to them, just place in your humidor and wait?

[weak_link]

I'll try the pantyhose, seems obvious but didn't even think of it.

[mithrilG60]

That's about it, assuming you like your cigars at 65%. If not you can either pay the extra to have them pre-conditioned to your preferred RH or just raise/lower them yourself. I'm in the process of raising mine to 70% along with the contents of both of my humidors. The beads were easy to get to 70, just followed the instructions on the site, but of course since the humidors have been at 65% for a couple years as soon as they went in they went back down towards equilbrium closer to 65 so I've also got green foam in at the moment to provide an outside source of moisture. It's taken a month or so but it's now starting to get close so I expect the cigars and wood are close to reaching 70% themselves and I'll be able to pull out the foam.

[jonumberone]

I think i'm gonna give em a try.

[Ty Atkinson]

I think i will give the beads a try at some point, but anything that creates such a violent reaction when in direct contact with water is a bit scary to me.

[mithrilG60]

There shouldn't be any liquid water in your humidor so you'll be safe ;)

[shilala]

Scott can you suggest a way to keep the bags from splitting? The large bags that sit at the bottom of my vino are fine but the ones that get moved around from time to time in the desktops have some issues. Two or 3 of the small bags have split on me. I tried to melt the bags back together with a torch with varying degrees of success. Actually not much success, just a lot of fail.
Eric, all you have to do is use an iron. Set it on it's highest setting and fix the seams. When you iron them, you want to lay the bag on a piece of fabric, but NOT a towel.
Press down with the iron and hold it until you know the bag has come to temperature. Pressing is important. It pushes the blue around and makes it stick good.
The other option is to just sew the edges.
The fabric is tricky to seal. I can tell if it's right by squeezing the bags after I make them. At a time, I had a crappy iron and had a lot of fail that I didn't catch. I got a new super fancy iron and it alleviated the fail. :tu
I have a couple two ounce sticks in my travel humi that I made a long time ago, the ends are splitting on me. I need to fix them. They're one of the million things I have to fix around here. :)

[shilala]

I'll try the pantyhose, seems obvious but didn't even think of it.
Don't do that, Eric. The beads will fall right through. They're too small for pantyhose. Plus if you put them in a ball, you lose the surface area that's working for you. I tried pantyhose. It makes a huge mess. :D

[OLS]

I was thinking that, too. I had a bag split on me the other day, and I just took
some packing tape and sealed the edge that way. I lose about 8 percent of my air
exchange area, but now I have a handle to grab. The beads will not all go through
the nylons, but enough will that you will be sorry you did that.

[shilala]

I was thinking that, too. I had a bag split on me the other day, and I just took
some packing tape and sealed the edge that way. I lose about 8 percent of my air
exchange area, but now I have a handle to grab. The beads will not all go through
the nylons, but enough will that you will be sorry you did that.
I stuck a tiny piece of duct tape on my one on the roof of my travel humi. That worked up until this past weekend. :D
If you stretch the nylons taught, it's kinda like they aren't there. More like a sieve than a bag. When I was finding a fabric to use, I tried almost everything. I can't remember how I came across the fusible knit. I think I was looking for something else in the fabric store and was gonna use fabric glue or this iron-on glue strip they have. When I saw that stuff, I was all like "Dood. Nice."
It wouldn't come apart when I got it ironed right, although it is delicate. The delicate is a tradeoff because it's so sheer, doesn't stretch, and it allows a perfect transfer of water to air.

[Trouble]

I am a little confused on how to recharge the beads. Usually I would put them in a bag with a small dish of warm water and let the beads slowly recharge. Reading the site it says that is exactly how you should raise the PH of the beads. I have noticed that my humidor now stays around 68.

How do you charge them without raising the RH?

[lbowles2]

I am a little confused on how to recharge the beads. Usually I would put them in a bag with a small dish of warm water and let the beads slowly recharge. Reading the site it says that is exactly how you should raise the PH of the beads. I have noticed that my humidor now stays around 68.

How do you charge them without raising the RH?

You don't recharge the Shilala beads like you do the Heartfelt beads. Once they achieve the rh you want that is where they stay until you remove them from that environment. Once you move them to another environment they will try to achieve that ph level. That's why they say to store them in a ziplock back when not in use.

