Expert: James Yee - 7/28/2009

Question
Dear James,

Would like to ask if using "battery water" instead of distilled water is fine?

I bought my first humidor the other day and was looking for distilled water all over town but couldn't find any. So I went to a petrol station and bought battery water instead. However, a friend told me that battery water may sometimes be a bit acidic. So I bought Litmus Paper and tested the pH level of the batter water and it was around 5.5.

It says on the net that distilled water ideally has a pH of 7, but when exposed to air, it would turn slightly acidic.

Thanks,

TJ

Answer
Hi TJ,

"Battery water" is made with distilled water so it can be used in humidors.  ***HOWEVER, battery water may contain sulpheric acid or another hazardous chemical (to create an electrolyte mixture for lead acid batteries) so if this particular brand of battery water contains an ingredient other than distilled water, DO NOT put it in your humidor.  Only use battery water if the ONLY ingredient is distilled water.  Using battery water containing sulpheric acid in your humidor will ruin your humidification device.  The sulpheric acid is also exo-thermic and can fuse with your cigars so if you were to smoke the cigars, it will give your mouth a bad chemical burn.

Be sure to read the bottle label carefully to find out what ingredients are added to the battery water.  If the battery water is only made with distilled water and has no other ingredient added to it, it's fine to use in your humidor.  If it has another type of chemical added, do not use it.

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.