Expert: James Yee - 2/15/2009

Question
Hi James,

I have a question regarding PG. I got a whoel keg of PG from my friend's dad works in a chemicals export company. I've prepared a solution of 50% PG/ 50% distilled water and saturated my humidifier with it.

When I opened up my humidor the next day, the pungent vapour was overwhelming. I'm wondering if it may be industrial grade PG and not food grade; and more importantly, I'm concerned it may destroy my stogies!

From google research, it seems that the difference between industrial and food grade PG is level of purity. Can you kindly advise me on what to do?

Answer
Hi Choong,

Industrial-grade Propylene Glycol can be extremely pungent for your cigars as well as cause allergic reactions (skin and respiratory irritant) for some people so it's best that you stop using this PG immediately and switch to a food-grade/commercial-grade PG which is properly diluted and safer to use in a humidor.

The first thing you should do is take your humidification device and thoroughly flush the element clean with distilled water.  Rinse it with distilled water for at least 10 minutes to remove the PG.  You will need to remove as much of the PG from the element as possible.  Once the humidifier is flushed clean, you will need to pick up a bottle of food-grade PG from your friend's father (if he has any) or purchase a bottle from your local cigar store.  You can also buy food-grade Propylene Glycol from most drug stores and pharmacies as well as order it from the Internet.

Because you used industrial PG for a very short time, I don't think your cigars are in any danger.  Switch to proper PG and your humidor and cigars should be fine.

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

Regards,
James