Propylene Glycol

[Kangaroo495]

Guys, do you use this stuff for your humidifiers?

I bought some at the LCDH in Prague, but I can't whether it's having the necessary effect, as the igromoter is broken. Cigars seem a little dry.

Any advice?

[android]

Guys, do you use this stuff for your humidifiers?

I bought some at the LCDH in Prague, but I can't whether it's having the necessary effect, as the igromoter is broken. Cigars seem a little dry.

Any advice?

Well...first off get yourself a new Hygrometer and you can eliminate a huge guessing game with your precious cargo. I don't use PG in my humidors because it can cause damage to the electronic hygrometer controls within...if I remember correctly PG is basically a colorless innocuous fluid that helps with two things...1) eliminating mold or bacteria in your humidifying device and 2)helps maintain a stable humidity level within the humidor. Replace the broken hygrometer and you may also want to check with manufacturer if you purchase an electronic device as to whether utilizing PG is ok.

Other members will have some great thoughts as well...oh by the way is this:

1) A new humidor?

2) What is the temperature in the humidor or the surrounding room it's within?

[Fuzz]

Never used PG myself. Always have used RH beads and I've never had to worry about humidity. I tend to swap out the 65% with 70% beads during the winter when the heater is on.

[Ethernut]

Humidi Beads are the latest thing in passive humidifcation. They are much easier to deal with than PG. Checkout cigarmony.com if you're curious about them or search google for humidity beads. The Humidity beads can give humidity if needed or soak up humidity thus they keep the humidity stable no matter what as long at your humidor doesnt have a serious leak.

Ether..

[jquest63]

Have not experience with PG. Currently use a cigar oasis for my large humidor and RH beads for my thermoelectric wine cooler.

[Colt45]

I use beads as well. One of the things I don't like about pg is that in very humid conditions, you are counting on a liquid to remove humidity,

and after a certain point, it just can't.

If you go with rh beads or crystal cat litter, my one suggestion would be to buy a bit more than you think you might need, and to only add

distilled water as needed. Again, in the most humid times of the year, you would not want damp beads trying to absorb moisture.

[bolivr]

I found the PG solution fine when I just had a desk top humi to look after.

But it seemed messy and impractical for the bar fridge I converted some months back. Got some RH beads which are very stable.

[Kangaroo495]

Fair point regarding the need to get another igrometer. I'm gonna try to find some of these "beads". Thanks guys.

[Ethernut]

Fair point regarding the need to get another igrometer. I'm gonna try to find some of these "beads". Thanks guys.

With the beads, you could get by without a hygrometer.. They are fantastic, just check them often to establish what their release rate is so you'll know how often to refill them. On the other hand, if you life in a humid area, you my need to dry them out occasionally.

[n2advnture]

PG is ok if you don't have anything else available and you want your RH to be 70% or higher.

PG bonds to water molecules and has a 'release point' of 70% RH. Most humidifiers that use PG tend to over humidify and don't have any regulatory properties to help reduce excess RH in case you get a spike (from ambient humidity or from cigars that are over hydrated from the store - which a lot tend to do).

I hope this helps bro

~Mark

[Ginseng]

PG is ok if you don't have anything else available and you want your RH to be 70% or higher.

PG bonds to water molecules and has a 'release point' of 70% RH. Most humidifiers that use PG tend to over humidify and don't have any regulatory properties to help reduce excess RH in case you get a spike (from ambient humidity or from cigars that are over hydrated from the store - which a lot tend to do).

I hope this helps bro

~Mark

I'm sorry Mark, but that's almost completely wrong.

Depending on the ratio of PG to water, at 60F you can regulate the relative humidity at any point from 20-90%. PG is capable of true humidity regulation through establishing chemical equilibrium and is able to absorb and release significant quantities of water to maintain equilibrium. In this respect, only the saturated mineral salts are its equal. At 60F, if you want to maintain 65% RH, simply use 70/30 PG/water by weight (or do an easy calculation to convert it to volumes such as teaspoons or milliliters). If you buy a commercial solution and it specifies 50/50, then yes, you're going to be too wet (about 82% RH).

PG-water is a powerful technology that, if used properly, can control the environment inside your humidor or cooler with precision and stability. I don't just talk the talk. I've used PG-water for a dozen years and only recently have I incorporated home-conditioned silica as an adjunct. And let's not paint the picture that PG-water is a finicky, demanding technique for humidity control. All other known methods require vigilance and maintenance as well. There is nothing that is truly idiot-proof and set and forget forever. Nothing. What one chooses to use is a matter of choice with respect to what routines and regimens one finds acceptable.

