Has anyone used Boveda humidity packs like this one in a cigar humidor?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boveda-75-Perce ... =boveda+75
Re: Storing Pu?
I've been worried about these Cigar Oasis units, as they are using floral foam, which contains formaldehyde, acid catalysts, barium sulfate and heptane - whatever that is (ref. http://www.fdionline.net/fdi/public/fil ... m_2009.pdf)mr mopu wrote: I use these with small computer fans I run a few minutes each day.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CIGAR-OASIS-Plu ... SwEK9TyXh7
It might not be a hazard in the context of a pumidor, I really don't know.
Re: Storing Pu?
Good info, thank you! I looked at the foam and it seems to be a bit different from regular floral foam but I will see if I can dig something up on it.Bef wrote:I've been worried about these Cigar Oasis units, as they are using floral foam, which contains formaldehyde, acid catalysts, barium sulfate and heptane - whatever that is (ref. http://www.fdionline.net/fdi/public/fil ... m_2009.pdf)mr mopu wrote: I use these with small computer fans I run a few minutes each day.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CIGAR-OASIS-Plu ... SwEK9TyXh7
It might not be a hazard in the context of a pumidor, I really don't know.
Re: Storing Pu?
That is very troubling. Are there alternatives?Bef wrote:I've been worried about these Cigar Oasis units, as they are using floral foam, which contains formaldehyde, acid catalysts, barium sulfate and heptane - whatever that is (ref. http://www.fdionline.net/fdi/public/fil ... m_2009.pdf)mr mopu wrote: I use these with small computer fans I run a few minutes each day.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CIGAR-OASIS-Plu ... SwEK9TyXh7
It might not be a hazard in the context of a pumidor, I really don't know.
Re: Storing Pu?
I asked them about that in May, on their Facebook page, and they confirmed they were using floral foam in their smaller units. Here's their answer (still available on their Facebook page):mr mopu wrote:Good info, thank you! I looked at the foam and it seems to be a bit different from regular floral foam but I will see if I can dig something up on it.
wrote:Regarding the water cartridge foam…. It is in fact floral foam. We are not aware that it may contain carcinogens, however the foam is treated with an anti fungal agent so that it prevents mold from growing. That being said you probably would not want to use it for your tea. Our Magna unit, which is for larger cabinets, does not use the foam, but water beads instead.
Re: Storing Pu?
One alternative is Aristocrat, but it's not in the same price range...Rdeitz wrote:That is very troubling. Are there alternatives?
Re: Storing Pu?
I think I'm going to have to make the switch. I have too much invested in my tea to risk this kind of exposure.Bef wrote:One alternative is Aristocrat, but it's not in the same price range...Rdeitz wrote:That is very troubling. Are there alternatives?
Re: Storing Pu?
BTW I bought a small Aristocrat for my fairly small pumidor (17 bottles wine cooler) and during summer the pumidor would remain over 70% without having the fans ever running (passive evaporation), while I want to limit my storage to 69-70% max. So I had to switch to a simple bowl of water for now. Things might be different over the winter and/if I switch to a larger pumidor next year.Rdeitz wrote:I think I'm going to have to make the switch. I have too much invested in my tea to risk this kind of exposure.Bef wrote:One alternative is Aristocrat, but it's not in the same price range...Rdeitz wrote:That is very troubling. Are there alternatives?
Also, don't assume the Aristocrat will report the correct r/h level out of the box - I discovered mine was reporting r/h minus 12%, and after 3 weeks had a tuo completely spoiled. Confirmed the actual r/h with a cheap hygrometer and a higher-end cigar hygrometer that the Aristocrat guy recommended. They told me that they do calibrate their units, but that this can change with shipping (parts moving during transport or whatever). So make sure to confirm the r/h with a second hygrometer. In any case, you can correct the r/h on the Aristocrat, so it's no big deal as long as you're aware in time before all your tea is spoiled - as I found out, 3 weeks at 82% is enough to grow lots of mold on some puerh.
Re: Storing Pu?
I second the idea of re-calibrating the system. Once you put them in a stable environment, it seems to be pretty solid. I re-calibrated mine after 4 years, and it had drifted up about 5 percent. Not too bad.
