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Cigars/Cigar Mold

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Expert: - 2/9/2010


Question
James, I have a further question to the one asked about cigar mold. The mold in my humidor is not noticeable on the cigars, but is on the one patch of the cedar and on the surface of the humidification insert (the plastic covered oasis). Can the oasis be cleaned by soaking in alcohol then rinsing? Or is it a goner now that it has mold in/on it? This mold is mostly brown, by the way.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Nick,

If mold has reached the foam element of your humidification device, it's best to replace it rather than attempting to clean it.  The aquafoam core is very porous and once mold has embedded itself into the porous foam, it can be extremely hard cleaning it.  It's possible to soak the foam in alcohol but you must THOROUGHLY flush the foam clean with a large amount of distilled water.  I would say replacing the humidification device itself is cheaper and less time-consuming than attempting to clean 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

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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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