[Mindflux]

Don't do that, Eric. The beads will fall right through. They're too small for pantyhose. Plus if you put them in a ball, you lose the surface area that's working for you. I tried pantyhose. It makes a huge mess. :D

how small are the beads? they'd have to be almost microscopic to fall through panty hose?

[Trouble]

You don't recharge the Shilala beads like you do the Heartfelt beads. Once they achieve the rh you want that is where they stay until you remove them from that environment. Once you move them to another environment they will try to achieve that ph level. That's why they say to store them in a ziplock back when not in use.

You do have to recharge them right? So the question is how do you recharge them without changing the PH?

[mithrilG60]

The only time you should have to add moisture is if: a) you have a bad seal/leaky humidor, b) you open the humidor ALOT and leave it open for long periods of time. If your RH does drop, and stay, at a lower level than you want you just need to put the beads in a sealed container with a water soaked sponge for a few hours to increase their water saturation. When you put the beads back into the humidor your RH will raise as the beads shed moisture in reseeking equilibrium.

[Trouble]

The only time you should have to add moisture is if: a) you have a bad seal/leaky humidor, b) you open the humidor ALOT and leave it open for long periods of time. If your RH does drop, and stay, at a lower level than you want you just need to put the beads in a sealed container with a water soaked sponge for a few hours to increase their water saturation. When you put the beads back into the humidor your RH will raise as the beads shed moisture in reseeking equilibrium.

No humidor is perfect and the beads will need recharging.

If you put them in a sealed container with a water soaked spong you will raise the PH.

Still the question remains....

[Mindflux]

The only time you should have to add moisture is if: a) you have a bad seal/leaky humidor, b) you open the humidor ALOT and leave it open for long periods of time. If your RH does drop, and stay, at a lower level than you want you just need to put the beads in a sealed container with a water soaked sponge for a few hours to increase their water saturation. When you put the beads back into the humidor your RH will raise as the beads shed moisture in reseeking equilibrium.

traditional humidors are meant to 'breathe', the seals aren't perfect because they aren't supposed to be.

[mithrilG60]

No humidor is perfect and the beads will need recharging.

If you put them in a sealed container with a water soaked spong you will raise the PH.

Still the question remains....

No, I'm not kidding. IF your beads need recharging you put them in a sealed container with a water soaked sponge.... just like the instructions on the website (and those that come with the beads) say so the beads can absorb additional moisture. That in turn will raise the RH of the humidor when you put the beads back in. If the beads scrub ammonia like the website claims then their effect on the PH will trend towards neutral, but in general PH is not a major concern.

traditional humidors are meant to 'breathe', the seals aren't perfect because they aren't supposed to be.

I never said they didn't breathe, I said that unless you have a crappy seal or open your humidor all the time you should not have to add moisture. A well constructed humidor breathes primarily through it's wood, and the moisture loss should be very very minimal unless you happen to live somewhere extremely arid. The average RH in my area is typically around 40%, when I was using Heartfelt beads I would only have to recharge them maybe 3 times a year. Given everyone's posted and documented experience with HCM beads I expect that, once my humidors have reached the 70% steady state I'm moving them towards that I will for all intents and purposes not need to add moisture.

Your mileage may vary, but you are constantly and frequently having to add moisture you either live in a desert or have a leaky humidor :2

[shilala]

No humidor is perfect and the beads will need recharging.

If you put them in a sealed container with a water soaked spong you will raise the PH.

Still the question remains....
There's recharging instructions at Michael's site. The link is in my sig.
The beads work via equilibrium, as mentioned.
They hold a vast amount of water as opposed to conventional beads. By way of a sh!t ton of mathematical and physical properties, they need to be "recharged" very seldom, even in a "traditionally mildly leaky humidor" situation.

To give you an idea, you can open a winador around 800 times before the beads will move one point in RH.
Granted, that statement is assuming the room is within 20 points of the beads. As in the beads are at 65% and the room is between 45% and 85%. There are a zillion variables to do that equation, and the final number relies on the very ends of the equation. In normal instances, you can open and close your humi forever without the beads changing, because the winter is drier and the summer is wetter, and the beads simply recondition upwards and downwards across the time period.
A humi has to really have an exceptionally bad seal to affect the beads negatively. So bad that it doesn't fall into the "traditional breathing category" whatsoever. It has to fall into the "it's more a shoebox than a humidor" category.
I'm not doing the math for someone who lives in the rainforest or in the desert. :)
Hope this helps!!! :tu

[shilala]

On the ammonia/PH thing...
To recharge, you use water vapor. That way there is no chance of soiling the surface of the beads. You use distilled water.

