Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 8/26/2010

Question
I have white spots are all over my humidifier located in the humidor.  The humidor is reading 75 in humidity which is probably too high. I have left the humidor open for 1 hour hoping the humidity would drop but it did not.  My initial setup of the humidor (digital hydrometer) was 2 weeks ago and can't get the humidity level to drop.  Is my humidifier ruined?  How do I get the humidity level to drop?  Is it to soon to panic?

Answer
Steven,

It sounds like you have mold growing on the humidifier, but its hard to be sure without seeing it. Mold is typically more gray than white, and it looks "hairy" as it grows. If the spots are just flat, white spots it could be that the humidifier was wet on the exterior, and either got a little dust stuck on it or that the solution you put in it left a little residue as it dried.

Unless your humidor is starting to smell musty, don't be too worried. If you don't think the spots are mold, just wipe them off and see if they come back. If they are mold, you can mix a teaspoon of bleach in a cup of water, and wipe the humidifier and humidor down with that solution. The bleach will kill any mold spores and the slight aroma will dissipate quickly without harming the cigars.

Assuming you have the humidor inside your home or office, and the temperature is around 72-75 degrees, 75% relative humidity is too high. However, hygrometers are notorious for being inaccurate, so don't trust that reading unless you have checked it. You can either use your own home-made calibration method, or you can use the "Boveda" brand calibration kit which can be purchased from most reputable tobacco shops. If you are interested in making your own kit - a simple salt test - email me at b.finck@finckcigarcompany.com and I'll email you back the instructions. I wrote a "humidors 101" paper that answers most basic humidor questions, and includes he calibration method. Its just too long to post here.

Hope this helps - don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help.

Thanks,
Bill