Expert: James Yee - 8/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased a new humidor.  While seasoning mold developed.  I’ve heard that I can place the whole humidor in my freezer to kill the spores, clean and begin the seasoning process again.

Any advice on this method?

Thanks!
Brian


ANSWER: Hi Brian,

Freezing a humidor or cigars to stop mold isn't as effective as other mold-treating methods.  Mold is a bacterial fungus growth that can become dormant when frozen but reanimate when eventually thawed.  (In fact, it will thrive even more on the excess moisture during thawing.)  Placing an entire humidor in a freezer can also damage the construction or finish.  For cigars, freezing them should only be done to treat tobacco beetles, not mold.

To remove mold from a humidor, you should thoroughly vacuum and brush out all the mold and then apply a small bit of Isopropyl alcohol to the interior.  This will instantly kill any residual mold spores that vacuuming may not have picked up.  Do not use too much alcohol.  You'll want to use enough to just wet the wood but not saturate it.  After applying isopropyl alcohol to the wood, re-apply distilled water to dilute it.  

When you have finished sterilizing the humidor, it will need to be re-seasoned so re-season your humidor as you normally would.  When re-seasoning and maintaining your humidor, do not let the humidity exceed 75% humidity because it will cause mold to reappear.  

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick information!

Follow up:
1: Element:  What’s your thoughts on saving the element?  Douse with alcohol and thoroughly rinse with distilled water?  I’d like to save as it’s custom fitted in the lid.

2: Seal:  I’ve found that the hygrometer and two windows are not as air tight as I would like.  Any advice on a product to seal that does not have an odor?  Hygrometer is mounted on front through a hole.  Windows are on the front as well and framed in on the inside but don’t appear to have any type of calking to provide a seal.
Thanks again!
Brian

Answer
Hi Brian,

1. Alcohol may ruin your humidification element so I would suggest that you try to thoroughly flush it clean with distilled water first.  If you have to use alcohol to kill any visible mold spores on the element, use enough to lightly moisten the surface/mold but not thoroughly saturate the element.

2. Instead of using chemical sealants to seal your humidor, you may want to consider using foam or rubber moulding that you can run along the edges of the windows and hygrometer to seal any gaps.  Chemical sealants may ruin your humidor but sticky foam/rubber moulding should be able to safely seal your humidor and not leave any chemical residue or permanent damage.

Hopes this answers your questions. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James