Yeah I knew that. Whatabout those humidifiers that come with humidors? Are they OK? Or are they junk like most analog hygrometers that come with humi's are?
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The floral foam pucks/bricks? They're ok if you use PG solution in them, but they tend to go moldy and they're not the greatest long term. Most here prefer beads whether they be silica based like Heartfelt or HCM's like Shilila Beads. Larger humidors generally tend to do better with active humidification systems like the Set and Forget from Aristrocrat or the Avallo Accumulator. It really depends on your needs, space and budget.
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The foam humdifiers will give off moisture, but won't absorb it is your humidity is too high. In my humble opinion, they are junk. I throw them away and add beads immediately.
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I agree unless you're using 50/50 or PG Solution as that is formulated to normalise at 70%RH. Of course I also prefer my cigars at 70% whereas I know most here prefer 65%. l used foam in my desktop for the first year or so without problems but then switched to beads because I heard they were much less maintanence (true). Now of course I use the Set & Forget that shipped with my Aristocrat and occasionally put in some HCM beads to scrub humidity if I notice it's spiking over 70 and not dropping. Typically that's never an issue but we'll see what happens this summer when the temps start to rise a little as it will be my summer with the Aristocrat and it's not a THC model. I don't really anticipate too much trouble since Vancouver generally doesn't get too hot.
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What's the easiest most idiot proof way to add beads? Is it one of these?

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I assume with the beads jars you just open up your humidor, put the jar in and you're all good?
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Most beads are contained in tubes or bags rather than jars. You can check the websites for more details: http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/ or http://www.hcmcigarbeads.com/
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Can't see you pic, most use beads from CigarNut (shilala beads) or Heartfelt.

With the Heartfelt, select the RH you prefer, wet about 60% of the beads so they are opaque, then see if it stabilizes your humidor to where you want it. f the RH is low, wet more of the beads....if high, dry them out.
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I had used this pic here. I know these beads are sold in Kitchener, Ontario (where I will be moving in October) at the Walper Tobacco Shop since they have a website.

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Are these any good? As far as I know there are no Canadian places that sell the Heartfelt beads.
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Don't know anything about those, sorry. It looks like gel (according to the label), and not humidity beads, though.

Heartfelt beads are available online at Heartfeltindustries.com, and shilala beads are available here through member CigarNut (Michael) at shilalasbeads.com
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Here's a little video on them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhWfg3rEtfM

They look idiot proof enough for me to use as a newb, but I just dunno how well and reliably they'd work as they aren't a big name brand.

Do Heartfelt ship to Canada?

*Sigh* If only I could easily find the good quality accessories here in Canada so I wouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for shipping and all that crap.

The lack of and the expensiveness of accessories here in Canada is really dampering my "purchasing my 1st humidor experience" lol. If I could find the good stuff here, I'd buy it, and my 1st humidor in an instant lol.
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You can get beads (Heartfelt or HCM) shipped to Canada.

The gel in your picture is just OK -- it does not do a great job of regulating RH. It is designed to release moisture slowly and does not absorb the way that beads do.
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Michael is being diplomatic because he is a gentleman like that. I will say that the gel is a bad idea. :-)
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Yeah I looked. But how are they in terms of shipping charges??? Do they tack on ridiculous duties and stuff too?
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The vendors don't tack on duties. Governments do.
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Very true.

*Ponders what to do*
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I use USPS to ship to Canada. A small box (holds a little over a pound) costs about $16 to ship to Canada. The next size box costs about $32 (holds about 10lbs).
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So if I buy the Heartfelt beads or the shilalas beads would I just open up my humi and place them in my humidor as soon as I get them in the mail and that's it? Or do I season the humidor first?

I don't have anything yet and will presumably be ordering my humi from one place and the Heartfelt beads from their website. I'm just a little intimidatied and confused as to what all to be done first or when etc.

I apologize again for if I sound really basic and slow when it comes to this stuff lol. See I'm used to just going into a cigar shop, buying a single stick and smoking it a few minutes later. The fact that so many websites or people suggest so many different seasoning methods (and try to argue about other ones) doesn't help.

*Rolls eyes*

Anywho as for a hygrometer I was thinking of doing with this one if I can get the B&M in Kitchener to order it for me:

http://www.xikar.com/popup_pix.asp?b...l%20Hygrometer
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No matter what you buy for humidification you need to season your humidor (unless you go with Tupperware or a cooler neither of which need to be seasoned). Beads would be put in your humidor after it has seasoned.

Not sure why you want your B&M to order for you; you can order hygrometers directly from many sites including Xikar, HCM or Heartfelt.
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Didn't I try and answer this for you in another thread?
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I recently switched to the HCM beads and have had no problems with my desk top humidors. before that struggled with all the other bars, pucks, foam, etc...

as for seasoning a new humidor this site has many great threads that can wlak you through it. or as with my local B&M, they will season it for you even if you did not purchase it from them. Check your local if you do not want to do this your self.

My first two desk tops The local B&M seasoned for me but, after that i read the forums and did the others my self. its not difficult.
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