One other thing to keep in mind is that PG is a bacteriostat. It kills bugs. I have never heard of a single account of PG water becoming mold infested. I have, experienced over time, that a cup of PG-water can become tan/brown and inoculated with the rich aroma of the cigars that it helps maintain.

Wilkey

[Colt45]

Depending on the ratio of PG to water, at 60F you can regulate the relative humidity at any point from 20-90%.

In this respect, only the saturated mineral salts are its equal. At 60F, if you want to maintain 65% RH, simply use 70/30 PG/water by weight (or do an easy calculation to convert it to volumes such as teaspoons or milliliters). If you buy a commercial solution and it specifies 50/50, then yes, you're going to be too wet (about 82% RH).

Wilkey

Very interesting. I've never purchased straight PG, and solutions have always been 50/50. Could I use straight PG and keep a separate small

container of water to regulate humidity - or does it have to be mixed?

All other known methods require vigilance and maintenance as well. There is nothing that is truly idiot-proof and set and forget forever. Nothing. What one chooses to use is a matter of choice with respect to what routines and regimens one finds acceptable.

I feel the same way - I'm in agreement that there is no such thing as set and forget, especially with regard to systems that are not truly "active".

I also think that the type of humidor used plays a large part in how easily climate is maintained. I think that coolers, tupperdors, etc are much

easier to regulate than the typical container made of wood.

[Ginseng]

It is the property of the mixed solution that does the magic. Keeping two separate tubs would not work.

Even active systems (meaning employing a powered sensor and control system with moisture reservoir a la the Oasis) must be checked periodically for fillage and to keep an eye out for mold.

There is no free lunch in cigar storage. Well, except for a welded steel capsule...but then it'd be really hard to get a cigar out for smoking.

Wilkey

[n2advnture]

Thanks for the info Wilkey (yes, I was referring to the standard 50/50 that most people used to)

How about at 65 degrees or 68 degrees or 70 degrees, what are the ratios?

Thanks again,

~Mark

[Ginseng]

Thanks for the info Wilkey (yes, I was referring to the standard 50/50 that most people used to)

How about at 65 degrees or 68 degrees or 70 degrees, what are the ratios?

Thanks again,

~Mark

In this range of humidity, the change due to temperature is pretty minimal. At 70F, you'd be fine with 70/30 up to 72/28 if your sticks come in wet.

Wilkey

[habone]

Wilkey, I currently use 1/2 Lb. of beads. Would it be OK to use a PG Puck along with the beads? You stated the that PG is a BACTERIOSTAT so I was thinking of putting 1 in my humi for this sole purpose?

[Ginseng]

I don't think that would be effective. I'd have to research it a bit but I think PG only exhibits bacteriostatic (bacteria killing) properties on contact.

Wilkey

[Kangaroo495]

A couple more questions about this. What do the beads look like? Where do you put them in the humidor? What if I'm using a desktop humidor?

I saw some kind of "puck" in the CC shop, and there were also just the beads by themselves. What should I take?

Cheers!

[Colt45]

A couple more questions about this. What do the beads look like? Where do you put them in the humidor? What if I'm using a desktop humidor?

I saw some kind of "puck" in the CC shop, and there were also just the beads by themselves. What should I take?

Cheers!

The beads are small and whitish in appearance while dry. When wet, they turn clear. The puck is an invention of our own member n2advnture.

The puck contains beads and is designed to replace the existing foam humidifiers in a desktop humidor. My suggestion for an average size

desktop would be to get two 100s. I have a "100 count" humidor in which I use two 50s, and in the most humid parts of summer, I have to

add extra desiccant to absorb the excess moisture.

Also, I personally do not add water directly to the beads, but use a small container with water only when necessary. You can only do this if you

have a little extra room in the humidor. I think most people moisten the beads directly.

For larger humidors, coolers, etc, bulk beads are the way to go. You can leave them in the "sock" they come in, or place them in another container.

A piece of tupperware works, and many cover them with a nylon or similar porous material. I use a window screen and drilled holes in the container's

lid and snap that over the screen. You don't need a cover, but if you spill the beads you'll regret it

Just remember, you only need to moisten some of the beads as needed. They are not supposed to be dripping wet.

[thechenman]

Has anyone here tried useing Boveda packets? I have had a lot of success with them, and they are easy to use, replace and dispose of. They are offered in a variety of RH types.

[Colt45]

Has anyone here tried useing Boveda packets? I have had a lot of success with them, and they are easy to use, replace and dispose of. They are offered in a variety of RH types.

I've tried them in the past with good results, but I prefer beads.

[fryguy]

Have to go with the beads too. I've tried several different methods in the past but have settled on the beads. Humidity fluctuates alot in my area & they seem to keep my humidor pretty consistent.