The beads trap ammonia via their structure and covalency.
The beads are full of tunnels. Those tunnels are small enough to hold out free hydrocarbns, yet large enough to let in ammonia molecules.
Once ammonia is drawn in (and I say "drawn in" because it is via the electrical charge of the beads) it is bound inside the beads.
There is so much ammonia capturing potential in a volume of beads per volume of humidor space that they can never become saturated with ammonia in a humidor, no matter how many wet cigars you put in there.
It's another huge mathematical equation that bears that out. The never is because there's roughly 3,000 years of potential in a volume of beads per volume of humidor space, based on a constant flow of ammonia from cigars for that entire period. So I suppose never is a bit agressive.
Cool thing is that if you do live for 3000 years, all you have to do is steam clean the beads, all the ammonia will be released, and your beads are brand new and ready for another 3000 years.

[G G]

To the folks using these: Did you have heartfelt beads before and find this to be better or was this your first go around with beads? I'm using the HF beads in my vinotemp and a a cooler and they work fine, but I find the claims of total RH stability from these intriguing. Might have to give some a try.
I had a tube of hearfelt beads in a desktop humi for over a year, and was contuinually having to recharge them with distilled water. I bought 1.5 lbs of the HCM beads from Scott for my vino when I bought it almost 2 years ago, and have only had to put a dish of distilled water in there maybe 2 times and it has now been at least a year since i had to do it and the humidity doesn't fluctuate. I also have two travel humis and bought what I thought was going to be one two ounce tube of HCM beads to go in my 36 count, and Scott sent a 2 ounce and a 1 ounce for the price of the 2 ounce. I now have to 1 ounce in my 15 count. I know that the comparison between a desktop and vino isn't apples to apples, but for my money as long as the HCM beads are available I will spend my money on them.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I certainly do not want or need an argument, but Scott Shilala is a stand up guy. When I was trying to figure out what to put in the vino for humidification I called him on the phone and he talked to me for an hour explaining how they worked and why they were better than anything else that is available. So even if Scott has an "interest" in the beads I will still buy them.:)

[Brutus2600]

A humi has to really have an exceptionally bad seal to affect the beads negatively. So bad that it doesn't fall into the "traditional breathing category" whatsoever. It has to fall into the "it's more a shoebox than a humidor" category.

The mental image popped into my head of somebody anal retentive about their RH and trying to maintain it in a shoebox and just not able to figure out why it wouldn't stay stable. It cracked me up :r:r:r

[Trouble]

There's recharging instructions at Michael's site. The link is in my sig.
The beads work via equilibrium, as mentioned.
They hold a vast amount of water as opposed to conventional beads. By way of a sh!t ton of mathematical and physical properties, they need to be "recharged" very seldom, even in a "traditionally mildly leaky humidor" situation.

To give you an idea, you can open a winador around 800 times before the beads will move one point in RH.
Granted, that statement is assuming the room is within 20 points of the beads. As in the beads are at 65% and the room is between 45% and 85%. There are a zillion variables to do that equation, and the final number relies on the very ends of the equation. In normal instances, you can open and close your humi forever without the beads changing, because the winter is drier and the summer is wetter, and the beads simply recondition upwards and downwards across the time period.
A humi has to really have an exceptionally bad seal to affect the beads negatively. So bad that it doesn't fall into the "traditional breathing category" whatsoever. It has to fall into the "it's more a shoebox than a humidor" category.
I'm not doing the math for someone who lives in the rainforest or in the desert. :)
Hope this helps!!! :tu

I do not see the recharging instructions on the site. I checked several times but maybe I am just missing it. Maybe you can just tell me.

[issues]

I do not see the recharging instructions on the site. I checked several times but maybe I am just missing it. Maybe you can just tell me.

Here's what I found on the site:


The HCM beads will (in a sealed environment) absorb water vapor until they reach equilibrium with their environment. This means that if all your cigars are at 70% the beads will absorb the water vapor until they reach an RH that is equal with the cigars.

This means that they will absorb the moisture from the cigars, and the beads themselves will be at a (slightly) higher RH. You should periodically check the RH of your beads by putting them in a Ziplock™ bag with a calibrated hygrometer for a couple of hours. If the beads are too high you can put them in your refrigerator until the RH comes down to where you want it. When you take the beads out of the cold environment you need to immediately put them into a Ziplock™ bag with a hygrometer until they warm to room temperature. Otherwise water will rapidly condense from the surrounding air onto the beads – defeating the whole drying-out process.

