Expert: M J Robbins - 9/8/2009

Question
I live in an area where we have hard water - recently I have noticed that the humidifier in my humidor is not working the way it used to - (Moist N Aire).  I have to turn it almost all the way up to turn it on and then it will just run on an on - if you turn it down to shut it off it is not turning back on when it should.  Is this from build up inside the unit?  I was thinking of running some white vinigar through it (as you would through a coffee pot).  Would this harm the unit in any way or infuse my cigars with a bad flavor.  If you would like more info please feel free to contact me.  Or do you have any suggestions on otherwise cleaning this sealed unit?  Thank you in advance for the response.

Answer
We are talking mechanical not water problems I believe.
The moist n air just blows air over the water to humidify so if it is not going on I believe the fan is the problem.
Try taking it apart and oiling the fan? Checking the connections?

Never use white vinegar.
Use bleach to clear mold and then clean good to get all the smell out and let set a few days before restoring.
Even in a moist n air it is best to use Distilled water only.

It might be time to replace the unit just like you would a fan that does not go on or does not work at the right speed.
I've gone through many humidifiers, electric and passive, in my big humidor and in smaller test humidors that I've used in the last 30 years.

MJR