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Last post 7 years ago by frankj1. 16 replies replies.
Gel jars + Boveda
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Pudding Mittens Offline
#1 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 2:42 PM EST
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291

Any of you guys ever try using gel jar(s) AND Boveda pack(s) in the same container?

I've been doing it as an experiment in one of my containers for awhile now (Sterilite 116-quart, 95% full of cigars, plenty of Spanish cedar and calibrated digital hygrometer inside).

I just fill the gel jar(s) with distilled water as needed (the usual procedure for a gel jar). The Boveda(s) sits there and seems to automatically make slight absorb/emit adjustments as necessary to "smooth out" and correct the gel jar's emission inaccuracies (they tend to do slightly too little or too much emitting based on how filled they are) for an end result of maintaining exactly 69% RH.

As a bonus, this seems to continually re-charge and maintain the Boveda pack(s) in prime operating condition indefinitely and automatically. I never have to touch them. I suspect they'll last forever, with no annoying, days-long "recharge procedure" needed (wet sponge in plastic bag, etc.)

This is, needless to say, pretty friggin' sweet, and I may convert all my containers to this system soon.

Anyone else try it? Thanks.
Covfireman Offline
#2 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 2:49 PM EST
Joined: 09-03-2015
Posts: 809
I use the same setup in all of mine . I have had to recharge the packs in my coolerador but I blame myself for traveling and not charging the gel and beads in it .all of them maintain whatever humidity boveda packs I put in them .
jjanecka Offline
#3 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 2:52 PM EST
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
I'm running a boveda and a few sticks of celery. I found that they last longer than lettuce.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#4 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 2:54 PM EST
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291

Let me get this out of the way so we don't have to endure it further. Here goes:

BEADS ARE BETTER! NO THEY'RE NOT, KITTY LITTER IS BETTER, YOU'RE CLUELESS! GEL JARS SUCK, YOU'RE A NEWB! ONLY DUMBASSES USE 69% BECAUSE 65% IS WAY BETTER! NO PAL, 62% IS WAY BETTER THAN 65%! NO IT ISN'T! IS TOO!

There we go, tangent religious wars have all been pre-emptively taken care of! :) Now we can simply discuss the core concept, a Boveda pack to "smooth out" an emitter while being continually recharged and maintained by it.



Pudding Mittens Offline
#5 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 2:57 PM EST
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Covfireman wrote:
I use the same setup in all of mine . I have had to recharge the packs in my coolerador but I blame myself for traveling and not charging the gel and beads in it .all of them maintain whatever humidity boveda packs I put in them .

Sweet, so my excellent test results are NOT some weird anomaly. Great to hear! Thanks for the corroboration!
KingoftheCove Offline
#6 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 2:59 PM EST
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,631
Only noobs use gel jars......
shaun341 Offline
#7 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 3:01 PM EST
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
Sounds like a nice setup if it is working for you. I like beads/litter because I rarely have to do anything with them and they are pretty constant within a degree or 2 at all times for the humidity I prefer. Just spritz ed them with water for the first time in maybe 6 months or better last weekend.

Thanks for getting the formalities out of the way pudding but you did miss lettuce/celery, new one to me.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#8 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 3:09 PM EST
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
shaun341 wrote:
Sounds like a nice setup if it is working for you. I like beads/litter because I rarely have to do anything with them and they are pretty constant within a degree or 2 at all times for the humidity I prefer. Just spritz ed them with water for the first time in maybe 6 months or better last weekend.

Lots of different ways to skin the cat of humidity control, yep! Beads and litter are already 2-way, so they shouldn't need any additional component.

I just think it's pretty interesting that if you put a 1-way, emit-only PG-based device (for example, a gel jar) in a container along with a Boveda, the overall system apparently provides true 2-way humidity control just as beads/litter do, and with no extra effort compared to beads/litter, because the Boveda never needs to be touched, maintained, refilled or replaced (unless you forget to check and refill your gel jar for a LONG time, of course).

Both systems require nothing more than occasional monitoring and refilling with distilled water. Pretty cool.

shaun341 wrote:
Thanks for getting the formalities out of the way pudding but you did miss lettuce/celery, new one to me.

The celery thing, I believe, is part of some running joke. I've seen it elsewhere on other forums too. :)
riverdog Offline
#9 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 4:40 PM EST
Joined: 03-28-2008
Posts: 2,600
Pudding Mittens wrote:
Let me get this out of the way so we don't have to endure it further. Here goes:

BEADS ARE BETTER! NO THEY'RE NOT, KITTY LITTER IS BETTER, YOU'RE CLUELESS! GEL JARS SUCK, YOU'RE A NEWB! ONLY DUMBASSES USE 69% BECAUSE 65% IS WAY BETTER! NO PAL, 62% IS WAY BETTER THAN 65%! NO IT ISN'T! IS TOO!

There we go, tangent religious wars have all been pre-emptively taken care of! :) Now we can simply discuss the core concept, a Boveda pack to "smooth out" an emitter while being continually recharged and maintained by it.




Doesn't matter if its a paper towel you occasionally spritz with water, just keep it 60-65% and quitcher worrying.fog Herfing
Ruby Offline
#10 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 5:51 PM EST
Joined: 02-24-2016
Posts: 116
I use the same setup as Pudding and have had great success. Exteamly low maintenance and spot on humidity. Others can keep trying a different mouse trap and I'm sure they will also get great results but if you want a system that works for cheap I recommend it.
banderl Offline
#11 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 7:10 PM EST
Joined: 09-09-2008
Posts: 10,153
The gel can grow mold after a while.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#12 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 7:27 PM EST
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Ruby wrote:
I use the same setup as Pudding and have had great success. Exteamly low maintenance and spot on humidity. Others can keep trying a different mouse trap and I'm sure they will also get great results but if you want a system that works for cheap I recommend it.

Thanks, Ruby! That's now several guys who've confirmed my initial short-term, small-scale test findings. So, it sounds like it's a viable and excellent setup!

banderl wrote:
The gel can grow mold after a while.

I've heard this, yet I've been using some of my gel jars for at least 7 years now, and they're fine. I'm not sure, but I suspect mold may only form when the humidity is allowed to get crazy-high or something, which this setup (gel + Boveda) should permanently prevent.
Mr Roso Offline
#13 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 7:49 PM EST
Joined: 09-05-2013
Posts: 384
I was never able to get consistency from gel jars, so I'm a firm believer that beads are just the best option. It's a 'set and forget' type option for me. But use whatever works best for you.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#14 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 8:28 PM EST
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Mr Roso wrote:
I was never able to get consistency from gel jars, so I'm a firm believer that beads are just the best option. It's a 'set and forget' type option for me. But use whatever works best for you.

I've been using gel jars for years, and they always hover AROUND the target RH, but never really hold it. Sometimes a few points low, sometimes a couple points high.

On a whim about a month ago, I tossed a couple of 69% Bovedas in with the jars.

Rock-solid 68-69 ever since, no variation. The hygro's screen never says anything except "68" or "69", regardless of temperature, time of day, or anything else. Very impressive.

Also, the Bovedas look/feel/weigh exactly the same as they used to.

This is what inspired me to start this thread. :)
Mr Roso Offline
#15 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 8:43 PM EST
Joined: 09-05-2013
Posts: 384
It sounds like you've come up with a stable system. Herfing
frankj1 Offline
#16 Posted: Tue, Sep 13 2016, 9:35 PM EST
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,215
the proof is in the eating of the pudding, Pudding.
If the cigars feel right and smoke right, why worry?
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