Cigar Weekly

MalkavianX · 12-10-2006, 08:19 AM

Just checked my humi and noticed a cheapo cigar on the top shelf had developed a spotting of mold. No worries, just removed it.

Then, noticed the humidity was pushing 70%; that's a bit high for where I like to keep my sticks, and also unusual in that I hadn't messed with the floral foam or gel stick I have in several months. The house I'm in now must just be humid or something. At any rate, I removed the floral foam, as I know it's prone to molding, and in inspecting the cigars, I noticed mold spots on the outside of the cello of a few.

NOW, I've removed all the cello from the humidor, and all the humidification elements (hope to dry it out down to my usual 65% or 62% to make it a bit to make it less hospitable for mold)

My question is, since the majority of cigars in there were covered in cello, should I be worried that they're going to mold? The sticks themselves were flawless looking, and there was only mild spotting on 2 cello wrappers. The ambient temp the humi stays at is anywhere from the low 50s to low 60s, if that makes any difference.

Rob G · 12-10-2006, 01:52 PM

Your sticks are basically ruined at this point. Just send them to me and I'll dispose of them properly - one at a time.

You need to find out where the mold came from. I'd take all the sticks out and put them in a tupperdore. You should then thoroughly clean out your humi. Then wait a few weeks and see what happens. If no mold appears on the sticks and there is no mold growth in your humi, you are probably okay.

MalkavianX · 12-10-2006, 05:35 PM

I figure the mold probably came from the floral foam.

Harleyrider · 12-11-2006, 12:35 PM

Toss the foam and get beads. You will have a better life, and your cigar will thank you forever...

Big Smoke · 12-11-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harleyrider

Toss the foam and get beads. You will have a better life, and your cigar will thank you forever...

Mad Dawg · 12-12-2006, 04:31 AM

A post I made a while ago on another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dawg

The thing to keep in mind here is that every cigar ever made leaves the factory with mold spores on or in it. That is one inevitable result of the processing/aging/warehousing to which the tobacco that goes into the cigars is subjected. Hence, mold on some of the cigars in your humidor is not going to "contaminate the other cigars" in your humidor per se. In reality, they are all already "contaminated" because they all have mold spores on them.

The trick to proper storage of your cigars is maintaining the temperature and humidity within a range that inhibits germination of the mold spores and resulting mold growth. Personally, I feel that 99% of mold problems are caused by humidity, not temperature. Get the RH in the humi to or below 70% and you should not have a problem.

As to what to do with cigars that have mold on them: gently wipe them off, dry them out a bit, and put them back in the properly-humidified humidor. You should not have a problem. This applies to surface mold only - if the mold gets to the inside (filler) of the cigar, they're hosed. A little surface mold will not materially affect the flavor of the cigar, but moldy filler is death to the smoke.

There is no need to clean your humidor, because even if you were able to eliminate the mold spores therein, you'd reintroduce them with the first cigar you put back in it.

- Wipe off surface mold.
- Toss any cigars with moldy filler.
- Get your RH under control.

Simple, no?

MalkavianX · 12-12-2006, 04:45 AM

I felt the RH was probably the issue, got that down into the mid 60s now, which is where I like to keep it. The only one I saw mold on was a cheap yard gar, that I'm probably just going to pitch or burn this evening, no harm done there.

What had me stumped was where the RH was coming from. Floralfoam generally doesn't keep my humi that high, the only thing I can figure is in my new living situation the ambient RH is just higher (no central heat/air like my old place) I had just added about 15 smallish smokes to my stash, which usually spikes the RH for a few days, I guess that could be it as well.

Mad Dawg · 12-12-2006, 05:44 AM

I've noticed seasonal RH fluctuations in my winecoolerdor, and I still can't explain the pattern: lower in the summer (when ambient RH is higher), higher in the winter (when ambient is lower).

Try substituting beads for the foam/PG solution system. Since I did that, my desktops have stayed MUCH steadier.

