Cigar Weekly

roadhawg · 02-28-2008, 09:59 AM

Has anyone experienced their humi beads turning dark grey, with some even black? I've used Heartfelt beads for several years and they are great, just needing a spray "touch-up" with DI water every 3 weeks or so. Yesterday, I noticed that the beads had gone very dark (almost a caviar look, but I haven't tasted them yet). The humi was still holding well and there have been no big temperature variations, so I'm wondering if it is time to start with a fresh supply of beads, to ensure I don't have a fungus or something? I was unable to get on Viper's website this afternoon to ask, so thought I'd post here to see if anyone has had a similar occurence. Thanks & regards --RH

H311oLHD · 02-28-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadhawg

Has anyone experienced their humi beads turning dark grey, with some even black? I've used Heartfelt beads for several years and they are great, just needing a spray "touch-up" with DI water every 3 weeks or so. Yesterday, I noticed that the beads had gone very dark (almost a caviar look, but I haven't tasted them yet). The humi was still holding well and there have been no big temperature variations, so I'm wondering if it is time to start with a fresh supply of beads, to ensure I don't have a fungus or something? I was unable to get on Viper's website this afternoon to ask, so thought I'd post here to see if anyone has had a similar occurence. Thanks & regards --RH

RH - I've heard of this happening and it has started to happen to mine (a few dark ones, some turning a brown shade). Although it's not the best/ideal situation for your beads, they should still function as they always do. Once you see them not functioning properly (over time, this can cause them to break down and not work) I would suggest replacing them. Also - make sure they aren't touching any of your cigars. I believe it is a form of mold, but nothing to cause any trouble. I looked this info up from Viper over on CP about 3 weeks ago. I hope Viper can come in and confirm what I've just written, but that's the best info I can give you without having a conversation with David.

-Aaron

pinto · 02-28-2008, 11:59 AM

I've had them turn a dark yellow, almost like they are absorbing nicotine or something.

Cloud9Bob · 02-28-2008, 09:06 PM

Yeah...the yellow thing is normal over time, but black? Never heard of this.

vicsteele · 02-29-2008, 07:45 AM

Sorry to say but that is mold growing on those beads. You might want to get them out and clean them off to be safe.

spiny norman · 02-29-2008, 01:28 PM

Beads are cheap compared to cigars. If in doubt, I would replace them.

Rob G · 02-29-2008, 05:32 PM

Ask David (Viper) - he'll tell what you need to do.

mealstrom · 03-01-2008, 06:37 PM

I've had them turn dark brown after using tap water. Didn't get that problem with distilled water.

As I understand it, the impurities in the water clog up the pores in the beads, which causes them to get dark. I'd get some new ones.

tornado · 03-03-2008, 07:46 PM

I'd almost be tempted to try to clean them. Sort of like a water softener has to clean its own beads using salt water. Maybe put them into a mesh bag and soak in some salt water overnight, then rinse thoroughly? That would probably kill anything growing on them.

Rob G · 03-04-2008, 03:40 AM

Just call Heartfelt and ask David what you should do. No need to guess.

02-28-2008, 09:59 AM	#1
roadhawg Contributing Editor Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 835	Beads turning black? Has anyone experienced their humi beads turning dark grey, with some even black? I've used Heartfelt beads for several years and they are great, just needing a spray "touch-up" with DI water every 3 weeks or so. Yesterday, I noticed that the beads had gone very dark (almost a caviar look, but I haven't tasted them yet). The humi was still holding well and there have been no big temperature variations, so I'm wondering if it is time to start with a fresh supply of beads, to ensure I don't have a fungus or something? I was unable to get on Viper's website this afternoon to ask, so thought I'd post here to see if anyone has had a similar occurence. Thanks & regards --RH __________________ "The Roadhawg"

02-28-2008, 11:59 AM	#3
pinto Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 966	I've had them turn a dark yellow, almost like they are absorbing nicotine or something. __________________ PINTO -"The bottle was dusty, but the liquor was clean" Charter Member, MCLC “Making others green with envy”™

02-28-2008, 09:06 PM	#4
Cloud9Bob Contributing Editor Herf Meister Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New York Posts: 5,365	Yeah...the yellow thing is normal over time, but black? Never heard of this. __________________ "It takes a long time to understand nothing"

02-29-2008, 07:45 AM	#5
vicsteele Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Between here and there Posts: 1,418	Sorry to say but that is mold growing on those beads. You might want to get them out and clean them off to be safe. __________________ Mmmmmm. Leather.

02-29-2008, 01:28 PM	#6
spiny norman Contributing Editor Herf Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Cross Timbers forest of TX Posts: 9,563	Beads are cheap compared to cigars. If in doubt, I would replace them. __________________ In memorium of Ed Geuvera aka Cubano67. May he rest in eternal peace.

02-29-2008, 05:32 PM	#7
Rob G Contributing Editor Herf God Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Camillus, NY Posts: 16,121	Ask David (Viper) - he'll tell what you need to do. __________________ Rob If people can tell me where to smoke, I can tell them where to go, too.

03-01-2008, 06:37 PM	#8
mealstrom Herf Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 8,451	I've had them turn dark brown after using tap water. Didn't get that problem with distilled water. As I understand it, the impurities in the water clog up the pores in the beads, which causes them to get dark. I'd get some new ones. __________________ Member of the 2006 Noob Coalition (06NC)

03-03-2008, 07:46 PM	#9
tornado Club Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,294	I'd almost be tempted to try to clean them. Sort of like a water softener has to clean its own beads using salt water. Maybe put them into a mesh bag and soak in some salt water overnight, then rinse thoroughly? That would probably kill anything growing on them.

03-04-2008, 03:40 AM	#10
Rob G Contributing Editor Herf God Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Camillus, NY Posts: 16,121	Just call Heartfelt and ask David what you should do. No need to guess. __________________ Rob If people can tell me where to smoke, I can tell them where to go, too.