Cigars/mold on humidifier element
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Question
i just checked the element pad in my new humidor which has been in use for
)
roughly two months, and i see mold growing on it between the plastic
cutouts, on the mesh beneath. its a savoy humidor, and ive only used
distilled water in it, rewetting it about once a month or so. the hygrometer
says its been keeping around 60% humidity. no signs of mold on the wood.
can the humidifier element be cleaned and saved or what do i need to do?
any help is greatly appreciated. thanks, jim ps ive sent a picture too, the
white spots are the mold
Hi Jim,
Sometimes a small trace of residual bacteria (such as a dirty fingerprint mark) is more than enough for mold to form in your humidor. The good news is that if the mold is spotted early, your humidification device can indeed be saved.
The first step is to remove the element core from the black plastic housing and inspect that for traces of mold. If mold is found on the element core, you can either THOROUGHLY flush the element clean with 100% distilled water or replace the element altogether. If you attempt to clean the element, be sure to use lots of distilled water to flush the element clean. (Some people also find it best to let the element thoroughly dry out first, vacuum it with a soft-bristle vacuum attachment and then flush it clean with distilled water as this will eliminate more residual mold particles.)
For the plastic housing, thoroughly wash it with dish-washing soap and water. Scrub the plastic housing with a clean brush (a brand new toothbrush works well for cleaning the grill on the housing) and then rinse with distilled water. Rinsing with tap water can cause chalky mineral trace to appear. Next, be sure to wipe the plastic housing completely dry with a lint-free cloth.
You should also have your hygrometer salt-tested and calibrated for accuracy. If the humidor's humidity is too high, be sure to balance it out with Propylene Glycol or pre-mixed 50/50 solution.
If mold continues to appear in your humidor, make sure your hygrometer is accurate and check the humidity level. Mold can sometimes be tricky to eliminate and can reappear if not completely purged so usually the best action is to replace the humidification device altogether.
Hopes this helps. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
James
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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