Boveda packets

[Bambino68]

I have several humibags and tupperware containers with my collection and i am using the Boveda 72% packets and my cigars seem like they are still dry, should I change to a 78% packet or goto another method of humidification?

I had them in my 200 count humidor doing the distilled water route but I started to see mold so I stopped and went to Boveda as I was told that the Boveda packets would stop mold.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks in Advance

David

[Van55]

I have several humibags and tupperware containers with my collection and i am using the Boveda 72% packets and my cigars seem like they are still dry, should I change to a 78% packet or goto another method of humidification?

I had them in my 200 count humidor doing the distilled water route but I started to see mold so I stopped and went to Boveda as I was told that the Boveda packets would stop mold.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks in Advance

David

72% is too high in my experience and opinion. But you say your cigars "seem" dry. You need a well calibrated digital hygrometer to be sure.

I don't personally like the Boveda packets as a long-term humidification solution because it is hard to tell when the packets have dried out. I prefer silicone beads plus a separate source of distilled water as needed to rehumidify them.

[bigfunkyg]

Hygrometer calibration is key. I have had hygrometers straight from the store that have been as much as 9% off.

I purchased an adjustable hygrometer recently and love it. No more guessing or subtracting / adding percentage points to compensate how much it is off.

I believe Boveda has a calibration kit that is fantastic.

G

[BobLobLaw]

I have several humibags and tupperware containers with my collection and i am using the Boveda 72% packets and my cigars seem like they are still dry, should I change to a 78% packet or goto another method of humidification?

I had them in my 200 count humidor doing the distilled water route but I started to see mold so I stopped and went to Boveda as I was told that the Boveda packets would stop mold.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks in Advance

David

Agree with the above. Get yourself some beads. Many use kitty litter, but I would just pick up a half pound of 65% from heartfelt directly. More then enough and calibrated. As for storage, its coming on summer so you can probably pick up a nice sized cooler for about $20. Soak with a 1/4 cup bleach, drain, dry in sun to remove smell and you are all set. Beads go in a plastic "take out" container with holes punched in the top. Your current tupperdors can serve as shelves or compartments with the lids off. Spray and forget.

[acidmase]

Go with beads!

[SandmanTR]

When I used them, it was always 65%RH beads from Heartfelt. I never liked the packs or the "pad" that was included with any desktop humidor I owned.

[typeapositive]

I don't personally like the Boveda packets as a long-term humidification solution because it is hard to tell when the packets have dried out.

Bovedapackets will start to harden when they lose their moisture.

[thechenman]

I use both beads and Boveda packets. Beads in my coolers and Boveda packets in my humidors. The packets aren't perfect, but do work. As mentioned above...they do harden when they are done, and usually don't last more than 3 months. In dryer climates it could be only 1 month. The only way to get an accurate read though is with a hygrometer. Also, more importantly than how the cigar feels is how do they smoke. That is the ultimate test. Finally, Boveda packets won't prevent mold growth, you have to monitor the Rh level. They are also not as effective as beads in removing humidity. In NY I am at the time of year right now where I remove all the humidification devices I use as the humidity remains pretty stable in the mid to high 60s. I prefer it lower, but oh well.

[LeafLover]

Ditto on the beads. 65%.

[BobLobLaw]

FYI, I have never done it because I do not use the, but I hear you can "recharge" the Boveda packs but putting them on a rack above distilled water in sealed tupperware. Think I read somewhere where the guy just swapped back and forth every month from charging back to his humi. Seems like more work then beads to me, but it could be an option.

[daboose]

FYI, I have never done it because I do not use the, but I hear you can "recharge" the Boveda packs but putting them on a rack above distilled water in sealed tupperware. Think I read somewhere where the guy just swapped back and forth every month from charging back to his humi. Seems like more work then beads to me, but it could be an option.

I've been recharging them successfully. I have a small sterlite container with a container of water and an oust fan. I've had some crystalized packs come back to life.

[PADDYWHACK121272]

Agree with the above. Get yourself some beads. Many use kitty litter, but I would just pick up a half pound of 65% from heartfelt directly. More then enough and calibrated. As for storage, its coming on summer so you can probably pick up a nice sized cooler for about $20. Soak with a 1/4 cup bleach, drain, dry in sun to remove smell and you are all set. Beads go in a plastic "take out" container with holes punched in the top. Your current tupperdors can serve as shelves or compartments with the lids off. Spray and forget.

X2 except I would Suggest to go with bicarbonate of soda to clear the cooler and remove plastic smell.

beads are so low maintenance it actually scares me...

Welcome to the forum and check out the 'Humidor tutorial' threads

[Guest rob]

If the humidity source is losing its moisture quickly, it suggests the seal on your storage container isn't as adeqaute as you think it is.

If using tupperware, and you want to see how good the seal is - put some water straight into the container, put the lid on... and turn it upside down. I've seen so many containers leak water at a rate that empties the water out in less than a minute of being turned upside down.

[sw15825]

If the humidity source is losing its moisture quickly, it suggests the seal on your storage container isn't as adeqaute as you think it is.

If using tupperware, and you want to see how good the seal is - put some water straight into the container, put the lid on... and turn it upside down. I've seen so many containers leak water at a rate that empties the water out in less than a minute of being turned upside down.

Or, another issue could be the amount of times you "open" your containers. If you open these things daily, it takes time to build humidty back up, and it never gets to your cigars. Also the previous poster, stating that it might not be as air tight as you think.

My advice is invest in a cooler with beads. I started off with a small cooler that was large enough to hold a 12 pack of cans, with 6 or 8 oz. of beads. If you want something that can hold from 10 to 15 boxes, get a 30 to 50 quart cooler. I saw a 50 quart cooler on special at tru-value for $19.99, and included a lunch cooler, and drink cooler. Then go with beads. I struggled for years figuring it out and found the cooler, with 65% heartfelt beads and no problems. Get a hygrometer. I live in north east us, so I don''t even charge the beads from spring to fall. Winter, I add a couple of boveda packets or a piece of green foam in a small tupper container with distilled. I can open this 150 quart cooler every day, and always stays 63 to 67% humidity. Hope to have helped.

[Colt45]

my cigars seem like they are still dry........

I guess it depends on what you mean by seem - what is your intended humidity? My personal experience with these packs are that they are OK with

dispensing moisture, but not very good at absorbing excess. Mold is an obvious sign of over humidification, so perhaps your current tupper environment

is actually not all that bad?