Wednesday, June 02 2010
Q. I just ordered a new cigar humidor. Last night, I noticed that the humidifier (simple black grated puck) in my current 50 ct. humidor was developing some mold. Luckily, it had only started and I saw no evidence of mold on any cigars or the wood.
I chucked the humidifier and ordered another, along with some Propylene Glycol solution, which I didn't bother to use before (though I did use distilled water). I know my collection, which is a pathetic 8 cigars, needs humidity. Right now, it's at 65% or so, and spiraling downward as the hours pass.
Is it harmful to set a clean open container of distilled water in my humidor to keep it above 60%, at least, while my cigars remain inside?
- Stephen in Tennessee
A. Based on your description of the situation, I would have to say No. I would be nervous about putting any open container of liquid in my humidor. Instead, place a piece of a new, clean sponge dampened with distilled water and place it in a partially opened sandwich Ziploc-type bag to let the moisture escape.
Or, with such a small number of cigars, you could seal them in a sandwich or cigar store zip bag. Any moisture they still have in them should remain stable until the unit arrives.