Never add water or wet HCM beads! If you want to increase the RH of the beads, put them in a Ziplock™, Tupperware™ or other sealed container with a damp sponge – making sure that the sponge does not touch the beads – and a hygrometer. Once the beads are at the desired RH, take the sponge out and seal the bag and let it sit for a time to verify that you have a stable RH.

[shilala]

I do not see the recharging instructions on the site. I checked several times but maybe I am just missing it. Maybe you can just tell me.
I think I get your question now.
Your PH was a typo, you meant RH.
You don't need to "recharge" them at all if they don't need to be. You determine whether or not they need recharged (it's "reconditioned", actually) by reading your hygrometer.
They don't need to be reconditioned just for the sake of reconditioning, as in "do it once a month".
Most guys never have to do anything to them. Some guys, once or twice a year. Some more often depending on their humis.
When someone has to recondition frequently, there's only one reason why that would happens. It's because humidity is escaping or entering the humidor. That means it leaks too much.
Then you just gotta seal it up a bit, beit with silicone or a rubber seal or whatever.
Did I get your question and answer it that time?
If not, help me understand and I'll do what I can. :tu

[stewshi]

Caring instructions are on the "about" portion of the site and there is a link at the bottom on how to use your beads.

[Trouble]

Yes, I did mean RH not PH. We are not talking fishtanks here.

Now I understand. They only need to be 'recharged' if they fall below the desired RH level. Took me a minute but I get it now.

[polobear]

So I have a question, which I thought about when I saw the comment to only use distilled water to recharge. Note, I use the HCM beads and am thrilled with them, and I have not had to recharge them after months of use in Colorado.

On to the question, what difference would it make if distilled water (vs. tap) was used to recharge them if the water was being applied as a vapor (as in, evap'd from a sponge or water, etc). By definition, isn't turning the water into vapor going to be creating 'distilled' water in the process? I'm a biology guy, not a chemistry guy, so maybe I'm missing something critical.

I've always used distilled (back when I used traditional humidifiers, anyway) but got to thinking about what the difference would be in this application.

[shilala]

So I have a question, which I thought about when I saw the comment to only use distilled water to recharge. Note, I use the HCM beads and am thrilled with them, and I have not had to recharge them after months of use in Colorado.

On to the question, what difference would it make if distilled water (vs. tap) was used to recharge them if the water was being applied as a vapor (as in, evap'd from a sponge or water, etc). By definition, isn't turning the water into vapor going to be creating 'distilled' water in the process? I'm a biology guy, not a chemistry guy, so maybe I'm missing something critical.

I've always used distilled (back when I used traditional humidifiers, anyway) but got to thinking about what the difference would be in this application.

I had the same question not so long ago. The small part is that evaporated water isn't distilled. It'll carry stuff away with it, to some extent.
That isn't the biggie, though.
If you use tap water, you take tons of spores, dirt, mold food, and crap to your humidor. Plus if you are using a sponge, it'll mold in a very short time.
By using distilled water, you keep a much more sanitary condition for a longer period of time.
There are mold spores everywhere, so in time, a distilled water soaked sponge will eventually mold, but it'll mold umpteen times faster with tap water. Both because there's more spores present and because tap water provides them food.

[polobear]

Well, that makes sense. But if we're putting the sponge and beads in a ziplock bag (not the humidor) to recharge it, would it still matter? Is this a question of contaminants making it onto the bead bag?

[CueTheMusic]

It might not matter as much if you are recharging in a ziplock baggie, but distilled water is so cheap and easy to come by, why risk it?

[OLS]

I think it is scientifically impossible to 'carry things with it' as water evaporates out of
the sponge and is taken up by beads. But I am no scientist. But I DO make fun of them. :D

[shilala]

I think it is scientifically impossible to 'carry things with it' as water evaporates out of
the sponge and is taken up by beads. But I am no scientist. But I DO make fun of them. :D
Brad, I thought he same exact thing up until not too long ago. When I was developing the beads I went and read up on water vapor. In reading, I found out water vapor can carry all kinds of stuff along with it by binding to it. I never knew that despite the fact I should because of the work I was in, plus I knew molecules of water bound to crap in the atmosphere and other molecules of water to become clouds and fog and so forth.
I had planned on writing "tap water" in the instructions to make things easier on people. Then I found that tons of mold spores are present in tap water. Plus vapor from tap water is more likely to carry crap.
So right back to distilled water we went.
I always used distilled water cause the old guys here said to use it. It was nice to find out why. :)

[polobear]

Huh. That's interesting to know, thanks for sharing that knowledge, Shilala!

