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Post by sparks on Jul 28, 2017 8:27:21 GMT -5
So, I was grabbing a stick out of the humidor yesterday for the ride home, when I noticed something weird on my Boveda holder. I have one of those cool cedar racks that you slide the Boveda packs into and it magnets to the top of your humidor lid.  Very convenient, don't have to worry about distilled water, etc. Low and behold, I look at it close and there is mold along the vents. Now I'm not sure why as again, this thing only uses Boveda packs and they are sealed and sterile before opening them. So, I removed it and it's sitting outside the humidor. I guess my question is... how should I clean it, and should I attempt to sterilize the entire humidor? I know alcohol would work to kill the mold, but I'm not sure how good that would be for the cedar. Thoughts and opinions are appreciated. |
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Zach
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Post by Zach on Jul 28, 2017 8:34:14 GMT -5
Do a quick dip into some vigorously boiling water. Sit it out after that in the sun for a couple hours if you've got sun today. I don't know about using alcohol on the Cedar wood.
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Post by danno44 on Jul 28, 2017 8:58:21 GMT -5
Quick search says don't use regular bleach, it will damage the wood by breaking the fibers down. Oxygen bleach is recommended, and its non toxic. Good luck!
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MOLD!!!!
Jul 28, 2017 9:40:25 GMT -5
via mobile
Zach likes this
Post by billyklubb on Jul 28, 2017 9:40:25 GMT -5
I can't say about cedar specifically, but I have cleaned wood with rubbing alcohol with no I'll effects.
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zeavran1
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Post by zeavran1 on Jul 28, 2017 9:41:38 GMT -5
Sandpaper and a quick but thorough wipe with alcohol should do the trick.
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Post by sparks on Jul 28, 2017 9:43:08 GMT -5
Well, since I don't sit around and wait for anything, I decided to take action. I lightly wiped down the holder with some rubbing alcohol in the areas where there was visible mold. I then gave it a bath in some boiling water for about 3 minutes or so and it's now outside baking in the sun (when it pops out).
Hopefully this will resolve the issue. I did notice when I found it yesterday that the humidity in my humidor was a bit higher than I prefer. I like to keep everything at about 65-68%. I think that putting 2 Bovedas in during the summer is probably a bit too much considering the relative humidity is higher this time of year.
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Post by papipeguy on Jul 28, 2017 10:45:22 GMT -5
Check your cigars too.
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Post by sparks on Jul 28, 2017 10:49:35 GMT -5
Already done. They are all clear. Upside was, I found a few cigars I forgot I had at the bottom. I really think this was a case of not needing 2 Bovedas. The RH inside was almost 75% when I found it yesterday. I suspect that it was higher on the Boveda holder itself and was enough to get them little spores going. |
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Post by crapgame on Jul 28, 2017 10:52:23 GMT -5
darn lucky you found this now!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2017 13:15:59 GMT -5
Man, that sucks. Sometimes it seems to happen for totally random, mysterious reasons. I posted the other day that I had a single Opus X go moldy, when everything else around it was fine and the humi was at 62%.
Weird that it only affected your holder, because cedar is supposed to inhibit mold. What % Bovedas are you using? They *should* regulate themselves - meaning that even if you have 5 packets in there, it should stay at the designated level. I use 65%.
And do you re-hydrate and reuse the packets? I do, and once I hadn't dried it off well enough and that bit of moisture on it resulted in mold growth.
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Post by sparks on Jul 28, 2017 16:06:00 GMT -5
Weird that it only affected your holder, because cedar is supposed to inhibit mold. What % Bovedas are you using? They *should* regulate themselves - meaning that even if you have 5 packets in there, it should stay at the designated level. I use 65%. I use 75%, because I have found that anything less and I can't even keep my humidor at 68. Though, I do have less cigars in there recently and with it being summer, I'm sure one packet will suffice. I do not. I always do new. |
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Post by Darin on Jul 28, 2017 16:11:24 GMT -5
It's a good idea to check that hygrometer a couple of times a year for accuracy.
