Hey all---i'm up in MN, and the humidity up here goes to nothing during the winter, so I've come up with a solution for my humidor humidity issues that cheap... not sure if anyone's done this before, but I've been really happy with it, so I thought I'd share. I take the old metal tubes that come with some cigars and fill it with oasis foam (that I buy at the local florist for $1 a brick). Anyhow, I then charge it w/ 50/50, and voila, I've got more humidity for my humidor.

I've found that up here about 2 of these in my humidor make up for the MN winters (plus the two standard circles that are always in...)

just thought I'd share

Been doing it for years, but great idea. Good job.

Do any of you know about Landscaping Crystals? They are they same stuff that is being sold as humidity gel crystals in some humidification systems. A teaspoon of this stuff soaked overnight will hold enough 50/50 solution to fill a cigar tubo, and they last a heck of a lot longer than florists foam. Either perforate the cap of the tube for transpiration, or use plastic wrap with tiny holes poked through. Costs very little and maintains 70% with scarey accuracy!

They are the same thing. Use them al the time. A Little last forever.

Landscaping Crystals?? Where can you get these? Thanks Gunflint

Most of the national hardware superstore chains will carry them in the garden department, and I have seen them in a chain supermarket garden department. They are really popular with gardeners, so just about any greenhouse should sell them or know where they can be found.

I was wondering about these. I have a jar of the stuff going my the name of Soil Moist. I use them for my house plants. A little goes a long way.

Never used them for my humis yet. So your telling me these are the same as the gels?

Yes, they are the exact same thing. That is the brand I use as well.

I Do The Same Thing But I Use A Pill Bottle.I Drill Holes In The Lid.Works Great.

Are you saying these are the exact same thing as Climmax beads, or that these are the same things as blue jelly stuff that comes in tubes?

Thanks.

They are not the same thing as the Climaxx beads. They absorb moisture and release it over time but provide no RH control. If you charged them with 50/50 that should work to achieve RH control I would think. The Climaxx beads will do the same thing but release or absorb moisture based on the RH of the space they are in. They do not need 50/50. You can buy the Climaxx beads designed for either a 65% or 70% RH level.

You also have to be careful cause some of the water absorbants will not absorb 50/50.

I discovered that the water pillows, bought on CBid are great to ship overseas with cigars for the troops, but they only absorb water.

Just a little heads up if someone tries using 50/50 solution.

why are you guys anguishing over a mickey mouse solution such as landscaping crystals when the climmax media works perfectly and is intended for the purpose ??? ...

M I CCCCCCCCCC, K E YYYYYYYYYYYY,

Climax Beads foreverrrrrrrrrrrrr!

"why are you guys anguishing over a mickey mouse solution such as landscaping crystals when the climmax media works perfectly and is intended for the purpose ??? ... "

My sentiments exactly. I got a pretty big humidor and the climmax beads work perfectly.

Most craft stores sell something called everlasting elegance for about $5/bag. It is used to hold dried flowers and things. It will absorb something like 300x in water and will keep humidity great. Maybe its not supposed to be used this way, but I put about half a bag in my new humi in July and havent had to touch it once. My WD reads about 68-72 depending on the temp in the room. Seems to work fine for me and a lot cheaper than Climaxx.

Steve S, Is any body really "anguishing" here? Relax, and realise that what is being discussed is possibly 20 times less expensive than your over the counter product. Some people actually like to DIY.

Methingks it's Steve & KNOF who are anguishing here.

Isn't the purpose of a "FORUM" to provide "OPEN" discussion in order to bring information to the uninformed?

Why would the likes of Steve & KNOF want to belittle the open discussion of methods alternative to the sales of a CI/Cbid product?

Who's the one's REALLY beingk "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E" here?

Isn't it the "informed" decision making of all CI/Cbid patrons that keep bringingk them back?

You guys need to re-thingk your attitudes about CI/Cbid patrons who want to make informed decisions and their relation to healthy marketplace competition. Without healthy customers patronizing, CI/Cbid won't remain a healthy product/service provider.

JMHO.

Purp

I don't understand the thinking behind investing in premium cigars, then cutting corners on providing the sort of long term care they need ... trying to save $5 or $10 on the key ingredient makes no sense to me if it potentially jeopardizes hundreds of dollars worth of good cigars ...

That said, I don't sell climmax media ... I derive no benefit if you use it, and I will lose none if you don't ... someone asked for advise ... in a spirit of genuine good will, I gave the very best answer I know, based not only on my own years of experience, but that of dozens of other guys in all parts of the country ... that's dozens of guys that I personally know who're using it, and not a figure of speech.

i'll say once again that I have a pretty big humi (holds about 1,000) and I use climmax in it and it works great.

For those of you who want to use other media, great, go ahead. Sharing your experiences with other media? Again, no objections there either... I think what KNOF and Steve were trying to say is that climmax media is "tried and true". It works, and it works exceptionally well. If you want to experiment with other means that are less expensive, please do and report back your findings... 🙂