Quick question regarding beads

[PigFish]

Desiccant use for cigars has a lineage to the museum micro-climate preservation "industry." In that matter desiccants are used in "sealed" cases with few to zero air exchanges. For this, desiccants are the perfect product.

We have adapted these products for our use. The reason I have gone on so much to explain their function is that in discussing their use with cigar enthusiasts I have found wide spread myth and misunderstanding with them as products. Suppliers don't work to dispel the myths! This is because if you (one) casts upon them magical powers, specifically meaning that they work any way 'you' think that they work, you will buy more of them. If they do everything... everyone will need them, by simple definition!

They have a use and they are useful. If they were all that was needed, a data logger would prove it. Frankly, everyone offering climate "controlled" systems would be out of business. That would be okay with me as it would make cigar "husbandry" much easier. This is not the case.

You guys that have followed up have a good understanding of the products. Bravo!

On the PG... I am the wrong guy to ask. Solutions of water and other substances changes the behavior of pure water. This is known. I think with the amount of myth in the cigar industry, and without testing products myself, I find it difficult to believe it is another "wonderkind" product.

Furthermore, I have to believe that there is some volatility to the PG, but I don't really know. The PG, if volatile is then floating around with the air around your cigars, and then in your cigars. I am extrapolating and I am quite possibly wrong, but I am not going to take the chance.

Thanks as always for the complements. Thanks for following the thread and helping to make it easier to understand.

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[Guest Robo]

I have to believe that there is some volatility to the PG

Well, it says right on the bottle: "colourless, tasteless, nearly odourless". Which leads me to believe that it's use might affect the odour of cigars slightly, but not the taste. I'm OK with that if that's the case. The problem is I don't know a better alternative. As you've stated, using pure H2O tends to overhumidify.

[White]

Well, it says right on the bottle: "colourless, tasteless, nearly odourless". Which leads me to believe that it's use might affect the odour of cigars slightly, but not the taste. I'm OK with that if that's the case. The problem is I don't know a better alternative. As you've stated, using pure H2O tends to overhumidify.

I've never tasted a difference with the cigars in my humidor using only the PG xikar gels. I do think they may have a negative effect if used to recharge beads though, no evidence or backing, just a thought.

I had a pure H2O humidifier in with the gel in my new one and it never over humidified.

[PigFish]

I've never tasted a difference with the cigars in my humidor using only the PG xikar gels. I do think they may have a negative effect if used to recharge beads though, no evidence or backing, just a thought.

I had a pure H2O humidifier in with the gel in my new one and it never over humidified.

They would likely pollute the desiccant. If they are stable, once lodged in the pathways of the desiccant you might very will render it inert as you might not be able to "boil it out" of the pathways.

There are different ways to supply water vapor. It is a systems ability to adjust to ErH that makes a buffer a buffer. Passive systems that supply water can be one or the other, but not both. It is not logical that a system will supply water vapor at a vapor pressure below that of that of water, like water, and be bidirectional at a vapor pressure under that of 100%. Water is bidirectional at 100 rH, but a net loser of water at any rH under 100%

This is why I use a logic controller and a humidifier as well as a dehumidifier. One choses a comfort range for ones cigars, say 5 rH and your humidor humidifies when too dry and dehumidifies if too wet.

Like the rest of you I use a buffer as a part of my systems but I activate them rather than use them in a passive form and operate them in the air circulation system when the humidor is in the comfort range. The desiccant pack is under power when any of the humidor systems are active and they therefore are conditioned with the cigars by the aforementioned systems.

I use a buffer in some systems that I call Stage 1 humidification/dehumidification. This means that the logic controller sees the desiccant silo as an individual unit, and powers it on with a threashold under that of the humidifier. Sometimes this allows the system to come back to equilibrium prior to calling for new water from the humidifier. It is a matter of programming, pros and cons, etc. There are many ways to program a refrigerated humidor.

I am losing interest in the Stage 1 idea, in favor of a timed and/or linked powered system. I am always testing something to see if I can make a humidor work better.

Cheers. -Piggy