[Morgue]

Love learning about this stuff.


Thanks for sharing Shilala!

[stewshi]

Shilala does know his stuff!

I had the pleasure of speaking to him on the phone yesterday and he had some solutions for my win-o-dor humidty issues i was having. I took his advice and so far everything looks 10 times better than before.

Great guy :tu

[captain53]

Shilala does know his stuff!

I had the pleasure of speaking to him on the phone yesterday and he had some solutions for my win-o-dor humidty issues i was having. I took his advice and so far everything looks 10 times better than before.

Great guy :tu

:tpd::tu

[longknocker]

:tpd::tu

:tu:tu:tu

[Chinogobraap]

I went to go check out a humidor today that i found on CL and bought it. The dimensions are; L- 24"xW-24"xH-30". After doing the calculations for Shilala beads it says I need; 17280 cu.in. or 2 lb. The humidor is supposed to hold 2000 sticks but I'll only have about 200 loose and 4-5 boxes in there for now. Do i need to actually purchase 2 lb or can I do with less for now?

The current owner uses the old green foam, and it holds temp and rh at 70/67%. I checked his hygrometer and the min/max in memory was 63/72. Any help would be great, I've never had to deal with a humi this big but he made me an offer I just couldn't turn down.

**If this is the wrong place to post this apologies

[Brutus2600]

Well, unless I'm incorrect in understanding how that type of humidification works, it doesn't matter how many sticks you have in the humidor...just how much room the beads have to humidify. So yeah, if that's how much the website says you need I would stick with 2lbs.

[Chinogobraap]

thanks

[Chinogobraap]

Ok I'm just about to put in my order for 2LB of HCM beads and I was just wondering about something. I noticed on the heartfelt site that you can purchase the beads without containers, just on their own. I can't seem to find that on the shilala beads site. I know I can just cut them out of the bag if i wanted to or are they designed a certain way to work better in those bags?

One last thing the site recommends doubling the weight it recommends is there really a need?

Thanks again in advance.

[tomc3084]

Ok I'm just about to put in my order for 2LB of HCM beads and I was just wondering about something. I noticed on the heartfelt site that you can purchase the beads without containers, just on their own. I can't seem to find that on the shilala beads site. I know I can just cut them out of the bag if i wanted to or are they designed a certain way to work better in those bags?

One last thing the site recommends doubling the weight it recommends is there really a need?

Thanks again in advance.

You don't need to, it is just recommended because it is always better to have too much than too little.

[Chinogobraap]

cool, thanks

[MiamiE]

How much would I need for a cabinet the size of an Aristocrat?

[Chinogobraap]

the easiest way to figure it out is to get the dimensions of your humidor, go to http://hcmbeads.com/products.asp , enter your dimensions and it'll spit out exactly what you need.

I just did this yesterday and my humi is 24x24x30 and it came out to 17280 cu.in. = 2LB
its literally play

[shilala]

Ok I'm just about to put in my order for 2LB of HCM beads and I was just wondering about something. I noticed on the heartfelt site that you can purchase the beads without containers, just on their own. I can't seem to find that on the shilala beads site. I know I can just cut them out of the bag if i wanted to or are they designed a certain way to work better in those bags?

One last thing the site recommends doubling the weight it recommends is there really a need?

Thanks again in advance.
They're designed to work in the bags they're made in.
The fabric is very sheer and durable for the best possible air transfer. The bags are just the right size to take full advantage of the bead's properties, and allow maximum exposure per volume of beads.
Another infoid is that the beads are tiny. Take them out of the bags and they will be all over your world.

