Cigar Humidifiers: Pros and Cons

www.cheaphumidors.com/a/cigarh...
Hi I’m Kayla with Cheaphumidors.com and today we’re going to discuss the five main types of humidifiers people use in their humidors. We have foam, crystal gel, beads, Boveda, and electronic humidifiers. Today we’ll discuss the pros and cons of cigar humidifiers.
Foam-Based Humidifiers: The Cheapest Option
The main type of humidifier that we see in humidors is the traditional foam-based humidifier. This utilizes a florist foam like this, and you refill this with either distilled water or activator solution. It is a one-way humidifier so it will only release moisture. If you refill it with distilled water, you’ll see a large boost in humidity followed by a quick taper in humidity. If you use activator solution, you’ll see a steady release over time.
You need to refill these humidifiers once every 1-2 weeks, depending on how large your humidor is. You also need to replace them every 6-12 months. The florist foam will end up losing its ability to absorb water over time, so you’ll see a decrease in functionality over that time.
They come in all different shapes and sizes. This one is a travel humidifier so it’s for a 10-12 cigar humidor, and it doesn’t mount but just sits in the humidor. The smaller, round one is for about 75 cigars, and you can mount it magnetically or you can rest it on the tray. They also come in these larger sizes that are for about 250 cigars.
Again, you need to replace these every 6-12 months. They are very cost effective; they are by far the cheapest method of humidification, but you do run the risk of mold growth over time. These create humid environments which is great for your cigars but it’s also really great for mold. The activator solution will help prevent mold but you still run that risk.
Crystal Gel Humidifiers: One Way Only
Next we have crystal gel humidifiers. You may choose to upgrade your humidifier to a crystal gel-based humidifier. These types of humidifiers use a crystal polymer; it starts off as very small, hard crystals and they’ll expand when you humidify them. They’ll end up looking something like this.
This is a one way humidifier so it will only release humidity. It won’t absorb any excess humidity. They come in a vast variety of shapes and sizes. You have the traditional one that will mount to the lid of your humidor, and these will humidify up to about 250 cigars.
You have the DryMistat Crystal Humidity Tube which will lay down in your humidor like this, alongside your cigars and release humidity. Then you have the jar-based ones that will sit at the bottom of your humidor without being mounted.
They need to be refilled with only distilled water, you don’t want to use activator solution with these. You want to refill them every 2-4 weeks and they need to be replaced every 1-2 years. The great thing about these is that it is super easy to tell when you need to refill them because the crystals will shrink. However, it is still a one-way humidifier so you’ll run the risk of over-humidifying your humidor.
Bead-Based Humidifiers: People Love Them!
Next we have the bead-based humidifiers. These use silica beads that will become clear when they become humidified. They typically are sold in bags. You can get them on our website in 1/2 or 1/4 pound bag.
You can mount them in different ways. Some people use nylon stockings or some people will use a plastic dish. Some companies use them in mounted humidifiers like this, which can mount to the lid of your humidor using Velcro. These types of humidifiers are meant to be refilled with distilled water only, you don’t want to use activator solution.
They need to be refilled every 2-4 weeks and they need to be replaced every 3-6 years. As the beads will absorb oils from the cigars, they’ll lose their ability to absorb and release moisture. A lot of people love these because they’re the two-way humidifiers.
The only problem is that sometimes they do give off dust. Other than that, they’re really cost effective. The upfront cost might be a little higher than a traditional foam-based humidifier, but they need to be replaced far less often.
Boveda Packets: Super Accurate, Two Way Humidification
Next we have Boveda packets, which use salt compounds to maintain very accurate humidity levels. They come in 65, 69, 72, and 75 percent packets. You need about one packet per 25 cigar capacity. They are a two-way humidifier so they will both release and absorb humidity. Once they reach their setpoint they’ll start absorbing their humidity.

[@mkh1688]

Just got my first humidor for Christmas. This is the most comprehensive video online anywhere for humidifying products. Definitely earned my business with this content.

