Hi Everybody,

I've decided that it's time to get some good quality beads, due to recent poor luck using 70% PG Gel.

I have used pg gel for years, and normally just drybox whatever I plan to smoke for a day or two. Recently though, I noticed that if I don't let my cigars dry out a bit before smoking, they suffer from burn problems, tight draws, and generally the flavors seem a little muted.

Looking on Heartfelt's site, they offer both 60 and 65% beads. I would like to hear some opinions from fans of both types, as to why you prefer one or the other before I make a decision.

Cheers

-Jeff G.

:-)
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I prefer my smokes right between there. If I were storing in something VERY sealed, like tupperware, I'd opt for the 60%. I use 65% beads in my wineador/humi.

I guess its all about where you like your cigars. I don't mess with anything if the hygrometer doesn't dip below 60%, and I enjoy how my cigars smoke. Actually, I haven't used a hygro in quite some time, as I let my cigars be the determining factor on if I need to look at humidity levels. I personally use HCM beads, and I've come to trust them more than I trust a hygro.
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I have 65% in my wineador
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Same here, I think mine leaks a little and I do go in the drawer a lot so my 65% hovers around 60 most of the time.
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I guess I should mention this is for several small tupperdors holding 50 cigars or so each. Leakage is not an issue, and neither is long-term storage. I am more of a smoker than a collector, so most likely everything in the humi now will be gone within 3 years.
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Got 65% heartfelt. They run about 63% in the cooler and 65% in the humi. I'm happy.
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This pretty much is my experience too.
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Is there a poll? :-)
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I would go for 60 then buts that's just my :-)
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I prefer 65% beads but mostly because that's what I've always used. Never had any problems with the beads, or with burn issues with my cigars.
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I use the 65% HF beads in both my humi and wineador and have no issues
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Please expand. Is this based upon personal experience? What type of storage are you using?
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You can get Shilala beads at 65% and always adjust them up or down to suit your preferences. Just my :-)
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exactly :-) to be honest i have no idea which rh my shilala beads are, but i know that i can keep my vino right between 62 and 63 with careful, yet minimal maintenance
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oh wow, these look like the way to go.

Because I'm in Houston, where the humidity stays well above 70% for most of the year, my main concern is cigars actually retaining too much moisture, not drying out.

It is my understanding that PG gel may not be very effective at pulling excess moisture from the air inside the humi, which is what I think I need most.
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I use Heartfelt 65% in my desktop and a 65% Boveda pack in my tupperdor, but I think I'll follow Peter's advice about 60% beads in the tupperdor.
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I use 65% HF beads in my cabinet. If I were in the market for some new ones, I'd get Shilala's because they are adjustable. Sure beats having to get different ones, if what you buy doesn't work the way you want.
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I have used both the heartfelt and Shiala's beads in harsh environments (desert)

I prefer Shiala's Beads - less Maintainance and they seemed more stable. And then back in Hawaii where the humidity is higher year round, Shiala's Beads keeps my humi lower where it needs to be.

Just my opinion :-)
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What I've found, moving (literally) from one end of the country to the other, is that it depends on where you live. Ask local BOTLs how they prefer theirs.

Regardless, I've always liked 60% for older stock and long-term aging, and 65% or even 70% for smoking stock. But I found that when I moved to Miami, the 70% worked much better. Probably has to do with year-round air conditioning and its drying effect, as opposed to Seattle, where I had no A/C.
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I have 70's and am at 65-66 steadily...
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