Wick Mold Question

Firemedic · 07-17-2013, 08:53 PM

I have been running an Astriocrat Set and Forget system, sine Late April. Keeps humidity set perfectly in my humidor at 69. However, I've noticed spots of mold starting about every thirty days of replacement. I'm currently on my third wick, and wondering if they should be replaced as soon as spots appear, or if they still have some life left. I only use distilled water, and clean the container every time I replace the water. I was told one cartridge should last me around three months.

markem · 07-17-2013, 08:57 PM

Bob Staebell is the right person to ask, but I'd say 30 days seems short if he told you 90 days.

When you clean the unit, are you flushing everything with distilled water and then drying with a very clean, white, lint-free cloth?

It may help to know which wick. Here is the link to the wick order page: http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/wickorders.htm

Firemedic · 07-17-2013, 09:00 PM

I didn't use a lint free cloth....that could do it?

Firemedic · 07-17-2013, 09:01 PM

Also the wick is for the 1.5qt

markem · 07-17-2013, 09:27 PM

I use a white lint-free cloth that is washed with bleach and never sees the dryer (because of dryer sheets and their residue). For the 1.5qt, my wicks last about a year. Some source of mold must somehow winding up contaminating yours. Could be in how they are stored, how you clean the unit, how you store the distilled water or even a source of mold within the humidor itself. Hard to tell.

The Poet · 07-18-2013, 11:03 AM

I've had mold on my wick for decades, which is why I keep hand-buffing it.

STEVE S · 07-18-2013, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Poet

I've had mold on my wick for decades, which is why I keep hand-buffing it.

That sounds like a different kind of wick!!

shilala · 07-18-2013, 11:29 AM

Use some PG in the water and your wicks won't mold. Add Borax and it'll kill termites, too.
Seriously, PG is used all over as a mold inhibitor.
I'd spew a bunch more technical crap about PG, but I'll stop at "it's perfectly safe and people use it in their humidors and humidifiers the world over."

Simple1 · 07-18-2013, 11:34 AM

+1 for the PG

Sadden · 07-23-2013, 12:36 AM

Wash the humidifier out with bleach and water. Then refill with a fresh wick and some pg.

grateful1 · 07-23-2013, 08:17 AM

I wipe it down with water and light bleach mix (very light - as if cleaning a new cooler).
The case and the top ....then with a damp wet (no bleach) cloth and let air dry.

Also - are you using fresh distilled water?

Firemedic · 07-25-2013, 11:39 AM

Yes, fresh distilled water every time!

Wharf Rat · 07-25-2013, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

Use some PG in the water and your wicks won't mold. Add Borax and it'll kill termites, too.
Seriously, PG is used all over as a mold inhibitor.
I'd spew a bunch more technical crap about PG, but I'll stop at "it's perfectly safe and people use it in their humidors and humidifiers the world over."

I'm thinking you mean food grade pg and not something meant for solar systems and the like.

shilala · 08-15-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wharf Rat

I'm thinking you mean food grade pg and not something meant for solar systems and the like.

Yes.

07-17-2013, 08:53 PM	#1
Firemedic Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 27 Trading: (0)	Wick Mold Question I have been running an Astriocrat Set and Forget system, sine Late April. Keeps humidity set perfectly in my humidor at 69. However, I've noticed spots of mold starting about every thirty days of replacement. I'm currently on my third wick, and wondering if they should be replaced as soon as spots appear, or if they still have some life left. I only use distilled water, and clean the container every time I replace the water. I was told one cartridge should last me around three months.

07-17-2013, 08:57 PM	#2
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,625 Trading: (47)	Re: Wick Mold Question Bob Staebell is the right person to ask, but I'd say 30 days seems short if he told you 90 days. When you clean the unit, are you flushing everything with distilled water and then drying with a very clean, white, lint-free cloth? It may help to know which wick. Here is the link to the wick order page: http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/wickorders.htm __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

07-17-2013, 09:00 PM	#3
Firemedic Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 27 Trading: (0)	Re: Wick Mold Question I didn't use a lint free cloth....that could do it?

07-17-2013, 09:01 PM	#4
Firemedic Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 27 Trading: (0)	Re: Wick Mold Question Also the wick is for the 1.5qt

07-17-2013, 09:27 PM	#5
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,625 Trading: (47)	Re: Wick Mold Question I use a white lint-free cloth that is washed with bleach and never sees the dryer (because of dryer sheets and their residue). For the 1.5qt, my wicks last about a year. Some source of mold must somehow winding up contaminating yours. Could be in how they are stored, how you clean the unit, how you store the distilled water or even a source of mold within the humidor itself. Hard to tell. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

07-18-2013, 11:03 AM	#6
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Wick Mold Question I've had mold on my wick for decades, which is why I keep hand-buffing it. __________________ Ninety percent of everything is crap - Theodore Sturgeon.

07-18-2013, 11:29 AM	#8
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Wick Mold Question Use some PG in the water and your wicks won't mold. Add Borax and it'll kill termites, too. Seriously, PG is used all over as a mold inhibitor. I'd spew a bunch more technical crap about PG, but I'll stop at "it's perfectly safe and people use it in their humidors and humidifiers the world over." __________________

07-18-2013, 11:34 AM	#9
Simple1 Livin' the dream Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Brian Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 303 Trading: (14)	Re: Wick Mold Question +1 for the PG

07-23-2013, 12:36 AM	#10
Sadden Its only money... Join Date: May 2012 First Name: Colin Posts: 367 Trading: (0)	Re: Wick Mold Question Wash the humidifier out with bleach and water. Then refill with a fresh wick and some pg. __________________ If you want to party with the boys , be prepared to get up and work with the men the next morning. -Colin

07-23-2013, 08:17 AM	#11
grateful1 testing Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gary Posts: 44 Trading: (0)	Re: Wick Mold Question I wipe it down with water and light bleach mix (very light - as if cleaning a new cooler). The case and the top ....then with a damp wet (no bleach) cloth and let air dry. Also - are you using fresh distilled water?

07-25-2013, 11:39 AM	#12
Firemedic Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 27 Trading: (0)	Re: Wick Mold Question Yes, fresh distilled water every time!