I used a pretty cheap hygrometer and calibration kit (basically a salt water packet system). Then used that hygrometer to calibrate the aristocrat system.
I used a pretty cheap hygrometer and calibration kit (basically a salt water packet system). Then used that hygrometer to calibrate the aristocrat system.
Re: Storing Pu?
I just found out you can remove the foam from the Oasis units fairly easy. I gutted all 4 of mine and have ordered some water retaining crystals. I think this will allow me to keep the electronics and keep away from the foam.
Re: Storing Pu?
It doesn't "shoot out vapor" it simply has an absorbent pad underneath a fan which slowly evaporates the water vapor into the air. It doesn't spray or mist or anything else. Also, the fan is placed beneath a chimney in my storage so no cakes are directly above it. I've been using this for years now with 0 mold or any other problemssteanze wrote:Electronic humidifiers that shoot out vapor are at high risk for mold if any tea is in the trajectory of the vapor IMOExempt wrote:http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/electronic.htm I haven't touched it since I bought it 2+ years agoiGo wrote:Mr. M, might you be able to recommend any electronic humidifiers with which you have had success?
Re: Storing Pu?
My aristocrat was accurate out of the box. Also something to note, the guy that made the aristocrat humidifiers was paid by cigar oasis to make their line of humidifiers. This is what he said when I asked about the difference between the units:
"That is a fair question. It really is quality of components. I am the guy who designed the Cigar Oasis Plus for the CO folks. I had to use their component mix to keep the price low. Their average life expectancy is 1-3 years.
The original Set & Forget systems averaged 7-10 years of operation with some still going at 15 yrs. When I designed the new one, it has 1/2 the components & twice the memory & functions of the original. I also beefed up the components that we observed fail on the original, like the small relays. We are 4 years into the new control & the early failure rate is rare, so I expect at least the longevity of the old system and likely more."
"That is a fair question. It really is quality of components. I am the guy who designed the Cigar Oasis Plus for the CO folks. I had to use their component mix to keep the price low. Their average life expectancy is 1-3 years.
The original Set & Forget systems averaged 7-10 years of operation with some still going at 15 yrs. When I designed the new one, it has 1/2 the components & twice the memory & functions of the original. I also beefed up the components that we observed fail on the original, like the small relays. We are 4 years into the new control & the early failure rate is rare, so I expect at least the longevity of the old system and likely more."
Re: Storing Pu?
That's good to know, Exempt, thanks! I never asked about the life expectancy. As I mentioned, going on 6 years here with no problems so far....
Re: Storing Pu?
Ya, I've heard of a few people who have one going strong longer than the 3 year estimate. When I purchased the aristocrat I figured I'd rather spend $300 on a unit that I won't have to replace, rather than spend $100 (or whatever other units cost) but run the risk of having to replace it at some point. There's really no one right answer, just whatever works for each person's particular storage environment. After all, there's no evidence or testing (beyond anecdotal) to show that artificial long term storage works at all so it's a gamble no matter what you useDrax wrote:That's good to know, Exempt, thanks! I never asked about the life expectancy. As I mentioned, going on 6 years here with no problems so far....
Re: Storing Pu?
I am glad to hear it is working well for you. I have been using my non-electronic humidifier with great results and it fits perfectly inside my crocks plus I don't need to keep an electronic device constantly on and it is cheaper, so I am not going to switch to another solution until I encounter problems with the setup I have.Exempt wrote:It doesn't "shoot out vapor" it simply has an absorbent pad underneath a fan which slowly evaporates the water vapor into the air. It doesn't spray or mist or anything else. Also, the fan is placed beneath a chimney in my storage so no cakes are directly above it. I've been using this for years now with 0 mold or any other problemssteanze wrote:Electronic humidifiers that shoot out vapor are at high risk for mold if any tea is in the trajectory of the vapor IMOExempt wrote:http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/electronic.htm I haven't touched it since I bought it 2+ years agoiGo wrote:Mr. M, might you be able to recommend any electronic humidifiers with which you have had success?