Is this the end?

[Flare88]

So I opened up my humi for the first time in about a month and what do I see near my heartfelt beads? Oh god, please dont let it be. I have some pictures to show you guys. All of my cigars are in thier cellos and the dusty like matter was only on the outside of 10 cigars. i threw them out immediately :crytears: but the others seemed untouched. What should I do about my problem. How should I go about cleaning the wood. How could this happen with distilled water only? (perhaps over saturation?) Please dont tell me that im doomed.

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/9252/mydc0115ct1.jpg
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/8245/mydc0117qh3.jpg
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/5697/mydc0117mt1.jpg
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9732/mydc0118se0.jpg
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6717/mydc0120uv6.jpg

 

[dpricenator]

Thank God for the cello. I'll leave the advice to the pros, but I hope all turns out well

 

[no_substitute]

ouch...that looks like a job for a professional hazardous materials team

those beads look pretty saturated...combined with not enough airflow in there?

 

[Volusianator]

All I can think of is focus!

 

[tedski]

I may be way off base here, but this is what I'd do:

1. Remove cigars and put in tupperware. Check cello for any mold - if found, remove cello.
2. Clean wood with 99%/unscented alcohol. Put in direct sun to air out + dry.
3. Flush beads with hot distilled water. Lay out on aluminum foil and put in direct sun to dry.
4. Reassemble and season humidor again.
5. Return cigars to humi.

 

[Donk]

I have a similar setup for my beads, I never leave the container laying flat, I alway have it on it's side. and atleast a cigar width apart from the side of the humi. I've never had a problem that way.

My best advise is to clean the humi really well, let it dry out a bit and then probably have to reseason the humi. and start over. That would be my advise.

Damn! Ya like Tedski said! I hate it when I get beaten to the punch.

 

[tubaman]

I may be way off base here, but this is what I'd do:

1. Remove cigars and put in tupperware. Check cello for any mold - if found, remove cello.
2. Clean wood with 99%/unscented alcohol. Put in direct sun to air out + dry.
3. Flush beads with hot distilled water. Lay out on aluminum foil and put in direct sun to dry.
4. Reassemble and season humidor again.
5. Return cigars to humi.

I mostly agree with Ted. I would just replace the beads however. It's not that big of an investment to replace them, and I would feel better knowing that there is no chance of any mold being left on them. And I wouldn't put the wood in direct sun light. The drastic changes in temperature could cause the wood to warp. It will take longer to dry, but I would leave it where ever I have the humi normally. There are guys on here that know a whole lot more than me however about wood and it's properties.

 

[Flare88]

alright, I tossed my beads and removed all the stogies. Where should I keep them in the meantime, note that im in college without a car and dont have too many resources. I do have a fridge and im runnin to the local cvs (20 min run) to get some unscented alcohol and sponges. Thanks for the quick responses guys.

 

[Trumpetchris]

small cooler or tepperware sandwich boxes. Or, if you're really in a pinch- go with ziplock bags. If you're in a dorm, make sure your humi isn't too close to the heater in your room, that might be causing problems.

 

[Flare88]

I could go buy the tupperware or ziplock bags at cvs but how would keep them humidified?

 

[stlcards]

If they are that wet then when you seal them in the tupperware you might not need any additional humidifying device. Whatever you do, don't put them in the fridge.

I didn't see a digi hygrometer in your pics. I would say get one of those and monitor your stash a little closer in the future.

 

[no_substitute]

they should be fine in baggies for like a week if you roll most of the air out