Humidification question

[Bearded Texan]

So On xikars website they claim there crystal gel humidifiers provide 2 way humidity control. I have seen multiple post on here as well as on bovedas website that this may not be true. What has been y’alls experience with this? I have a cheap second hand glass top humidor that im currently using a floral foam humidifier.

[Regiampiero]

So On xikars website they claim there crystal gel humidifiers provide 2 way humidity control. I have seen multiple post on here as well as on bovedas website that this may not be true. What has been y’alls experience with this? I have a cheap second hand glass top humidor that im currently using a floral foam humidifier.

The crystals are not really 2-way humidification unless you use two jars, one fully charged and one partly charged. The crystal jars aren't bad, but they're also not ideal unless combined with beads to suck up excess moisture. Boveda packs combine both gel (aka crystals) with beads, so you get that 2-way action. When you see the percentage in a Boveda pack (like 67%) that refers to the beads, witch means they are calibrated to suck up moisture until the atmospheric humidity is at 67%.

On the other hand floral foam is absolute garbage housing all sorts of mold waiting to get on your cigars.

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[Emperor Zurg]

I've never seen a gel humidifier that actually offers 2 way control but there's always a first I guess. I've no idea what fluid or salt they're using in the gel so it's possible I guess but I would doubt its effectiveness.

I have a few gel tubes in a couple humidors (not xikar ones) but I have at least 1 boveda in each as well to suck up extra humidity. Seems to be a good combo too. The gel humidifiers keep the boveda from drying out too quickly.

[josh lucky 13]

Never used the gel tubes but bovada and silica kitty litter work for me

[Bearded Texan]

They use a propylene glycol/distilled water solution. Propylene glycol is used in the oilfield to remove water from natural gas. So it could totally be possible if use there solutions to charge the crystals.

[jhedrick83]

If so, that's a new one on me. There are a few two way products out there like the bovedas, Heartfelt Beads, etc. Never heard of a gel that's two ways. The crystal Kitty Litter works though.

[Nature]

If it uses propylene glycol to regulate humidity, it will be partially two-way to a point.
PPG will vary the rate of or RH level depending upon its concentration. 50/50 mix with water will maintain a RH of about 70% as I recall.

As the ppg solution absorbs water vapor, it becomes more dilute. As it becomes more dilute, the humidity it maintains gradually increases.

Likewise, in dryer environments, the ppg solution releases water vapor, but also becomes more concentrated. The rh level maintained will gradually decrease in relation to how concentrated it becomes.

From Xikar’s site

XIKAR’s Propylene Glycol (PG Solution) maintains 70% RH. Distilled water evaporates quickly and creates humidification fluctuations. XIKAR's proprietary mix of PG Solution is calculated to match the water absorption rate with the rate at which PG biodegrades, resulting in a humidor that will not over saturate with PG. Maintains 70% RH for a "humidor fresh" smoke. Competitive mixtures of PG Solution often contain an incorrect mix resulting in a clogged humidifier

This statement that I emphasized “rate with the rate at which PG biodegrades” leaves some questions for me.

[Bearded Texan]

Propylene glycol is used in everything from foods to medicine. The crystals have to be recharged when they dry out, and are supposed to be replaced annually.