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Cigars/Electric humidifier

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Expert: - 1/22/2009


Question
HiJames,

I recently purchased an air king (holmes) humidifier very slightly used for my large cabinet humidor. I suspect that this humidifier was filled with regular tap water instead of distilled water. What should I do to clean it? Change the filter and wash the inside with distilled water and a new clean sponge?
What can happen if I continued to use regular tap water in this big humidifier or better yet, what would happen if I did not clean it properly?

As always, thanking you in advance for your expertise and looking forward to your book!

All the best James

Answer
Hi Thomas,

If you continue to use tap water in the humidifier, the humidifier may develop a chalky residue in the humidor and on the humidification device and this will compromise the performance of your humidor/humidification device.  If the tap water is particularly hard water, it may also produce either a slimey or crusty brown sediment in the humidification device.  Using tap water can also cause your cigars to develop an alkaline taste which is why it's always suggested that you only use distilled water in your humidor.

To clean your humidifier, wash and flush the reservoir thoroughly with distilled water and clean or change the filter/sponge components.  To clean the reservoir housing, you can use a dishwashing liquid soap to remove the buildup of mineral trace but you'll have to thoroughly rinse the housing clean with distilled water.

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

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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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