Expert: James Yee - 8/23/2009

Question
Hello again James,

After seasoning my humidor, and using a store bought solution of 50% Propylene Glycol and 50% distilled water in my humidifier. I noticed a white fur on my humidifier vents. How bad is this? Will it harm the cigars? What do i do to correct it? I have not been able to put any cigars in my humidor yet either due to the humidity being to high - in the 80s. Any insight on how to lower the humidity? I have calibrated the hygrometer a couple of times now to make sure that it was reading correctly but every time i put it back in the humidor sure enough 80 something.

Thanks,

Dustin

Answer
Hi Dustin,

If your humidification device's vent can be removed, carefully remove it (keep it away from the element core) and wipe the white fuzz off with a damp paper towel.  After that, thoroughly wipe the vent with Isopropyl Alcohol and then wipe the vent dry.  The white fuzz on your humidification device is mold caused by high humidity and alcohol will sterilize the outside of the humdifier.  If the white mold has reached the foam core element inside your humidifier, you should replace it with a brand new humidifier.  Once mold has reached the porous foam, it's impossible to fully remove it.

For aquafoam-based humidification devices, the best method to lower your humidity is to use Propylene Glycol.  A 50/50 mixture should balance your humidity at 70% (it may take up to 2 weeks for the humidity to stabilize after adding the mixture.)  If after 2 weeks, the humidity is still high, add a few small drops of Propylene Glycol to fine-tune the mixture and wait another week.  50/50 is usually enough to create 70% humidity but some humidors may need more or less Propylene Glycol so you need to experiment with the ratio till it's perfect in your humidor.  Propylene Glycol can be purchased at most cigar stores, chemistry supply stores and drug stores/pharmacies.  If you have trouble finding it locally, it can also be purchased over the Internet from various retailers.

As an alternative, if a Propylene Glycol mixture isn't effective at all, you can purchase an electronic humidifier that will digitally control the humidity level.  A good electronic humidifier brand for desktop humidors is Cigar Oasis (www.cigaroasis.com) and will handle the humidity level much easier than mixing humidor solutions.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James