Greetings all,
I revamped one of my cricket breeding box, using a bird water feeder instead of water crystals, like so... (the mostly-female population are hiding in the egg crates)
Did the same for the baby box and they were quick, learning to drink from feeder.
The biggest advantage I can think of is being visually able to see the remaining water level, a small drinking area being the only downside.
It will work, the only problem that may show up is that using an absorbent like the cotton will harbor bacteria and will begin to really stink if not changed daily! Any type of moisture source that will prevent drowning can be used. The reason water jell is so popular is it dries out before it has a chance to start to stink.
But with crickets you already have the stink factor so you may not be able to tell at all. You will still need to change out the medium every day or so to keep from spreading bacteria and disease though.