Anyone tried Aqua Gems?

[LostAbbott]

http://www.aqua-gems.com/

I was at the fabric store a few weeks ago trying to get some floral foam to replace the stuff that started to mold in my humi when I saw these. I figured they were exactly the same stuff that all the other bead manufactures use and you can get a pack that makes 1gallon for $5. I made enough to fill up my humidifier box and added some more in a little cup for the other side. So far I have had them in there for about two weeks now and they are keeping my box at a consistent 70% humidity as read on my digital humidifier. I have a bally IV glass top with about 70 cigars in it some still in celo and some naked.

What do you guys think? Anyone else tried them? Could be a really good option especially if they are the same stuff as found in more expensive humi beads.

[icehog3]

How did you decide they were "the same stuff that all the other bead manufactures use"?

Also, from their website:

Just add water to rehydrate the AquaGems. Over weeks, liquid beads will slowly lose water through evaporation and as your growing plants or fresh-cut flowers drink the water. This rehydration process can be repeated many times.

Many times? My beads have lasted for years and years, certainly this implies that the aqua-gems will not.

Also can't see anywhere on the site a set humidity level. You say the gems have kept your humidor at 70%...any idea why?

My opinion? I am not going to risk thousands (or hundreds, depending on your collection) of dollars worth of cigars to save $20 on my humidification source....but hey, that's me. :2

[Salvelinus]

These look so fun I might just get rid of my cigars and fill my humi with multiple colors :D

I'd like to hear how your experiment goes, but until then I keep my beads.

[SilverFox]

Sounds to me like this would not be a wise usage for cigars. My first thought is simple, there is no humidity control associated with these Aqua Gems. They simply are an absorbing agent that effectively dries up over time.

You mentioned that you replaced the floral foam due to mold...........did you use straight water on the foam or did you use a mixture of water and propylene glycol? The reason I ask is that by itself floral foam is not intended nor will it act as a humidity stabilizing component which is what you want in your humidor.

The use of propylene glycol has a twofold benefit.

Firstly, the formation of mold as well as bacteria is actively prevented. Secondly, propylene glycol forms a thin layer on the surface of the humidifier, which absorbs humidity at humidity levels of over 70% and which emits humidity at humidity levels below 70%. In this way, the humidifier is self-adjusting and will automatically stabilize the humidity level at an optimum level of approximately 70%.

Now if you were looking to replace your humidification unit I can understand looking for alternatives, however, I would think your main concern would be to find something that is an active humidifier. By active I mean something that will release moisture when the content in your humidor is below a set point (whatever percentage you like but between 60% and 70% and my preference would be closer to the 60% range) and would absorb moisture if the RH% in your box went above the set point.

There are a multitude of options out there.

foam and propylene glycol.
A half dozen if not more bead suppliers (heartfelt, cigarmony, HCM beads, cheaphumidors, etc etc)
Active digital units like Cigar Oasis, Hydra
Humipacks like Boveda

While your RH is constant after 2 weeks I would argue that it is more a matter of chance than a good substitute humidification system. It sounds to me like it would take much more monitoring and you would subject your cigars to fluctuations in RH, that may be ok for you but I am of the opinion that cigars like wine do not like change and that an environment that is not constant puts them at risk.

For myself I am with Tom on this one, they simply are not designed for the purpose and therefore it is not something I would do or recommend.

[LostAbbott]

icehog:
Well I am pretty sure that most of the guys who supply beads do not actually make them, as they probably buy the beads from dow, basf or some other large firm who produces these types of polymers or who holds the patents. Also any of these products release and absorb moisture. I imagine that they do it at varying rates, foam being the lowest and beads having varying degrees closer to what a humidor needs. Also with the amount of beads I got they could die after two uses and I would still have 4years wort of beads.

salve: I got the clear beads figuring that maybe the colored ones might have something more that I don't want in my cigars.

Might be a mistake but I figured they would be an upgrade from foam and as I just found this forum and read about the puckifier, and RH beads. These things look really similar and I could throw some dry beads in there to suck up moisture, I am also thinking I can tweak the humidity by adding or subtracting beads.

[icehog3]

Well, let us know how if goes in the longer term, should be interesting. I wish you luck...for me, I will stick to what is tried and true for hundreds of us.

