Experience with Molecular Sieves So Far (Humidity)

[RickHendeson]

Well after a lot of research, polling, etc., I decided to experiment with using molecular sieves as my humidification medium in a 100qt cooler. I used 2 pounds, there being only sparse guidance out there as to whether this is overkill.

I decided to go for 4A (4 angstrom) beads. They also sell 3A (3 angstrom). (It is rumored that HCM beads are 3A molecular sieves.)

So far, the results are pretty awesome. They do seem to maintain humidity even in the face of opening the cooler, etc. I do not notice the smell I got from Heartfelt beads, which eventually I got tired of due to flaking / fussy (can't spray water directly on them) / having to recharge too often.

My coolidor does leak a bit so every couple weeks I've got to put a small sponge soaked in purified water in there overnight. The next day the humidity is back up and persists at a steady level for quite a while, then slowly dwindles. I'm fairly confident that if I made it leak-proof, humidity would persist indefinitely.

I would be curious to have more people experiment with molecular sieves and tell me their experiences. BTW the cheapest vendor I found was Delta Adsorbents.

Caveat their products are made in China which I know some (PigFish) balked at, but I can't say I've seen anything radiantly evil about them so far.

Edit: To avoid confusion, you can NOT spray water directly on the sieves, either. That would be disastrous. But they seem to be better than Heartfelt, at least for me, as (1) they appear to charge more quickly and hold the charge longer, and (2) way cheaper by volume.

[Cisco]

I just had a quick look at these because I use HCM beads, which I really like and these appear to be the same. However, a quick look at the health and safety information looks scary. Have you looked at these?

For instance, from the Delta site:

Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure to airborne contaminants below the exposure limit.

Personal Protection: Safety glasses. Lab coat. Gloves. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved certified respirator or equivalent.

Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill: Splash goggles. Full suit. Dust respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist before handling this product.

Exposure Limits: Not available.

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[Maplepie]

However, a quick look at the health and safety information looks scary. Have you looked at these?

For instance, from the Delta site:

Personal Protection

Personal Protection: Safety glasses. Lab coat. Gloves. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved certified respirator or equivalent.

Meh. They tell you this for everything. On the Material Safety Data Sheet for water, they tell me to use gloves and only glassware to handle it. They also tell me to avoid spilling it on my hands.

Jokes on them. I drink it every day, lol!

But seriously...

Keep in mind that heartfelt beads are a TYPE of molecular sieves. So are activated charcoal and clay.

4A mesh would probably be made out of aluminocilicates (a type of specialised glass) and might fracture into dust pieces if handled too vigorously. In this case, I would follow Cisco's recommendations and say it's a bit excessive - mostly since molecular sieves aren't food grade. I wouldn't use any chemicals that aren't food grade in contact with consumables.

[Hunter1974]

Damn I don't know what to do now !I was about to order heart felt

[RickHendeson]

Meh. They tell you this for everything. On the Material Safety Data Sheet for water, they tell me to use gloves and only glassware to handle it. They also tell me to avoid spilling it on my hands.

Jokes on them. I drink it every day, lol!

But seriously...

Keep in mind that heartfelt beads are a TYPE of molecular sieves. So are activated charcoal and clay.

4A mesh would probably be made out of aluminocilicates (a type of specialised glass) and might fracture into dust pieces if handled too vigorously. In this case, I would follow Cisco's recommendations and say it's a bit excessive - mostly since molecular sieves aren't food grade. I wouldn't use any chemicals that aren't food grade in contact with consumables.

Well supposedly the FDA has approved them, at least 4A, if my research proved right. But if I'm wrong, I'm all ears!!!

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=182.2727

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_sieve#FDA_approval

[Rye]

I feel smarter after reading this!

[RickHendeson]

I just had a quick look at these because I use HCM beads, which I really like and these appear to be the same. However, a quick look at the health and safety information looks scary. Have you looked at these?

For instance, from the Delta site:

Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure to airborne contaminants below the exposure limit.

Personal Protection: Safety glasses. Lab coat. Gloves. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved certified respirator or equivalent.

Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill: Splash goggles. Full suit. Dust respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist before handling this product.

Exposure Limits: Not available.

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Have you seen/received the MSDS for HCM beads? I'd be curious to read it myself . . .

[HarveyBoulevard]

I feel smarter after reading this!

I don't. I feel even more dumberer!

[rtrimbath]

I wish I had read this a few months ago. 3 lbs of heartfelt took me to the cleaners! Would have been nice to give this a shot.

[Cisco]

Have you seen/received the MSDS for HCM beads? I'd be curious to read it myself . . .

No, and I just had a look at the site and could not find any more information.

In the instructions it does say:

The beads are a 100% clay product with no chemical additives and are very safe and non-toxic. They are designed to control the humidity in your humidor and scavenge free ammonia. The bags are made of 100% polyester knit fabric and the canisters are made of polypropylene and vinyl. We use the absolute best and purest products available, chosen with cigars in mind.

I do wish more information was provided.

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[Maplepie]

Well supposedly the FDA has approved them, at least 4A, if my research proved right. But if I'm wrong, I'm all ears!!!

If it's food grade, that's all fine for contact with edibles.

Just, of course, don't eat it!

[Cisco]

Well supposedly the FDA has approved them, at least 4A, if my research proved right. But if I'm wrong, I'm all ears!!!

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=182.2727

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_sieve#FDA_approval

Thanks for the additional info.

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[RickHendeson]

Was just discussing this recently -- has anyone done anything more with these, just by chance? My experience has pretty much remained unchanged. I will say that if the sieves are handled too roughly, they can produce a little dust. I don't have any reason to move them at all, so that doesn't concern me. Also I'm just using nylon as a bag. May investigate a mirco-mesh bag, just as overkill.

[tomj]

I bought the HCM beads after reading about them on here. Have had them for around 7 months now. They work perfect.

[MarkinOR]

I've been a member of a couple of good cigar forum' in the past.  Club Stogie and Cigar Asylum to be exact.  It was here that Heartfelt Beads and HCM beads came to my attention, and research was conducted accordingly on both.  The original owner of HCM was a member of both forums, and later sold HCM to a member (and current member of Cigar Asylum).  Five years ago, I made a choice and went with HCM beads for my Igloo coolers.  They arrive at 65%RH (unless you specify on ordering your required RH, and they will be adjusted accordingly for you).  I can say that they hold the desired RH with no problem.  I can say, as has been mentioned above, that if there is a drop in RH, some distilled water on a sponge provided by HCM will take care of the RH overnight...