Desktop humi frustrations

[Rocket Scientologist]

Is it pointless to put HF beads in a cheap humidor like in this case? Or would the HF beads still work, but just need to be recharged more often?

[CamoSutra]

Is it pointless to put HF beads in a cheap humidor like in this case? Or would the HF beads still work, but just need to be recharged more often?

Heartfelt beads work very well, but they aren't miracle workers. If a humidor is too leaky and the surrounding environment is too dry, they simply cannot adequately maintain RH and you need to fix the leak or get a new humidor.

For a lesser problem, HF beads or Bovedas will probably keep the cigars safe and smokable, but perhaps not as high as the devices are rated for. In such a case, you might use 70% HF beads, or Bovedas at 69% to 72%, just to maintain ~65% RH. I would not recommend higher-RH devices such as 75% Bovedas, unless you are willing to check the RH, without fail, every single day; if the home atmosphere's RH rises, as it will in spring most places, you could quickly end up with overly moist cigars and possibly a mold problem. Fortunately, Bovedas can be recharged a few times and HF beads can be recharged as often as necessary; it's just a little more work to do.