Expert: James Yee - 1/19/2008

Question
I recently received a new 200 count humidor as a gift. I Filled the humidifiers (2) with distilled water and waited till the humidity was 70
and stored my cigars(approximately 50). About 2 weeks later I noticed small white spots in the grills of the humidifiers. I have no idea what these spots are or how to treat them. Any help would be appreciated.
                             Thanks Tim

Answer
Hi Tim,

That is definitely a form of mold.  What you should first do is make sure that your hygrometer is accurately calibrated.  If it is, then make sure that your humidification device inside your humidor is not obstructed by anything.  Even though the humidity may be in the acceptable range (67-73%), mold can still form when there is an obstruction inside your humidor that causes the moisture to be highly concentrated in one specific area inside the humidor.  Obstructions are usually the result of the humidification device being too close to any trays, dividers, drawers, compartments and/or cigars themselves for a prolonged period of time.

To remove the mold, you will have to thoroughly vacuum your humidor interior and pick up as much as the powdery substance as possible (use a bristle attachment on your vacuum cleaner.)  Then, just wipe down the interior cedar and the plastic humidification housing with a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol and then distilled water again.  Don't use too much alcohol.  Use enough to moisten the wood in your humidor but don't saturate it.  

If you are using an "foam core" humidification device and the mold has formed on the aqua foam core, you will need to replace the humidification device altogether.

Hope this answers your question.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I'll be happy to help.

Regards,
James