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Cigars/Florist sponge (Oasis)

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Expert: - 5/12/2009


Question
Hi James,

Hope your week is going well.

I would like to add a "green sponge" otherwise known as an oasis sponge to my humidor. Seems the top level is still holdig low levels at 66% - 65%.
My question is, what is the correct procedure to add this sponge to the humidor? My obvious concern is mold. Do I drench the sponge in dist. water and just place it in there and not worry? On a dish?

Thanking you in advance!

Answer
Hi Thomas,

It's actually better to purchase an extra oasis sponge humidification device rather than use a raw piece of florist sponge. If you want to prevent mold, simply use a 50/50 mixture of propylene glycol and distilled water in your humidor.  Propylene Glycol is more effective in a proper humidification device than it is on a regular piece of aquafoam.  With a proper humidification device, you also have a better chance of achieving a proper humidity output.

If you prefer to use florist sponge, simply take a piece of it and soak it in distilled water.  Once the foam has been saturated, thoroughly rinse it clean with some more distilled water to remove as much dust and dirt from it as possible.  (Aquafoam/florist sponge tends to have a lot of dust or powdered sediment embedded in the pores.)

Once the foam is clean and fully saturated with distilled water, place the foam in your humidor on a small dish.  A really good method is to place it in a tupperware container and drill small holes into the lid.  This will help regulate the humidity.  Do not allow the foam to come in direct contact with the cedar interior as direct contact can damage/stain the wood.

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

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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