I prefer and recommend the "Salt Test" ... here's an example:
www.wikihow.com/Test-a-Hygrometer
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Post by billyklubb on Jul 28, 2017 19:43:10 GMT -5
It's a good idea to check that hygrometer a couple of times a year for accuracy.
I prefer and recommend the "Salt Test" ... here's an example:
www.wikihow.com/Test-a-Hygrometer
Thanks for the reminder! I need to test mine. |
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,044
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
Location:
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Post by Zach on Jul 28, 2017 20:33:53 GMT -5
It's not a mystery, though. A box that can breath in air, is enclosed, and is maintained above 60% humidity inside is like a Petri dish and is the ideal climate for mold. It's like cigars are kept stored in a perfect to grow mold environment, while sealed tins and pipe tobaccos sealed in mason jars do the opposite and encourage anaerobic aging instead.
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zeavran1
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Post by zeavran1 on Jul 28, 2017 21:01:07 GMT -5
A well kept humidor creates very little mold on cigars. In fact I've smoked cigars for 10 years and pipes for 3 years and in that time I've had more mold in mason jars than cigars. Very few times mind you but more pipe tobacco has been lost.
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Post by sparks on Jul 29, 2017 9:09:06 GMT -5
It's a good idea to check that hygrometer a couple of times a year for accuracy.
I prefer and recommend the "Salt Test" ... here's an example:
www.wikihow.com/Test-a-Hygrometer
I am due to test it. |
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Post by qmechanics on Sept 5, 2018 3:37:50 GMT -5
I would not keep my cigars at 75% humidity (even 70% is a bit to high). My cigars stay between around 62-65% tops. If it drops too low before I can get to it (I have a few humidors),the worse thing that happens is they become a little dry which is easily remedied. Excess moisture however can ruin a cigar by producing mold(There is no coming back from mold), not to mention poor taste and smoking qualities. If one's humidor cannot keep humidity,I would replace or repair it; if possible.
PS I would buy a nice digital hydrometer as well.
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Post by Pistol Pete 1911 on Sept 9, 2018 19:17:59 GMT -5
Well, since I don't sit around and wait for anything, I decided to take action. I lightly wiped down the holder with some rubbing alcohol in the areas where there was visible mold. I then gave it a bath in some boiling water for about 3 minutes or so and it's now outside baking in the sun (when it pops out). Hopefully this will resolve the issue. I did notice when I found it yesterday that the humidity in my humidor was a bit higher than I prefer. I like to keep everything at about 65-68%. I think that putting 2 Bovedas in during the summer is probably a bit too much considering the relative humidity is higher this time of year. I don't think this its your problem. Bovidas are supposed to release humidity until they reach the desired percentage then maintain it, if the humidity gets to high the Bovida is supposed to suck the humidity back in maintaining a pretty consistent level. Thats what I was told by the rep but he could have full of crap and just wanted to sell me more? I would also use a gel pack with 50/50 propylene glycol and distilled water to keep the mold at bay |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2018 19:25:59 GMT -5
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Post by Darin on Sept 9, 2018 19:36:13 GMT -5
Another necro-bump! Also, the answer to the culprit's question is "There must be some kinda way outta here"!  |
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Post by LSUTigersFan on Sept 9, 2018 20:12:05 GMT -5
So, I was grabbing a stick out of the humidor yesterday for the ride home, when I noticed something weird on my Boveda holder. I have one of those cool cedar racks that you slide the Boveda packs into and it magnets to the top of your humidor lid. Very convenient, don't have to worry about distilled water, etc. Low and behold, I look at it close and there is mold along the vents. Now I'm not sure why as again, this thing only uses Boveda packs and they are sealed and sterile before opening them. So, I removed it and it's sitting outside the humidor. I guess my question is... how should I clean it, and should I attempt to sterilize the entire humidor? I know alcohol would work to kill the mold, but I'm not sure how good that would be for the cedar. Thoughts and opinions are appreciated. I hate that the glue does not hold the Boveda rack to the top of my humidor. It's a good idea, but I do not think that Gorilla Glue is the answer. Suggestions? |
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Post by sparks on Sept 9, 2018 21:28:39 GMT -5
Heavy duty magnet
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