[LostAbbott]

I just used distilled water in the foam and aqua gem beads. I look at the hygrometer once or twice a day and the humidity has been solid at 70% even with temp changes of about 5 degrees up or down from 70%.

[LostAbbott]

How often do people typically recharge actual cigar beads? Or do they even need it? Can you tell I am new yet?

[icehog3]

How often do people typically recharge actual cigar beads? Or do they even need it? Can you tell I am new yet?

In my climate (Chicago), more often when during the winter when forced air furnaces are running. Might have to add water here once every 4-6 weeks in the summer, and maybe every 2-4 weeks in the winter...but the climate you live in can have a great effect on how often the beads need distilled water.

[massphatness]

Sounds to me like this would not be a wise usage for cigars. My first thought is simple, there is no humidity control associated with these Aqua Gems. They simply are an absorbing agent that effectively dries up over time.

You mentioned that you replaced the floral foam due to mold...........did you use straight water on the foam or did you use a mixture of water and propylene glycol? The reason I ask is that by itself floral foam is not intended nor will it act as a humidity stabilizing component which is what you want in your humidor.

The use of propylene glycol has a twofold benefit.

Firstly, the formation of mold as well as bacteria is actively prevented. Secondly, propylene glycol forms a thin layer on the surface of the humidifier, which absorbs humidity at humidity levels of over 70% and which emits humidity at humidity levels below 70%. In this way, the humidifier is self-adjusting and will automatically stabilize the humidity level at an optimum level of approximately 70%.

Now if you were looking to replace your humidification unit I can understand looking for alternatives, however, I would think your main concern would be to find something that is an active humidifier. By active I mean something that will release moisture when the content in your humidor is below a set point (whatever percentage you like but between 60% and 70% and my preference would be closer to the 60% range) and would absorb moisture if the RH% in your box went above the set point.

There are a multitude of options out there.

foam and propylene glycol.
A half dozen if not more bead suppliers (heartfelt, cigarmony, HCM beads, cheaphumidors, etc etc)
Active digital units like Cigar Oasis, Hydra
Humipacks like Boveda

While your RH is constant after 2 weeks I would argue that it is more a matter of chance than a good substitute humidification system. It sounds to me like it would take much more monitoring and you would subject your cigars to fluctuations in RH, that may be ok for you but I am of the opinion that cigars like wine do not like change and that an environment that is not constant puts them at risk.

For myself I am with Tom on this one, they simply are not designed for the purpose and therefore it is not something I would do or recommend.

and now i can die happy :D

/threadjack

[pnoon]

How often do people typically recharge actual cigar beads? Or do they even need it? Can you tell I am new yet?

Are you the owner, proprietor, or an employee of Aqua Gems?

[bobarian]

Floral foam + water= Damp sponge. You are not regulating humudity, you are culturing mold. By changing to these "beads" you simply changing the method of delivering moisture. Most of us prefer a source that will absorb as well as release moisture as needed. I am not willing to risk my collection on such a foolhardy attempt to save a few dollars. My Heartfelt beads have kept my Rh steady at 62-65% for the last 3 years and I find them to be excellent investment.

[LostAbbott]

Are you the owner, proprietor, or an employee of Aqua Gems?

uh. no

[pnoon]

uh. no

uh. thanks.

[LostAbbott]

Floral foam + water= Damp sponge. You are not regulating humudity, you are culturing mold. By changing to these "beads" you simply changing the method of delivering moisture. Most of us prefer a source that will absorb as well as release moisture as needed. I am not willing to risk my collection on such a foolhardy attempt to save a few dollars. My Heartfelt beads have kept my Rh steady at 62-65% for the last 3 years and I find them to be excellent investment.

Well what I am trying to get at is I am not sure these are not the same product as what you might find in a cigar specific application just marketed differently, so yes they are a small risk(only if I am not paying attention to my hygrometer), but also an upgrade over floral foam which I suspect most people who have small home humidors use.

[pnoon]

Well what I am trying to get at is I am not sure these are not the same product as what you might find in a cigar specific application just marketed differently, so yes they are a small risk(only if I am not paying attention to my hygrometer), but also an upgrade over floral foam which I suspect most people who have small home humidors use.

That would be an erroneous assumption. At least for those here at CA who take this hobby/obsession seriously.

