Placing container of Distilled Water in humi

[BamBam]

Living in Ohio this time a year plays havoc on my humidor. With the relative humidity in the house dipping to somewhere around 40% RH. Inside my humidors I play overkill when it comes to the humi-sticks and jars of propylene-glycol gel. But still my humidors fight to stay over 60%RH.
My solution, shot glasses or small plastic cups with plain old distilled water in them. How does everyone feel about this method? Does anyone do the same and does anyone experience problems with this? This method does wonders inside the humidor, raising the RH to 70% in just a matter of days.
After a couple weeks I found small black clouds floating in the containers of distilled water inside my humidors. Does anyone know what these small black clouds are? Beginning stages of mold? I removed the containers just to be on the safe side.
What is your take on this method?

[CJ71976]

Yep, thats what I call them. I change the water often or add just a little bit of rum to it.

[Harpo]

Yup, this winter has been my first with a big humi and I've had to put a little dish of distilled water because the RH has dropped so much with the dry air.

No black clouds though... if it's mould, maybe add a few drops of PG?

[BamBam]

Originally Posted by CJ71976

Yep, thats what I call them. I change the water often or add just a little bit of rum to it.

That's a good idea. Do you think Vodka would do the same thing.

[BamBam]

Originally Posted by Harpo

Yup, this winter has been my first with a big humi and I've had to put a little dish of distilled water because the RH has dropped so much with the dry air.

No black clouds though... if it's mould, maybe add a few drops of PG?

Will Propylene Glycol mixed in with the water keep the mold away? I have a couple bottles of PG so I hope so.

[Harpo]

Originally Posted by BamBam

Will Propylene Glycol mixed in with the water keep the mold away? I have a couple bottles of PG so I hope so.

I'm pretty sure a 50/50 distilled water/propylene glycol solution will act both as a humidity buffer and a mould inhibitor.

[yazzie]

My solution: Get a cooler and some Beads and you will no longer have to worry about RH swings caused by seasonality in the weather. Rock solid RH in a Cooler

[Munkey]

The ambient humidity in my condo is about the same as you have in Ohio during winter. How tight a seal is your humi getting? I solved my problems by putting in two 1 oz. 65% bead sticks in my humi. It's been very stable since. Also, how often are you digging in your humi? Could be a factor.

[uncballzer]

Originally Posted by Harpo

I'm pretty sure a 50/50 distilled water/propylene glycol solution will act both as a humidity buffer and a mould inhibitor.

I wouldn't do the rum, might infuse a flavor to the cigars. But at any rate, I wouldn't leave the water in there by itself. I also recommend just getting humidity beads. My hygros are all over the place right now, but I know my babies are just fine with the amount of beads I've got in my humi's.

[baglorious]

Definitely mold... and I had the same experience with standing distilled water. Eventually, floaty mold! Whee.

I second the coolerdor + beads comment. Not pretty, of course, but absolutely eliminates all the problems. The most maintenance free solution there is, and it is essentially foolproof, with no seasonal difficulties.

Winter is tough. I was still trying to use a desktop humi with a glass top for decorative purposes, apart from my coolerdor. Even WITH a shot glass of distilled in it, I couldn't get it consistently above 64... and usually it was at 60-61. So, the desktop humi was decommissioned in favor of a tuppordor, lol, as I was tired of messing with it (and the coolerdor is full, d'oh!).

So, utility over decor is my advice, I suppose.

[DBall]

Originally Posted by yazzie

My solution: Get a cooler and some Beads and you will no longer have to worry about RH swings caused by seasonality in the weather. Rock solid RH in a Cooler

...indeed.

[pbrennan10]

I've been using a bowl to give my vinotemp an extra boost and season all the wood for a while.

No problems, cigars tasting A++.

[beamish]

Originally Posted by yazzie

My solution: Get a cooler and some Beads and you will no longer have to worry about RH swings caused by seasonality in the weather. Rock solid RH in a Cooler

[Rudder]

I'm in the same boat and I think I will use a cooler and some beads. Hell, I can use the extra storage space anyways.

[PuffDaddy]

I used to use a piece of sponge (new of course) that had mold inhibitor in it. You can read on the packed to see if it is the right type. I cut a piece of it and placed it in a shot glass, and then soaked it with distilled water. It worked fine all winter and if it got bumped there will be no risk of spillage.
I have since moved to a cab for consumables and coolers with beads for long term, but this worked perfect for desktops that need a little help in the winter.