If you’re a cigar fan, then you know that the quality of your smoke relies heavily on the humidity levels of your humidor. But with so many options, how do you know which is best for you?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the differences between distilled water and humidor solutions for cigars so that you can make an informed decision.
What is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is purified water that has been heated and condensed to remove impurities from the source. The distillation process involves boiling the water, collecting the steam, and condensing it back into a liquid form.
This removes contaminants such as minerals, salts, bacteria, and viruses from the resulting liquid. It is a pure form of water that can be used for humidors and other applications. Distilled water is free from any harmful elements and is safe for cigars. It helps to keep your humidor in good condition and your cigars fresh and flavorful.
What is Propylene Glycol?
Propylene glycol is a synthetic compound used in many consumer goods, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It’s also known for its ability to hold moisture, making it ideal for cigar humidors.
Which is Better for Humidor Maintenance?
When mixed with distilled water, propylene glycol creates a solution that helps maintain a consistent humidity level inside the humidor. Not only does it keep the desired humidity level stable, but it also prevents the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that may be harmful to cigars.
This allows for the most accurate and reliable relative humidity levels, which is essential for properly storing and aging your cigars. Distilled water is ideal as it does not contain any minerals or particles which can damage the humidor and cigars.
It also protects against calcification and mold on the humidifier. Using distilled water over tap water also has the added benefit of containing fewer germs and particles. As such, it is highly recommended that you use distilled water for all humidor maintenance needs.
Use a humidor solution if you’re humidor is not providing consistent humidity.
Benefits of Using Distilled Water
Using distilled water in your humidor has several benefits.
The first and most obvious is that it is free of minerals, calcium, and other potential contaminants that could damage your cigars. Distilled water is also free of bacteria, which won’t promote mold growth or fungi in your humidor.
The cleanliness of distilled water also helps to prevent calcification on the internal surfaces of the humidor, reducing the need for maintenance and cleaning.
Finally, distilled water helps to regulate humidity levels more accurately than tap water, which can fluctuate according to the weather. This means you can ensure your cigars are kept at a consistent humidity level with minimal effort.
Benefits of Using Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a great choice for humidor maintenance because it helps to keep humidity levels consistent. This is because it creates an evaporation rate of 70%RH, which is ideal for cigars.
PG also helps to protect against calcification and mold growth by preventing the harmful bacteria in tap water from entering the humidor.
Moreover, it’s a safe and non-toxic solution that won’t damage your cigars or humidor.
It’s important to use a 50/50 solution of PG and distilled water for the best results in maintaining your humidor.
Tips for Humidor Maintenance
Regarding humidor maintenance, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. First and foremost, always use distilled water or a glycol solution to provide moisture. Tap water contains impurities that can damage the humidor and cigars, so it should never be used.
Additionally, ensure not to overfill or underfill the humidifier; it needs to be just right for optimal performance.
Finally, if you are seasoning your humidor for the first time, don’t forget to add a humidifying element like beads or crystals and a hygrometer to measure humidity levels. Following these simple tips will ensure that your cigars are stored and aged in the best possible environment.
The Importance of Using Distilled Water
Using distilled water for humidor maintenance is essential for preserving cigars. It is important to use distilled water because it contains no minerals, impurities, or other particles that can damage the humidor and the cigars.
Distilled water is free of lime and other substances that can accumulate, leading to calcification. It also contains fewer germs and free particles than tap water, making it a safer choice for storing cigars. Using only distilled water when seasoning a humidor ensures that your cigars will remain in optimal condition.
The Dangers of Tap Water in Humidors
Tap water is not recommended for use in humidors due to the presence of minerals, bacteria, and other particles that can be harmful to cigars. Tap water contains lime that can cause the humidor to be calcified and moldy.
It is also more likely to contain germs and free particles that can contaminate cigars. For these reasons, it is important to use purified or distilled water when refilling a humidor, as this will help maintain a healthy environment for cigars and prevent any damage from occurring.
Conclusion
In conclusion, distilled water and propylene glycol are great options for humidor maintenance. The main difference between them is that propylene glycol is a 50/50 solution that needs to be mixed with distilled water to provide the correct relative humidity.
Distilled water is safer because it is free of contaminants and minerals, while propylene glycol provides more consistent and accurate relative humidity levels. Ultimately, the best choice for your humidor depends on your individual needs and preferences.
No matter which option you choose, always remember to use distilled water to prime your humidor and maintain it properly.
jay
Self proclaimed cigar expert. I've been smoking since 2010. I've practically lived at a cigar lounge from 10am to 10pm and trying every new cigar that came out for years.