If you are a cigar smoker, you should head on over to the New Inmate forum and introduce yourself.

[neoflex]

That would be an erroneous assumption. At least for those here at CA who take this hobby/obsession seriously.

If you are a cigar smoker, you should head on over to the New Inmate forum and introduce yourself.

What he said. I would say most of us here use beads but beads that will regulate humidity by not only adding moisture into our humidors but also absorbing moisture if it reaches levels above what the beads are set for unlike what your talking about which is just adding moisture and not absorbing it. You have just replaced a wet sponge with wet gel IMHO.

[icehog3]

so yes they are a small risk(only if I am not paying attention to my hygrometer),

I disagree that the risk is "small", but I also am not even willing to take a small risk with hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of cigars. :2

[bobarian]

I dont agree that you have "upgraded" All you are doing is storing water in a different container. Kind of like using a glass instead of a plastic cup, water tastes the same either way. Floral sponge with propylene glycol would be an upgrade as you would have mold prevention and absorb moisture above 70%.

[T.G]

Well what I am trying to get at is I am not sure these are not the same product as what you might find in a cigar specific application just marketed differently, so yes they are a small risk(only if I am not paying attention to my hygrometer), but also an upgrade over floral foam which I suspect most people who have small home humidors use.

This thread has shades of Kitty Litter vs Beads written all over it...

There are a few different ways to make and post-treat super-absorbent gel polymers, all of which will result in slightly different behaviors, only some of which will be suitable for cigar storage. Just because they are a squishy water absorbent gel thingie, doesn't mean that they will work the same as the squishy water absorbent gel thingies packed into Drymystat tubes or jars of Humi-Care gel.

Without knowing the chemical makeup of these aqua gems, it's really just a guess if they might or might not work as you want them to.

[LostAbbott]

Your right T.G I am guessing/hoping. People use kitty litter? That sounds a little gross.

Seeing as how some have commented that my risk is larger than I think. What kind of risk am I looking at going with these instead of cigar specific beads?

[T.G]

Your right T.G I am guessing/hoping. People use kitty litter? That sounds a little gross.

Seeing as how some have commented that my risk is larger than I think. What kind of risk am I looking at going with these instead of cigar specific beads?

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means...

You're misusing or misunderstanding what "beads" are. "Beads", in the cigar humidification sense are a solid, rigid, often silica based, humidity control medium that comes in the shape of tiny beads (1/16" diameter or so) that functions as a 2-way humidity control substance - it both releases and absorbs moisture to maintain a certain pre-set humidity level.

Heartfelt (http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/) is one well established supplier of trusted bead based humidity control products.

Comparing the Aqua Gems to beads is really an apples to oranges comparison.

Aqua-Gems are a super-absorbent polymer gel, not a bead, they just happen to come in a spherical shape. What you should be comparing the Aqua Gems to is other super-absorbent polymer humidification gels found in products such as Drymistat tubes (http://www.drymistat.com/techn.html) and Humi-Care Crystal Gel jars (http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=M-HMC04&kc=CII210). Gel humidifiers do work, and can maintain a set humidity, but they are less than ideal for climates where the humidity goes above their "set point" as they are kind of sluggish to absorb humidity out of the air and lower the RH in a humidor. Beads react much quicker to changes and seem to work about equally well/quickly for both raising and lowering humidity.

Now, as for your risk... *shrug* I dunno. Assuming that the aqua gems are in fact non-toxic as claimed, which they probably are, your max risk is the value of the cigars you are humidifying plus the value of the humidor, if something happens that were to contaminate the humidor and make it unusable.

As for the kitty litter, there are some unscented litter "pearls" that are pretty much just silica and because of this and their nature to absorb moisture in the form of cat urine and then slowly release the water to evaporation, there are some who feel that KL is equal to, if not completely identical to, it's cigar bead counterpart and for the cost of about $10 for 7 lbs they are getting exactly the same thing as the cigar beads which are about $30 a pound.

One can spend quite a lot of money on cigars, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Why **** around with the unknown and put your whole collection and humidor at risk, just to try and try to save a few dollars, and in this case, aqua gems versus humi-care gel, it really is only a few bucks you are going to save at the most.

[LostAbbott]

Cool thanks for all the help and opinions guys. Clearly I need to go spend some time in the newbie room and get my **** figured out a little better.

