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Cigars/Propylene Glycol Solution

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Expert: - 4/13/2007


Question
Hello again James,

I've got my Humidor nicely seasoned now and I have purchased one of the madalines gell humidifier jars. I was just wondering if I have to keep using the propylene glycol solution every time like it says on the jar? or is it ok to saturate for a while with that, and switch to distilled water (since I've heard propylene glycol can last quite some time in a humidifier)

Thanks,
Rich

Answer
Hi Richard,

One dose of Propylene Glycol will definitely last a long time (usually a year) so just sdd one mixture of half distilled water (50%) and half Propylene Glycol (50%) to your humidification device.  After this initial dose, all you would need to do is add distilled water whenever the humidification device starts to look dry.  

Once you've added the propylene glycol/distilled water mixture, the humidity level may need a week to stabilize at 70% so don't panic if you see the humidity level dip and peak to extreme levels.  It will level out at 70% really soon and everything will be perfect.

Hopes this answers your question.

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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