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Last post 21 years ago by efm. 11 replies replies.
homemade humidifier question
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laxman Offline
#1 Posted: Sun, Nov 3 2002, 6:46 PM EST
Joined: 11-02-2002
Posts: 103
I want to replace the oasis foam in my humidifier, but am unclear on how to charge it exactly. I have 50/50 solution---should i put it in a bowl and let the foam soak in it for a couple minutes, or just pour some solution on top of it? how much do i need? the humidifier is small---probably 3" by 2"---enough for a 60 cigar humidor

thanks for any help that you all can pass my way
GranpaTex Offline
#2 Posted: Sun, Nov 3 2002, 6:48 PM EST
Joined: 10-25-2002
Posts: 32
soak it
efm Offline
#3 Posted: Sun, Nov 3 2002, 6:53 PM EST
Joined: 01-23-2001
Posts: 499
My understanding is that you don't want it completely saturated. The PG is a dessicant, it supposed to absorb moisture when the humidity gets too high. If your oasis is already saturated there won't be room to absorb that moisture. Anyhow that's the theory.
Slimboli Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 4:51 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Not entirely accurate ... but close.

Polypropylene glycol is not a desiccant (drying material). A desiccant is a humidors worst enemy, as I have yet to find a humidor that has a problem of being too wet (unless you live in extremely humid areas).

PG is a hydroscopic chemical (moisture carrying vehicle) that maintains the relative humidity at 70% ... so if the humidity is below that, it will release moisture. If it is higher than that, it will absorb it ...

I've found that where I live, I cannot put to much moisture in my 'credos', in fact ... I have to fill them once (sometimes twice) a week, as they dry out too quickly.

laxman Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 5:29 AM EST
Joined: 11-02-2002
Posts: 103
Ok, so im thinking i should give it a fair amount of solution, then assume that too little is better than too much and i will know if i need more by the humidity in the humi.

One more thing--I read somewhere that you shouldn't use PG solution all the time, maybe recharge it every 4 months or so. Just charge it once, then add distilled water when needed, and charge it with PG in another 4 months. Any truth to this??

I appreciate the responses--keep 'em coming!!
Mr.Mean Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 5:33 AM EST
Joined: 05-16-2001
Posts: 3,025
Just be careful if your credo hangs from the roof of your humidor, don't use so much that it may drip. That would be too much.
CJBully Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 6:36 AM EST
Joined: 07-31-2002
Posts: 753
my personal credo is "please, don't let me get the drip".

};{>
GranpaTex Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 6:46 AM EST
Joined: 10-25-2002
Posts: 32
my experience has been with my small humi's I could never get enough % with credos. I even had four credos in a 200 count box, with very frustrating results. When I got my cabinet, holds approx 1500, I charged it and since then I use straight water. I have not had to use any solution. What's the difference? The seal, and I switched to florist foam, or whatever you call it. It works extremely well. keeps me at 70% all the time.
SteveS Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 7:00 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
the PG half of the 50/50 mix tends to regulate the rate of evaporation of the distilled water half ... using it make it much easier to keep the box at a stable RH ...
BMW Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 2:43 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 3,010
In Houston, humidity is not, NOT, a problem. Expecially as of late. I have to keep pieces of cedar moved around just to keep the humidity under 70% and my cigars evenly moisturized. I haven'yt charged the Credos in months.

Barry
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 4:07 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
listen to slimboli. you won't go wrong.

don't use credo. they do not have enough oasis in them. make your own using a soap dish (i keep the cover off for maximum area) and very, very carefully place the absolutely dry dish on top of the cigars. use only distilled water. when the top of the oasis feels dry, take the soap dish out and add only as much distilled water as the oasis will absorb.

newbies can get info from me re humidity. actually it is from someone who knows what he is doing and i copied it. [email protected]
efm Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, Nov 4 2002, 7:15 PM EST
Joined: 01-23-2001
Posts: 499
Thanks Slimboli for the clarification. Actually it was a pharacist that told me it was a "desicant". But then he also told me it was deadly poison. Incidentally, I tried three pharmacists asking for a pint of PG. None of them knew what it was. One tried to order it and said it's not available so I bought some juice for a rip off price at a smoke shop.
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