[SvilleKid]

Cool thanks for all the help and opinions guys. Clearly I need to go spend some time in the newbie room and get my **** figured out a little better.

Hey, you're cool here. Use the newbie room to introduce yourself, spend some time reading, find the newbie trade thread and get in that line.

I think, more than anyone, T.G. hit it on the head in that the Aqua beads are more like the drymist type medium than any thing else discussed. I use a combination of drymist sticks for moisture release, plus 65% Heartfelt beads for humidity control. I will note that the medium in my drymist sticks will evaporate at differing rates, depending on the humidity level in my humidors. Sometimes I go several months without having to re-hydrate the sticks, sometimes it's two weeks. Depends on room humidity, temp and how often I open the humidors. I would suspect the main difference between the medium in the drymist and that of Aqua beads is that Aqua beads may not have any added item like the polyglycol to regulate the evaporation rate. If not, you could run a higher risk of OVER hydrating your sticks than you would if you had a humidity regulation system like Heartfelt beads. And at 70%, you are already pushing the upper threshold of where you want to be. Much higher, and you might start noticing splits, plugging and other problems related to too much humidity.

I would be interested is hearing back on these beads dehydration rate as you go into the future, assuming you stay with their use. It would be interesting to see how they fare against the gel systems marketed specifically for cigars.

[T.G]

No problem bro.

Honestly, I wouldn't get too hung up on trying to find a substitute for the gel, as once you get a bit further down the road, you might realize that you really would prefer your cigars stored at 60-65%RH, which, from my experience, are not reliably obtainable with gel (gel tends to stabilize at a higher humidity), but easily reliably obtainable with beads.

But if you don't, and you want to be swimming in gel crystals, LMK, I'll give you a few URLs for suppliers of good product that is known to work as we desire it to, and $10 will get you about 3oz dry, which will blow up to fill the better part of a 5gal bucket.

[CigarNut]

...Seeing as how some have commented that my risk is larger than I think. What kind of risk am I looking at going with these instead of cigar specific beads?

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means...

You're misusing or misunderstanding what "beads" are. "Beads", in the cigar humidification sense are a solid, rigid, often silica based, humidity control medium that comes in the shape of tiny beads (1/16" diameter or so) that functions as a 2-way humidity control substance - it both releases and absorbs moisture to maintain a certain pre-set humidity level.
...HCM Beads are different from both the Aqua Gems and Heartfelt beads. They are much smaller (about .5 to 1mm in diameter) and are made of clay (rather than a polymer); they absorb as well as release humidity (as does Heartfelt).

The HCM beads can be set to any desired RH. While I am certainly biased toward the HCM beads (Shilala's Beads), both products are good and will do the job for you.

The risk you are taking with your cigars getting moldy by using Aqua Gems is IMHO too great.

[itzfrank]

HCM Beads are different from both the Aqua Gems and Heartfelt beads. They are much smaller (about .5 to 1mm in diameter) and are made of clay (rather than a polymer); they absorb as well as release humidity (as does Heartfelt).

The HCM beads can be set to any desired RH. While I am certainly biased toward the HCM beads (Shilala's Beads), both products are good and will do the job for you.

The risk you are taking with your cigars getting moldy by using Aqua Gems is IMHO too great.

In the scheme of things, spending the extra dough on a tested humidity device is just a better idea to know you're cigars are going to be safe. Why spend thousands on cigars only to save 15$ on humidity? At least you asked first :tu

[dwoodward]

HCM Beads are different from both the Aqua Gems and Heartfelt beads. They are much smaller (about .5 to 1mm in diameter) and are made of clay (rather than a polymer); they absorb as well as release humidity (as does Heartfelt).

The HCM beads can be set to any desired RH. While I am certainly biased toward the HCM beads (Shilala's Beads), both products are good and will do the job for you.

The risk you are taking with your cigars getting moldy by using Aqua Gems is IMHO too great.

I use HCM beads as well, my father's humidor uses a Humi-Care jar. His humidity fluctuates anywhere from 69-72 RH... My humidity is rock solid at 65, which is what my beads are set for. Even so, he does not see the advantage, his philosophy is more relaxed about cigars, where as mine, I want everything to be perfect. It all comes down to preference and how anal retentive you get about it.