Most everyone always uses two times the amount of beads necessary. I use three or four times what's necessary cause I'm mental. It's kinda like how we buy way more cigars than we'll ever smoke. :)
In the case of any beads, more can't hurt, and the more you have the quicker the recovery time will be in your humi.
If you use the same surface area amount of Michael's beads as opposed to any other media, they will bring a humi back to the desired RH over 800% faster than any otherstuff.
If you take them out of the bags and put them in bowls and things like that, you're just screwing yourself over. Unless you dump them on cookie sheets in your humidor. That'd be better. :D
It's another math-laden thing as to how beads work, but that's the short of it. "Don't take them out of the bags" is a really good suggestion. :tu

[weak_link]

Shame you guys don't offer replacment bags for these beads when they split. Maybe have a version sealed with velcro for those who need to repair the original broken bags. I've inquired more than once but have never been offered a solution. Might consider this an opportunity to grow the customer service side of the business.

[shilala]

Shame you guys don't offer replacment bags for these beads when they split. Maybe have a version sealed with velcro for those who need to repair the original broken bags. I've inquired more than once but have never been offered a solution. Might consider this an opportunity to grow the customer service side of the business.
Eric, all you have to do to fix your bags is re-iron the seams using the iron on it's highest setting.
It's super easy.
Use an old tshirt under the bags, NOT a towel. Press and hold for a few seconds in each area.
You can always hand-sew the bags, too. It wouldn't be too awful tough. :tu

[Jack1000]

Just ordered some beads. I have HF beads in my humi's now so I will do a comparison for anyone who is interested.

[lbowles2]

I will be ordering some as well. This thread has sold me. Also I am having with the heartfelt beads. If I have the vino upstairs they can't get the humidity high enough and if I put it in the basement where it's more humid it can't get it down low enough and I'm tired of screwing with them.

[jimmyk26]

^ Me too this has been a very informative thread, so I had to get in on the Bead action.

[kenstogie]

Just ordered some beads. I have HF beads in my humi's now so I will do a comparison for anyone who is interested.

I certainly would be.

Because this happens to me....


_____they can't get the humidity high enough (in the winter for me)and if I put it in the basement where it's more humid it can't get it down low enough(in the summer)______


For me though if I put my coolerdors in "body bag" type garbage bags that does solve it. Of course I'd rather not deal with it.

I will also say that the HF beads when I bought them were the best thing available. I have not tried Shilala's beads so I can't comment on them.

[Jack1000]

I certainly would be.

Because this happens to me....


_____they can't get the humidity high enough (in the winter for me)and if I put it in the basement where it's more humid it can't get it down low enough(in the summer)______


For me though if I put my coolerdors in "body bag" type garbage bags that does solve it. Of course I'd rather not deal with it.

Yeah-- I have a vinotemp, a large desktop and a avanti compressor based dorm fridge. I had to unplug the avanti, but the humidity is steady in it now that it is not running. Problem is that the cigars are over 76 sometimes--no beetles yet though.
The vinotemp is okay, but it has wild swings when my office gets hot. I'm hoping the shila beads help this one. The desktop cabinet has a cigar oasis in it that works pretty well, but those cigars get warm as well.

[CigarNut]

Scott can you suggest a way to keep the bags from splitting? The large bags that sit at the bottom of my vino are fine but the ones that get moved around from time to time in the desktops have some issues. Two or 3 of the small bags have split on me. I tried to melt the bags back together with a torch with varying degrees of success. Actually not much success, just a lot of fail.
If you think the packaging for your beads is getting worn and will leak, let me know and I will send you out a replacement and then you can return the worn out one (placing it in a ziplock or the like before shipping it :)). No charge for you except the postage to return the old one.

This applies whether you purchased the beads from either me or Scott.

[kelmac07]

If you think the packaging for your beads is getting worn and will leak, let me know and I will send you out a replacement and then you can return the worn out one (placing it in a ziplock or the like before shipping it :)). No charge for you except the postage to return the old one.

This applies whether you purchased the beads from either me or Scott.

+1 for that customer service!! :tu :tu

[stewshi]

yup as always great customer service wish all companies were this good

[Blak Smyth]

I just purchased 3 more 8oz bags!
These are hands down the easiest form of humidification I have found!
Great product!!!

[LigaPrivadaT84]

I've started using these since late Sept and was using Heartfelt beads for almost a decade prior.
So far been rock steady at 65% without any issues or maintenance.
:tu

[Savor the Stick]

I just purchased 3 more 8oz bags!



:r :lr:r :lr:r

[kaisersozei]

Zombifying this thread to ask a question & get opinions:

I've had 8 oz of Shilala beads in my glasstop for a long time. After resealing the humi last year, it's maintained 62% pretty solidly year round.