[@sparkola]

I have a 19 year old 200 ct humidor full with dual oasis foam humidifiers in it. They are the original ones and are still functioning perfectly. I’m not grasping why people keep saying they need to be replaced so often. Never had a problem with mold or beetles

[@thorfinthorfin3010]

Ditto. My 200 count bearl wood has the foam ones that came with it from 2009. No problems with mold . I rotate my sticks every 1st Saturday of the month and top off my rectangular humidifiers. Mine works well.

[@vishaanp4531]

that is one badass fireplace in the background

[@CheaphumidorsDOTcom]

Vishaan P I know, right?!

[@MrAnthonykieran]

TV sideways

[@Gandesh_Bahaji]

And ironically you're not supposed to keep the humidor near heat sources. All good tho. Great vid. ✌🏻🤪

[@JevonsLove]

this chick is awesome, thanks so much for explaining all that i'm using the propylene glycol solution in that round sponge, I bought a little 50 cigar humidor can't wait to get started

[@DarthBaeza]

I just bought my first Humidor. This video is SO HELPFUL. I bought the Drymistat Sticks. I LOVE your voice and your Energy, I could listen to you talk all night. Thanks for the Help. :D Peace...

[@Anonyminded]

Great guide, thank you for sharing!

[@danieltripp6602]

Very helpful and informative. Thank you!

[@heathwatkins9086]

Thank u Kayla for the information. Great info from a beautiful lady! 😎🖒

[@bogeyboi]

Good video. Very helpful.

[@tempeman101]

great video - thanks for all the info

[@sin8800]

Cigar Oasis with a Heartfelt bead container for large humidors. Boveda packs for portable or smaller humidors. You always need something to absorb humidity because that's what creates mold. Typically mold likes to live in humidity levels above 70%, but I keep everything in a 62-69%, and I never had mold after that.

[@gloriahall7507]

Woo! Thank you! Very very good info!

[@LikeableGuy]

I couldn't tell why I was feeling so weird on the close ups until about 6 minutes in when I finally realized it's because the background isn't moving with the foreground. Other than that nice video, some good info

[@echocharlie6707]

Boveda packs work great. Two-way humidification; just toss them in right on top of your cigars. I found them cheapest on eBay.

[@diegobaquero2054]

very good video, well explained

[@djjrod8042]

Thanks for the info.

[@RonGallardo777]

Hi can I put the Humidity beads in a oasis excel and remove the green foam ?

[@williamdiffin28]

Excellent video

[@Vidmr2407]

nice informative video and nice fire!!

[@youcanthide004]

Great Job

[@humansvd3269]

I'm using the puck with xikar solution. It is working fine holding at 67 F, 69 Humidity. I have a 70 Percent gel standing by.

[@Unknown_67934]

Great video 😁

[@PipenFalzy]

I see the same on websites. The crystals are 2 way with solution.?

[@jesseechavarria8488]

That was amazing 😍

[@silvereagle2061]

So I wanted to get the XIKAR HumiFan 831XI which is a battery run humidifier but it only circulates the air and doesn't take in water.

[@markdlt2989]

I like the bovida packets. Question, what if I usually keep 5 to 10 cigars in a larger 50-60 humidifier box can I use the smaller one or it depends on size of the humidifier?

[@spyderspic666]

Boveda all the way!!!!! Thats the only humidification i use.

[@ashheadcigarjunkytv2456]

How do I clean the travel humidifier, sponge?

[@3looh11]

So Can I just drop the two way humidifier in my humidor and that is it?

[@Gandesh_Bahaji]

Thank you so much. ✌🏻🌟

[@jonasschultz9625]

Do you just refill a foam humidifier with the PG solution over and over again?

[@MrJeffinLodi]

thanks for the info; nicely done video. Thoughts on production; great audio quality;t hat is very important. If you use cue cards or teleprompter, keep it in line with the camera; looking off camera is not a good idea. I would avoid the hand held shots; lessens the image of quality. thanks, again.