I have never used Heartfelt beads so I cannot comment, but the HCM beads I got from www.shilalasbeads.com have worked perfectly for me. I plan to purchase some more soon for a 2nd Humidor I just picked up for storing Flavor Infused cigars.

The way I see it, I have about 200 cigars worth hundreds of dollars in cash. Spending 20-30 dollars on humidification that is proven time and time again is a small price to pay. Why risk your cigars with an experiment that will only save you a few bucks.

[T.G]

HCM Beads are different from both the Aqua Gems and Heartfelt beads. They are much smaller (about .5 to 1mm in diameter) and are made of clay (rather than a polymer); they absorb as well as release humidity (as does Heartfelt).

The HCM beads can be set to any desired RH. While I am certainly biased toward the HCM beads (Shilala's Beads), both products are good and will do the job for you.

The risk you are taking with your cigars getting moldy by using Aqua Gems is IMHO too great.

That's why I said "often silica based" - because I know HCM beads are the exception, but it was getting too wordy to put that in there. Plus, you eventually chimining in with a sales pitch is basically a given on these threads. ;)

BTW, HF beads aren't polymers, the gel is a polymer product.

[CigarNut]

That's why I said "often silica based" - because I know HCM beads are the exception, but it was getting too wordy to put that in there. Plus, you eventually chimining in with a sales pitch is basically a given on these threads. ;)

BTW, HF beads aren't polymers, the gel is a polymer product.
I try very hard NOT to do the sales pitches and I think I am doing alright. I do try to state the facts and let people know that there is an alternative. You are the only one complaining...

As far as I know the Silica products use a polymer coating to set the RH.

[T.G]

I try very hard NOT to do the sales pitches and I think I am doing alright. I do try to state the facts and let people know that there is an alternative. You are the only one complaining...

As far as I know the Silica products use a polymer coating to set the RH.

I'm not complaining - the implication there was that it was too wordy for me to explain the differences of a singular product, but knew you would fly in and do it for me.

See, it's not about you. It's about me being lazy and not wanting to type up a big technical dissertation on how your product is different.

[LostAbbott]

So people use both gel and silica or clay beads? Being that the gel provided the humidity while the "beads" keep it set?

[Mugen910]

Reminds me that I need to stop by Petsmart for more "Beads"

[T.G]

So people use both gel and silica or clay beads? Being that the gel provided the humidity while the "beads" keep it set?

Some do. The HCM (clay) beads work a bit differently than the silica beads, and I seem to recall Scott (Shilala) saying at some point that it's not a good idea to mix his beads with gel.

I've also seen HF beads placed into humidors where the primary source of humidification is an active humidifier - cigar oasis, hydra, humi-care electronic, habitat monitor, moist-n-aire, avallo accumonitor, Bob Stabell's set-n-forget, etc... Why? Simple, active humidifiers are very good at raising humidity, but I have yet to see one which incorporates a dehydrator to lower it when necessary.

Look, here's the deal with humidification: there is NO absolute single definitive right way/product, but there are a lot of WRONG ways/products.

There are a lot of known good products out there that can be trusted, most with some unique characteristics and properties since they all work differently. Certain products might work better for one person who lives in a certain climate zone while not working well at all for someone else, with a different humidor, in a different climate zone.

[LostAbbott]

Well I am in Seattle, which is a fairly wet and cool climate. I currently have a digital hygrometer and am using the gel thingies. For the size of my humi it looks like 2-4 oz of Shilala beads would do the trick and it would be cool if I can use just those.

Unfortunately his site does not answer questions I have. Do I need to add water to his beads? How long before they need a recharge? Should I have a separate humidification element with them? I would have e-mailed him on his site but I think others might have this question as well.

Reading around here it does sound like 70% is too high and I should try and get it down to 65%. I also like the idea of getting something in there that I can just kind of forget about and not worry if it is working or not.

[SilverFox]

Search is your friend.

But try here, there is a link to a doc that answers all the HCM questions

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28378&highlight=beads

[CigarNut]

...it looks like 2-4 oz of Shilala beads would do the trick and it would be cool if I can use just those.