Haven't had a cigar from there in about 10 days, but when I passed by this morning I took a peek at the hygrometer and it read 67dg/50%. 50%??!?! The temp is correct, so I'm not thinking it's the batteries. I'll do a recalibration this weekend, meanwhile can anyone explain that significant of a drop in humidity? If the beads need recharging, will they gradually lose their moisture or can it be that precipitous?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[grateful1]

Aside from not knowing what the beads are....I'd say you may want to re-calibrate them.

[shilala]

Gerard, hygros can go flaky, too. I have one in my winador that's driving me nuts. I just put batteries in it and recalibrated it and it's still off by a mile. I'm going to throw it in the calibration bag again and see what it says (I use a bunch of 65% Boveda bags in a gallon ziplock to calibrate).
Being as your situation doesn't make sense, I'm just taking a wild shot. It wouldn't hurt to replace the battery if it's been in there more than a year.
Your humi could have split a seam or something, too.
You know what you're doing, so I won't bore you to death, I just wanted to point out that hygros can get goofy cause I'm going through that right now. :)

[kaisersozei]

Updating my situation:

I swapped out the hygrometer from my cooler with the one in the glasstop, and it still read 50%. So I took out the bottom layer of sticks in the humidor, placed a bowl of water in with the beads, put the top tray back in, and sealed her up. Over the past 10 days, the humidity has slowly climbed by about 1% per day so she's sitting right now at 70dg/67%. I may go a tad higher before returning all the cigars to their previous positions.

Not sure what caused the drop. I resealed this last year, and it had been holding steady for some time. Could be that my stepson, who spends a lot of time in that room, or one of his friends, have been poking around in the humidor, but I won't ever know that for sure.

Anyway, the problem seems to be fixing itself, so that's the important thing.

[jluck]

I figured I should update my humidor status since going beads.

Since I got beads shilala beads through Michael (CigarNut) Everytime I open my humidor its on 65% not even a 1% fluctuation. I can't believe how rock solid it stays. No more overpriced water and flower foam BS.:tu

[BHalbrooks]

Very dumb question. I really don't want to pan through 6 pages for an answer either.
What do you put this on? I mean, it doesn't seem like you could put the Distilled water in it, and just leave that on bare wood. Wouldn't that cause problems?

[bobarian]

Very dumb question. I really don't want to pan through 6 pages for an answer either.
What do you put this on? I mean, it doesn't seem like you could put the Distilled water in it, and just leave that on bare wood. Wouldn't that cause problems?

I have no idea what you are asking? Is this a reference to beads? Hydrating? :sh

[BHalbrooks]

Yea, I went to the website, and there was a pouch that comes in different sizes and weights. I'm not sure if you just put some water in it, and then just drop it off?

[JoeCool87TC]

Just thought I'd throw my experiences into the ring here. I'm a relative newbie, only been smoking cigars since October 2010. When I started purchasing stuff, I did my research and on the humidity-control side bought into the Shilala/HCM beads.

Since my first 75-count size desktop humidor, I've expanded into a smallish end-table humidor, and also constructed a DIY temperature-controlled Igloodor. Everything I've got uses Shilala/HCM beads. However, I confess that I do have active humidification in the end table because it was second hand and leaks a bit more than it should, and and I'm a lazy butt. One of these days I'll get some weather stripping and be done with it. :rolleyes:

I've always dealt with Mike (CigarNut) and he's a great guy; the product isn't so bad either (vast understatement, grin).

So far I've not had an RH blip that wasn't self inflicted or an hygrometer glitch. I do know for sure though, that if I ever grow past the 600 stick level I'm at now, you can be sure it'll be with HCM beads!

GREAT job, guys! Kudos for the science AND the great customer relations! My hat's off to you!

[jluck]

Yea, I went to the website, and there was a pouch that comes in different sizes and weights. I'm not sure if you just put some water in it, and then just drop it off?

Nothing to do or add. Just buy the beads put them in your humidor and enjoy steady RH bliss.

[CigarNut]

Yea, I went to the website, and there was a pouch that comes in different sizes and weights. I'm not sure if you just put some water in it, and then just drop it off?
You never add water directly to HCM beads. There are detailed instructions on the website and shipped with the beads that explain how to raise or lower the RH so I won't repeat them here. While it takes a litte time it is not too difficult.

The beads are shipped to you in a vacuum sealed bag at 65% RH. All you need to do is place them in your humidor, they can go anywhere in your humidor, most people place them on the bottom. It is OK if the beads touch your cigars.

