Actually, there is a difference in beads.
Shilala Beads, now HCM, work differently.
Appear to be the same type of beads I bought from Roaster Dude.
These beads are a good bit more absorptive than others.
So absorptive that you cannot moisten them directly, if you pour water on them directly they will absorb so fast they will literally crumble/explode similar to popcorn but not nearly so explosive as popcorn - but the beads will crumble.
They function essentially as a humidity stabilizer that seeks equilibrium within an enclosed space. I believe the sellers claims of very high absorption ability to be realistic.
They do not have a particular set point, you can raise the humidity level by placing a moistened sponge on a dish in the humidor, or lower by placing the beads in a lower humidity level environment for a while and returning.
You do have to think about them differently and take a different approach, or at least I did.
Having said that, I never really got solid control of my humidity in the wineador and large cooler until I started using them.
I had some from roaster dude, never got the hang of those - ordered some from http://www.shilalasbeads.com/ and following their directions did well, then realized what I had from roaster dude was probably the same.
Just ordered more a couple of days ago.
It helped me to view the inside of the wineador as an enclosed space with internal items that absorbed/dispersed moisture at different rates (different cigars/sizes/tobacco) and the beads as items that absorb more rapidly.
If you want to spray/moisten and forget, you are better with a different product. If you want to nail a humidity level and get everything in the winedor/coolidor at one RH, it will take some time and tinkering to get everything truly stabilized but once there solid and easy to maintain.
Without question, they work differently and require a different approach than HF, and KL. I used HF for years, and thought KL to work about the same. The only real negative with KL it takes up more space and the dust it gives off. Some users simply put the KL in a tray and this works well for them.
ETA
cacman wrote:Ping Roaster Dude.
Roaster Dude appears to have dropped out of sight for a while. I did see another poster state somewhat recently that he had been in contact with Roaster Dude, RD was well and working a lot - but had sold out of beads. I attempted several times over several months to get in touch with RD because I wished to purchase more, but was unable to get a response.
It appears that HCM is the only source for these beads at this time.