Unfortunately his site does not answer questions I have. Do I need to add water to his beads? How long before they need a recharge? Should I have a separate humidification element with them? I would have e-mailed him on his site but I think others might have this question as well. I thought that the FAQ on my website answered this -- I will update the FAQ to make sure all the information is there -- you do not add water to HCM beads. They are preset to a desired RH (65%). There are instructions for rasing or lowering the preset RH should the need arise. You raise the RH by putting the beads in a sealed enclosure (with a hygrometer) and a sponge that has been dampened with distilled water. You raise the RH by putting the beads in a refrigerator for a short period of time and then moving the beads quickly to a sealed enclosure (with a hygrometer) while they readjust to the higher temperature. In both cases (raising or lowering RH) repeat as needed until you are at the desired RH.

If you have any questions please feel free to post here or to contact me directly.

[aich75013]

The document posted above should answer most of your questions.
As far as how often do you need to recharge. That will depend greatly on your humidor. If you have a leaky humidor, you may need to recharge more often. That goes for any of the methods mentioned.
I have used the HCM (Shilala) beads in my Vinotemp for over a year and have only had to recharge once. That was during the winter months, and it had only dropped a few percentage points. Opening the Humi a bunch doesn't help either.

[dwoodward]

Well I am in Seattle, which is a fairly wet and cool climate. I currently have a digital hygrometer and am using the gel thingies. For the size of my humi it looks like 2-4 oz of Shilala beads would do the trick and it would be cool if I can use just those.

Unfortunately his site does not answer questions I have. Do I need to add water to his beads? How long before they need a recharge? Should I have a separate humidification element with them? I would have e-mailed him on his site but I think others might have this question as well.

Reading around here it does sound like 70% is too high and I should try and get it down to 65%. I also like the idea of getting something in there that I can just kind of forget about and not worry if it is working or not.

The FAQ answers all of those questions... Read it, it will help answer any question you might have.

As for the amount of beads, don't guess how much you need, use the tool on the website. I have an 8oz bag in mine, while the tool recommended 3.5oz. My new humidor I will be ordering 2oz while the tool suggests 1oz. It never hurts to go extra, infact I think it is recommended.

GL! :tu

[SvilleKid]

Reminds me that I need to stop by Petsmart for more "Beads"

Darn. Now I have to wash my screen off and get another Pepsi!! :r:r:r:D:D

[taltos]

Reminds me that I need to stop by Petsmart for more "Beads"Stop by tomorrow and I can give you some used ones.:D

[Mr B]

Reminds me that I need to stop by Petsmart for more "Beads"

:r:r:r

Thanks

[LostAbbott]

Ok so I thought I would update you guys. The Aqua Gems are gone and have been for about a month or so now. I have two long and one short tubes of heartfelt beads.

I am pretty positive that the Aqua Gems are the same stuff as the humicare gel that they sell at CI and other places, but it is clear after using the HR beads that they are much better, and dropped my humidity down to 65%

Unfortunately my 100ct humidor is now full and for some reason I keep buying more cigars. Time to think about a coolidor.

[icehog3]

Thanks for the update...glad you found the beads to your liking. :tu

[bobarian]

He has seen the light. :)

[n3uka]

I have been using absorbent polymers in my Cigar Oasis II for a couple years now. I was sick of the foam and was recommended to switch to the sap crystals. Combined with several sleeves of Shilala's beads I haven't had a single problem keeping rh at 60%. Your results may vary ;)

[LostAbbott]

Yeah I now think that the gel is good if you want 70% and don't mind keeping a very close eye on your collection but I think the beads will be better for a ignore yet expect perfect burn every time.

Unfortunately I did just see a 5 Vegas gold just split. I am not sure what did it though. I had 10 Carlos Torano Noventas torpedoes split and pop but I feel that was because of their tight wrap but I an not sure. I sent the best ones out for trade so I only have a few left that are split on the head or body. The 5 Vegas is split on the foot and has always been in the celo. I also had a RP OWS that had poor burn and pathetic smoke. Any ideas? Keep in mind I have about 90 other cigars in there all in celo that are perfectly happy looking. And the hydro reads 69f 66%.

[bobarian]

It can take up to a month for to lower the Rh inside a cigar. The Rh is fine, just give those smoke a bit longer or you can drybox them if you want to smoke right away. Just put them in an empty box for a day or two and that should help the burn. Also, some wrappers are just thinner than others and will tend to crack no matter what you do. If the split is very bad you can get some liquid pectin at the grocery store near where you find canning supplies. :2

[T.G]

Ok so I thought I would update you guys. The Aqua Gems are gone and have been for about a month or so now. I have two long and one short tubes of heartfelt beads.