Headbanger · 12-12-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dawg

I've noticed seasonal RH fluctuations in my winecoolerdor, and I still can't explain the pattern: lower in the summer (when ambient RH is higher), higher in the winter (when ambient is lower).

My wine cooler unit runs more in the summer/heat to stay cool (set at 68 degrees) and seems sucks the RH out while it is running. My Oasis kicks on more and I spritz the 65% beads more too. Now it is late fall/colder, the wine cooler unit runs less often as does the Oasis.

iminaquagmire · 12-14-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dawg

I've noticed seasonal RH fluctuations in my winecoolerdor, and I still can't explain the pattern: lower in the summer (when ambient RH is higher), higher in the winter (when ambient is lower).

My wine cooler unit runs more in the summer/heat to stay cool (set at 68 degrees) and seems sucks the RH out while it is running. My Oasis kicks on more and I spritz the 65% beads more too. Now it is late fall/colder, the wine cooler unit runs less often as does the Oasis.

Same here. I had to empty my drip tray and fill the Oasis every week. I actually thought about piping the drip tray valve into a bigger container. Now that its cold though, I'm at week three without filling the Oasis.

12-10-2006, 08:19 AM	#1
MalkavianX Guest Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,987	Mold--HELP! Just checked my humi and noticed a cheapo cigar on the top shelf had developed a spotting of mold. No worries, just removed it. Then, noticed the humidity was pushing 70%; that's a bit high for where I like to keep my sticks, and also unusual in that I hadn't messed with the floral foam or gel stick I have in several months. The house I'm in now must just be humid or something. At any rate, I removed the floral foam, as I know it's prone to molding, and in inspecting the cigars, I noticed mold spots on the outside of the cello of a few. NOW, I've removed all the cello from the humidor, and all the humidification elements (hope to dry it out down to my usual 65% or 62% to make it a bit to make it less hospitable for mold) My question is, since the majority of cigars in there were covered in cello, should I be worried that they're going to mold? The sticks themselves were flawless looking, and there was only mild spotting on 2 cello wrappers. The ambient temp the humi stays at is anywhere from the low 50s to low 60s, if that makes any difference.

12-10-2006, 01:52 PM	#2
Rob G Contributing Editor Herf God Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Camillus, NY Posts: 16,121	Your sticks are basically ruined at this point. Just send them to me and I'll dispose of them properly - one at a time. You need to find out where the mold came from. I'd take all the sticks out and put them in a tupperdore. You should then thoroughly clean out your humi. Then wait a few weeks and see what happens. If no mold appears on the sticks and there is no mold growth in your humi, you are probably okay. __________________ Rob If people can tell me where to smoke, I can tell them where to go, too.

12-11-2006, 12:35 PM	#4
Harleyrider Club Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Orleans, whenever possible Posts: 2,077	Toss the foam and get beads. You will have a better life, and your cigar will thank you forever... __________________ Vic I'm way too young to be this damned old.

12-12-2006, 05:44 AM	#8
Mad Dawg Administrator Herf Dog Herf God Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 34,199	I've noticed seasonal RH fluctuations in my winecoolerdor, and I still can't explain the pattern: lower in the summer (when ambient RH is higher), higher in the winter (when ambient is lower). Try substituting beads for the foam/PG solution system. Since I did that, my desktops have stayed MUCH steadier. __________________ Gone, But Never Forgotten. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ That which does not kill me....has made a grave tactical error.

12-10-2006, 05:35 PM	#3
MalkavianX Guest Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,987	I figure the mold probably came from the floral foam.

12-12-2006, 04:45 AM	#7
MalkavianX Guest Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,987	I felt the RH was probably the issue, got that down into the mid 60s now, which is where I like to keep it. The only one I saw mold on was a cheap yard gar, that I'm probably just going to pitch or burn this evening, no harm done there. What had me stumped was where the RH was coming from. Floralfoam generally doesn't keep my humi that high, the only thing I can figure is in my new living situation the ambient RH is just higher (no central heat/air like my old place) I had just added about 15 smallish smokes to my stash, which usually spikes the RH for a few days, I guess that could be it as well.