[@bennyfromda-bronx6343]

I clicked cause Kayla was in the video. :-)

[@dncorrea1977]

I thought it was not possible to use distilled water in the Xikar Crystal humidifier. Even the 50/50 solution would not be adequate, only Xykar PS Solution. Can anyone talk more about this?

[@paulvelarde6165]

How many cigars can the jars do?

[@88FOUR]

shes beautiful. love listening as i just look...

[@stuarthough7277]

Good afternoon, I’ve wiped my humidor with distilled water, and put in two Boveda 84% seasoning packs. The hygrometer reading has surged to 99%. Is this normal or signs of an issue?

[@benson4u215]

65 boveda has never failed me, the others are gimmicky, when she said recharge a humidity pack but it's not quite just that easy , she said the gel was only one way humidity outwards but she poured liquid into the beads, so that was a redundant bit

[@sin8800]

65 is the best

[@nicolaswalsh5651]

Why don’t you want to use solution with the beads?

[@20SauLito10]

where can you get the mounted rh beads?

[@CheaphumidorsDOTcom]

Saul Serrano We sell humidity beads at www.cheaphumidors.com, but unfortunately we do not sell separate mounts.

[@lanceofficialmusicchannel5981]

+Saul Serrano Try Ebay.com I've found a lot of my necessary cigar / humidor supplies there @ cheap $$$. 16oz. bottle of propolene glycol, digital hydrometer, etc.

[@adriannyasia]

oh Kayla Kayla Kayla.....

[@buzzyfuzzsaw]

Kayla, I think I love you.

[@jacktkiller6104]

What is cigar?

[@silvereagle2061]

Great video. Very pretty host.

[@jaydelgadoboy]

why wouldn't someone use the activator solution with the gel?

[@CheaphumidorsDOTcom]

Jay Delgado The solution is designed to combat mold growth. The gels themselves are already manufactured to resist mold. You can certainly use solution for the gels however it would be redundant, also the solution would not work as well with the gels.

[@paladin656]

She says that Crystal based systems like the Xikar she's demonstrating should be refilled with distilled water, though Xikar's website says they should be refilled with PG solution. www.xikar.com/products/humidification/humidification101.asp

[@R2sojr09]

Kitty litter FTW!

[@beckderm]

Replace the foam with Humidor Humidity Beads. Then place the Boveda packs on the bottom of your humidor. No reason to season or seal your humidor.

[@baniguy]

Why not tap water 🤔

[@richdutb]

mold

[@94SexyStang]

well shit, I guess I'm gonna have to upgrade my cigars out of the toolbox....

[@DJCStuff]

...lotta stuff here...

[@Rocklessness]

why the sharp SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS?, RIP eardrum if using headphones

[@sechiatano1973]

Now on the jail you said you have to fill them up to every 2 to 3 weeks yeah if you're running a very big humidor now if you're running a humidor up to a 100 cigars you have to fill like every month I know this for a fact cuz I've been running my humidor like this for quite some time and you can use A hydrometer solution with them as well you don't need to use to distilled water.

[@CheaphumidorsDOTcom]

Thanks! The frequencies in refilling humidifiers varies depending on a number of factors. Best bet is to just keep an eye on your hygrometer and use your best judgement to maintain humidity.

[@SL-rt5bz]

Good god I couldn't get through it with the music.

[@CheaphumidorsDOTcom]

Steven Lara LOL, sorry about the cheesy elevator jazz music...

[@SL-rt5bz]

+Luis Hernandez (Mr. Wolf) LOL

[@natewruck4953]

She says to use only distilled water with gel.. but the ppl at my cigar shop and the bottle says to use the xikar solution

[@CheaphumidorsDOTcom]

+Nate Wruck Here's a little insider tip: Xikar solution is mostly distilled water, with a bit anti-fungal. You'll be fine using either option.

[@adriannyasia]

Kayla is so hott!