Is filtered water the same as distilled?

[Cypress]

I have a friend that was going to season their new humidor and was using filtered water from his Rainsoft System. I told him he should have used distilled. His thoughts were that the filter would take out the impurities. My thoughts were that since distilled water is boiled it would kill any bacteria that could cause mold.

What are everyone else's thoughts? I personally like using a glycol mixture.

[bobaganoosh]

You are correct. Filtered is not the same as Distilled... Carbon filtered water still retains some minerals, though valuable to your body... not so much for your humidifier. And your correct again on using a 50/50 solution. Why take any chances?

[Ceedee]

Originally Posted by bobaganoosh

You are correct. Filtered is not the same as Distilled... Carbon filtered water still retains some minerals, though valuable to your body... not so much for your humidifier. And your correct again on using a 50/50 solution. Why take any chances?

Ed-Zachery! A gallon of distilled water is less than a buck in any grocery store. Why would you not go buy a gallon of distilled water and not worry?

CD

[baba]

I agree with Christian about distilled water. You start out with clean H20 - but unfortunately the humidifer you refill can have bacteria, or fungas. I think the minerals in the H20 harden up the sponge, or wicks in humidifiers, and decrease the ability to humidify.

[ksnake]

If the sponge gets moldy, is there a way to clean it?

[mrgatorman]

Different animals...Distilled is necessary for the humi. Filtered means your not drinking someone else waste in your tap.

[tobacmon]

Originally Posted by bobaganoosh

You are correct. Filtered is not the same as Distilled... Carbon filtered water still retains some minerals, though valuable to your body... not so much for your humidifier. And your correct again on using a 50/50 solution. Why take any chances?

Yo Christian--so it's not good to use straight up distilled water---talk to me yo!
Oh Crap! I've been wronged---:arghhhh:

[cybervee-cl]

Originally Posted by ksnake

If the sponge gets moldy, is there a way to clean it?

Throw out the sponge. Get beads and never worry again. I use the 65% beads from HeartFelt.

www.HeartfeltIndustries.com

Check this thread for info.

[bobaganoosh]

Originally Posted by tobacmon

Yo Christian--so it's not good to use straight up distilled water---talk to me yo!
Oh Crap! I've been wronged---:arghhhh:

Propylene Glycol and Distilled Water (50/50) can be used in place of straight distilled. I know many people that only use distilled and it is likely that they will never have a problem. That being said, the 50/50 solution decreases the evaporation rate... it also claims that it can fight bacteria within the box. Even distilled water can have bacteria growth within the box and thus making your sticks change flavors. Using the solution is an extra precaution that can be used to ensure the quality of your cigars.


And for the other question about mold growing on your humidifier... replacement sponges are available on the net. However, if your looking for a quick fix... use the green stuff that they use for floral decorations. If I'm not mistaken this is basically the same product. And can be cut down to whatever size and shape of your humidifier cober box.

Hope this helps.

[tobacmon]

Originally Posted by bobaganoosh

Propylene Glycol and Distilled Water (50/50) can be used in place of straight distilled. I know many people that only use distilled and it is likely that they will never have a problem. That being said, the 50/50 solution decreases the evaporation rate... it also claims that it can fight bacteria within the box. Even distilled water can have bacteria growth within the box and thus making your sticks change flavors. Using the solution is an extra precaution that can be used to ensure the quality of your cigars.


And for the other question about mold growing on your humidifier... replacement sponges are available on the net. However, if your looking for a quick fix... use the green stuff that they use for floral decorations. If I'm not mistaken this is basically the same product. And can be cut down to whatever size and shape of your humidifier cober box.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Christian - I started using 50/50 and ran out RECENTLY but will pick up a bottle---

I think the floral arrangement foam is the same thing also--Paul

[ksnake]

Originally Posted by cybervee

Throw out the sponge. Get beads and never worry again. I use the 65% beads from HeartFelt.

www.HeartfeltIndustries.com

Check this thread for info.

Thanks!

I have heard about doing that. Asked about this in another thread. oasis? Active humidi (thread) Thanks for the links! That's the info I was looking for there.

Will probably go for beads, but still curious if the sponges can be cleaned.

[cybervee-cl]

Originally Posted by tobacmon

Thanks Christian - I started using 50/50 and ran out RECENTLY but will pick up a bottle---

I think the floral arrangement foam is the same thing also--Paul

Make sure you get wet oasis foam if you are going to use foam. The dry oasis foam will not work becuase it isn't absorbant.

[tobacmon]

Originally Posted by cybervee

Make sure you get wet oasis foam if you are going to use foam. The dry oasis foam will not work becuase it isn't absorbant.

Good point Mike--Thanks..:mrcool:

[cybervee-cl]

Originally Posted by ksnake

Will probably go for beads, but still curious if the sponges can be cleaned.

Not sure if sponges can be cleaned or not. But I do know that the wet oasis foam is very cheap. I bought a 4x4 brick that was about 6 inches long for under $2. And for that much I would toss the sponge in the trash instead of taking a chance on cleaning it - IMHO.

[FoZzMaN-cl]

You can usually clean mold with bleach, maybe vinegar - but would you want EITHER of those scents in your humi? I think not. Go with new foam, at least.