Cigar Weekly

vicsteele · 05-11-2006, 11:18 AM

I bought a ten pound bag of the Ultra Pearl pure silica beads kitty litter. I seasoned them in a big tupperware until they reached 65%. I slapped them into a panty hose sausage and it has been keeping my coolerdor at 65% now for 2 months. I have 7 boxes of cigars and an oust fan in it. This was the best invention yet.

Smoker06 · 05-11-2006, 11:28 AM

Thanks for the update.

Can you explain the seasoned to 65% part? I'm interested in how you did that.

KatDad · 05-11-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoker06

Thanks for the update.

Can you explain the seasoned to 65% part? I'm interested in how you did that.

Me too!

Ringbill · 05-11-2006, 07:20 PM

I'm having a hell of a time finding Ultra Pearls...anyone got an online source for these? I see them on the website and searched their online retailers, but am yet to fine one.

Thanks!

Josh

Rob G · 05-11-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatDad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoker06

Thanks for the update.

Can you explain the seasoned to 65% part? I'm interested in how you did that.

Me too!

Me three.

~Cohiba Luver~ · 05-11-2006, 11:04 PM

I came across this topic in a simlar thread on another cigar forum where "cigarnv" posted his method of conditioning kitty litter. Cut and pasted below for the benefit of CWreaders ...

"As for conditioning silica gel the process is quite simple..

1) Place your silica gel (kitty litter) in a plastic container that seals well. Large shallow containers work best as it exposes more beads.
2) Place a dish ,with a very wet sponge on it,on top of the gel so the wet sponge does not touch the gel. Place your hygrometer in the container so you can see the humidity. Seal the container.
3) Over a few days the humidity will rise as the silica gel absorbs moisture. When it gets to your desired "set point" remove the sponge, stir the beads and reseal. Let the beads rest for a day or two to insure the humidity is where you want it. If it is low toss the sponge back in, If high crack the lid to leave some dry air in.
4) Use the beads. As your beads discolor or crack just toss them out."

Again, I haven't actually tried this so I can't vouch for its efficacy, but cigarnv sounds like a guy who's in the know about such things...

audio1der · 05-12-2006, 06:21 AM

I'm all for home-brew inventions, and I applaud you for trying this.
It just seems far from 'set and forget', is all.

SmoKerch · 05-12-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Cohiba Luver~

... 4) Use the beads. As your beads discolor or crack just toss them out...

What do you use to get them out?

A pooper scooper? :P

xrundog · 05-12-2006, 10:05 AM

Exquisicat is another brand used that is sold by PetSmart.

From the description, there is really no "seasoning" or "conditioning" The material is allowed to absorb moisture until your desired RH is attained. Then you remove the moisture source. Pretty simple.

The downside compared to beads in my mind is that with the beads, you just add water to them (beads) and, as long as you don't saturate them, you get 65%.

The litter requires a little more precision in charging. But not much. And it will absorb excess RH. But if ambient RH goes above 65%, you have to dry it out and start all over. Then what RH will you get?

I GOTTA make a trip to PetSmart and get some ExuisiCat so I can answer the questions in my mind.

jwrussell · 05-12-2006, 11:01 AM

All RIGHT! Someone got Xrun interested!!!

I can't wait to see what you find out.

05-11-2006, 11:18 AM	#1
vicsteele Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Between here and there Posts: 1,418	Kitty litter update I bought a ten pound bag of the Ultra Pearl pure silica beads kitty litter. I seasoned them in a big tupperware until they reached 65%. I slapped them into a panty hose sausage and it has been keeping my coolerdor at 65% now for 2 months. I have 7 boxes of cigars and an oust fan in it. This was the best invention yet. __________________ Mmmmmm. Leather.

05-11-2006, 11:28 AM	#2
Smoker06 Herf God Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 11,099	Thanks for the update. Can you explain the seasoned to 65% part? I'm interested in how you did that. __________________ When in doubt.... ATTACK!

05-11-2006, 07:20 PM	#4
Ringbill Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Havana, IL Posts: 192	I'm having a hell of a time finding Ultra Pearls...anyone got an online source for these? I see them on the website and searched their online retailers, but am yet to fine one. Thanks! Josh __________________ Retrievers save game.

05-12-2006, 06:21 AM	#7
audio1der Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, AB Canada Posts: 1,086	I'm all for home-brew inventions, and I applaud you for trying this. It just seems far from 'set and forget', is all. __________________ Cuban cigar snob #1.

05-11-2006, 11:04 PM	#6
~Cohiba Luver~ Starting Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 8	I came across this topic in a simlar thread on another cigar forum where "cigarnv" posted his method of conditioning kitty litter. Cut and pasted below for the benefit of CWreaders ... "As for conditioning silica gel the process is quite simple.. 1) Place your silica gel (kitty litter) in a plastic container that seals well. Large shallow containers work best as it exposes more beads. 2) Place a dish ,with a very wet sponge on it,on top of the gel so the wet sponge does not touch the gel. Place your hygrometer in the container so you can see the humidity. Seal the container. 3) Over a few days the humidity will rise as the silica gel absorbs moisture. When it gets to your desired "set point" remove the sponge, stir the beads and reseal. Let the beads rest for a day or two to insure the humidity is where you want it. If it is low toss the sponge back in, If high crack the lid to leave some dry air in. 4) Use the beads. As your beads discolor or crack just toss them out." Again, I haven't actually tried this so I can't vouch for its efficacy, but cigarnv sounds like a guy who's in the know about such things...

05-12-2006, 10:05 AM	#9
xrundog Contributing Editor Herf Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central, Iowa Posts: 9,806	Exquisicat is another brand used that is sold by PetSmart. From the description, there is really no "seasoning" or "conditioning" The material is allowed to absorb moisture until your desired RH is attained. Then you remove the moisture source. Pretty simple. The downside compared to beads in my mind is that with the beads, you just add water to them (beads) and, as long as you don't saturate them, you get 65%. The litter requires a little more precision in charging. But not much. And it will absorb excess RH. But if ambient RH goes above 65%, you have to dry it out and start all over. Then what RH will you get? I GOTTA make a trip to PetSmart and get some ExuisiCat so I can answer the questions in my mind.

05-12-2006, 11:01 AM	#10
jwrussell Herf Meister Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 6,963	All RIGHT! Someone got Xrun interested!!! I can't wait to see what you find out.