[BHalbrooks]

Nothing to do or add. Just buy the beads put them in your humidor and enjoy steady RH bliss.

You never add water directly to HCM beads. There are detailed instructions on the website and shipped with the beads that explain how to raise or lower the RH so I won't repeat them here. While it takes a litte time it is not too difficult.

The beads are shipped to you in a vacuum sealed bag at 65% RH. All you need to do is place them in your humidor, they can go anywhere in your humidor, most people place them on the bottom. It is OK if the beads touch your cigars.

:gary
haha thanks. That's where I was confused.

[Bad Finger]

What is the reason for the specific size of the beads? To add surface area over what larger beads offer? Sorry, just had me curious.

[AECUSN]

A couple of questions:

1. When filling out the order form on the website, how long does it take to receive feedback to make the order?

2. Once the order is made, how long after payment is made is the product sent out?

3. Where is the product being shipped from? (i.e. how long to reach southern California?)

I am working on a very tight schedule, and trying to figure out the best time to order. I promise I am not trying to be an @$$. Basically, start to finish, how long does the complete process take? Thanks!

[bonjing]

Try Pm'ing CigarNut directly, he's the one that sells the beads now.

[CigarNut]

A couple of questions:

1. When filling out the order form on the website, how long does it take to receive feedback to make the order?

2. Once the order is made, how long after payment is made is the product sent out?

3. Where is the product being shipped from? (i.e. how long to reach southern California?)

I am working on a very tight schedule, and trying to figure out the best time to order. I promise I am not trying to be an @$$. Basically, start to finish, how long does the complete process take? Thanks!

1. I try to respond to orders as soon as I get them. If they come between 10pm-5am PDT there may be a few hours delay. My response is via email and the emails can be stuck in your Junk Mail folder.

2. The product is usually shipped the next business day after receipt of payment. Depends upon what time the payment was made (see #1).

3. Beaverton, Oregon. I ship USPS Flat Rate. Most packages reach their destination within 2-3 business days.

[AECUSN]

1. I try to respond to orders as soon as I get them. If they come between 10pm-5am PDT there may be a few hours delay. My response is via email and the emails can be stuck in your Junk Mail folder.

2. The product is usually shipped the next business day after receipt of payment. Depends upon what time the payment was made (see #1).

3. Beaverton, Oregon. I ship USPS Flat Rate. Most packages reach their destination within 2-3 business days.

Thank you for the extremely fast response! I look forward to doing business with you in the near future!

One more quick question. The two 2oz bags seem to be labled incorrectly, atleast the way I view them. It would seem to me that the stick bag would be skinnier, however the dimension for it are larger than the bag. Am I interpreting it correctly, if I want a slimmer bead bag? Thanks again!

[CigarNut]

The dimensions on the FAQ page were correct and there was a typo on the Products page. The dimensions are:

2 oz. bag -- Approximately 2.75" x 2.75" x .5"
2 oz. soft bead stick -- Approximately 6.0" x .75" x .5"

[AECUSN]

The dimensions on the FAQ page were correct and there was a typo on the Products page. The dimensions are:

2 oz. bag -- Approximately 2.75" x 2.75" x .5"
2 oz. soft bead stick -- Approximately 6.0" x .75" x .5"


Thanks again! You have been extremely helpful!:banger

[iaMkcK]

I just spent the better part of an hour and a half reading through this entire monster. I am getting a humidor built next week from Waxing Moon and am considering using Shilala's beads as opposed to HF due to the various praises sung on CA. My main question is..

Can I use these beads to actually season a box? In other words, since this box will be brand new [Oh, and btw... I live in a desert :-D], can I just dump the beads in the humi and forget about it for a week or two? Or will the beads drop in those 2 weeks while trying to reach equilibirum? I know people say that these beads keep it at a solid RH, but I realize they try to reach an equilibrium so that makes me kinda worried. Thanks for any advice!

[LostAbbott]

No season, as normal with water or a bovada pack.
Posted via Mobile Device

[iaMkcK]

I see. Well, I only got 2 65%ers.. Might have to grab 6 more for this beast of a humi if I choose to go the route of seasoning with Boveda.

[LostAbbott]

No you need to get the boveda seasoning pack. I think it is 85% or something... really a shot glass of distilled water works great.
Posted via Mobile Device