I am pretty positive that the Aqua Gems are the same stuff as the humicare gel that they sell at CI and other places, but it is clear after using the HR beads that they are much better, and dropped my humidity down to 65%

Unfortunately my 100ct humidor is now full and for some reason I keep buying more cigars. Time to think about a coolidor.

There are a few different types of super-absorbent gel, differing mainly by chemical formula (& properties) and I'm skeptical that the Aqua Gems and Humi-Care, et. al. are the same, although it's almost certain that they are similar.

Just for shits and giggles, this thread had inspired me to go find the 99-cent package of dehydrated water marbles that I've had lying in a drawer for years and, hydrate some of them. They were running 85%RH-ish in one of the el cheapo 20-count logo humidors from CI, whereas a jar of humicare would hover in that same humidor at around 65-67%RH. I will say though, that the floral gel marbles I tested are not the same brand as Aqua gems, so, mileage may vary.


Yeah I now think that the gel is good if you want 70% and don't mind keeping a very close eye on your collection but I think the beads will be better for a ignore yet expect perfect burn every time.

Unfortunately I did just see a 5 Vegas gold just split. I am not sure what did it though. I had 10 Carlos Torano Noventas torpedoes split and pop but I feel that was because of their tight wrap but I an not sure. I sent the best ones out for trade so I only have a few left that are split on the head or body. The 5 Vegas is split on the foot and has always been in the celo. I also had a RP OWS that had poor burn and pathetic smoke. Any ideas? Keep in mind I have about 90 other cigars in there all in celo that are perfectly happy looking. And the hydro reads 69f 66%.


I've been using a humicare jar for about 5-6 years in one of my coolers. Every time I've tossed a hygrometer in there, it is always 65%-66%RH.

Are these cigars splitting when you smoke them or splitting in the humidor?

If they are splitting in the humidor, it's the leaves swelling from the humidity. When you see a cigar with only the foot swollen and possibly some fine wrapper is cracks around the foot, that's usually an indicator of over-humidification. Sometimes the entire cigar will swell up, and, it's not always due to a problem in storage, sometimes they just do absorb moisture and swell. Years ago, a friend of mine had an entire box of Perdomo cigars that all of the cigars swelled up enough that a number of them actually tore/broke their bands. There was nothing wrong with the storage or them either and they smoked fine, just the whole cigar swelled.

If they are splitting while smoking, this could be any number of factors, cigar moisture, ambient humidity, temperature, how fast you are smoking, etc.

[dwoodward]

I've been using a humicare jar for about 5-6 years in one of my coolers. Every time I've tossed a hygrometer in there, it is always 65%-66%RH.


Odd that yours hovers so low. Both of my fathers humidors are solid at 71% with the humicare jars. He has had one for a couple months, and the other for a couple weeks, both I seasoned for at least a week with boveda seasoning packs. Maybe I over-seasoned? lol :D

[LostAbbott]

I am not having splitting during smoking just the one 5 Vegas and the Noventas(which have really thin wrappers) in the humidor. I just played tetris and all of my other smokes are happy so I think it was just a fluke with those specific cigars.

[clintgeek]

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means...

Inconceivable!!!

[bobarian]

Inconceivable!!!

Thank you for your contribution to this thread. Your insight has been most useful. :rolleyes:

Great review.

[icehog3]

Thank you for your contribution to this thread. Your insight has been most useful. :rolleyes:

Great review.

It was a line from the same movie (Princess Bride), Bob. ;)

[T.G]

Odd that yours hovers so low. Both of my fathers humidors are solid at 71% with the humicare jars. He has had one for a couple months, and the other for a couple weeks, both I seasoned for at least a week with boveda seasoning packs. Maybe I over-seasoned? lol :D


Could be any number of reasons: ambient humidity, temperature, volume of space being humidified vs. amount of gel being used, moisture levels of the cigars (if his cigars are fresh from a vendor they could be the cause), formula change in the gel in the last 5 years, wood of the humidor retaining moisture, age of gel affecting performance, etc...