Humidifier Wick - long term solution

In the dry winter when the wood stove is cranking, and kids are mixing germs with school and playgroups, we get a lot of sore throats in the living room. I have a large humidifier that mostly solves the problem. However it comes with an implicit subscription to a $25 a year paper wick that doesn't seem to serve much use after it's spent.

The mechanics of the humidifier are pretty simple. A 12-in by 12-in x 2 in paper mesh sits in about 3 in of water. A fan blows dry air on the soaked paper and humid air comes out. It seems I should be able to make a permanent upgrade that obviates the need for buying this replacement part every year.

Maybe a simple cloth towel rolled up to about the same size? Cotton string or sisal rope strung like a harp with the bottoms in the water? Maybe just a fan blowing on a wet pile of sand?

The area around the wood stove needs humidity the most, which is convenient if I use a heat source to create the humidity. Like a moat of wet sand around the wood stove. But that might serve impractical. A metal pot of water on top of the wood stove helps simmer some water into the home, but it leaves a rust spot on the wood stove that at best, looks a little ugly.

Does anyone have an idea for creating a permanent replacement to this wick? Or even a replacement to the humidifier. How do you solve your humidity problems near the wood stove?

I understand your humidifier struggle. I am constantly cycling between comfortable humidity levels and condensation on our ancient windows. And if I don't push fluids for hydration I parch like an Egyptian mummy (well not quite, but a bit of a dry cough and splits on my fingers which ain't fun).

In my experience wood stoves produce lovely dry heat, but they also puff out superfine ash that can be a respiratory irritant for some. It's a thing to consider.

People with indoor fountains, pushed by a small and low energy consumption fountain pump,  complain that they constantly have to top up the water. Who would have thought that turbulent water would encourage evaporation! And it sounds nice, and can be paired with green growing things. This could be a pleasant addition to your dry zone.

Can you describe the water you have available, and why you have chosen an evaporative humidifier? High TDS would leave you little option. I can't use our well water with ultrasonic humidifiers, but the city (river) water I can get from other sources doesn't seem to leave a residue or cause irritation (set to the lowest setting). That's my go-to for localized spaces.

Tell me more about the $2500 year paper wick as I do not understand what this is...

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:
Can you describe the water you have available, and why you have chosen an evaporative humidifier? High TDS would leave you little option. I can't use our well water with ultrasonic humidifiers, but the city (river) water I can get from other sources doesn't seem to leave a residue or cause irritation (set to the lowest setting). That's my go-to for localized spaces.

I'm filling the humidifier with the water we get from the taps, which is well water that runs through a water softner to remove the metals present. Build up in the humidifier or wick hasnt been a problem as I can tell. The repeated drying / saturating of the paper wick seems to just degrade it over the year and force a replacement.

I honestly didn't give much thought to the humidifier other than "it's dry here, I'll get a big humidifier from the hardware store". Model link below

I must say, I love the idea of an open water fountain. I'm a bit worried about frequent maintenance and cleanup that will inevitably come, my kids are in the same room playing trucks and throwing balls


https://www.hardwarestore.com/136095-aircare-831-000-evaporative-humidifier-2700-sq-ft-coverage-area-120-v-075-a-white?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyc67BhDSARIsAM95QzuVclL_rK_MHhbX9cDdXWQIoHg4PNQCQeWWCPAoUNh2zbaFNC5jKY8aAng6EALw_wcB

Anne Miller wrote:Tell me more about the $2500 year paper wick as I do not understand what this is...

Not that much! $25

This piece sits in the water and gets saturated, and in my experience it doesn't last a year

https://www.discountfilters.com/humidifier-wicks-pads/airx-axppfcb43/p190151//?utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyc67BhDSARIsAM95QzudNxr8QdhJVluMYpIBw6fxuL59M2HWu1Z3wM0quJC089hdaWOiQKcaAlR2EALw_wcB

That's the catch with equipment that needs consumables. Initial cost may be low, but they'll make their money through the gear you need to keep it working. And then there's the waste. That said, since you're already invested, $25 a year seems more like a nuisance fee than a killer.

Personally I would put a kettle on the wood stove and let it rip. That's the cheap and sustainable solution. If it's completely dry on the bottom when you set it down, it shouldn't mess up the finish on the stove. My 2c.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:Personally I would put a kettle on the wood stove and let it rip. That's the cheap and sustainable solution. If it's completely dry on the bottom when you set it down, it shouldn't mess up the finish on the stove. My 2c.

Thank you, I think you are exactly right. I've gotten rid of the humidifier and put a pot of water on the stove. It works through water about 4 times faster, and it doesn't have a loud irritating fan. And it doesn't take up space.

I was worried about the rust spots, but I'm also perfectly capable of scrubbing off rust and applying high heat paint, so I'll try to keep the pot dry and not worry about it too much.