Sour Wineador Smell

[jwr0201]

Cutting to the chase, how does one get rid of a sour wineador smell? I've replaced all of my old beads with new 65% HCM, using 3x recommended amount (1.25#) and put 1# of baking soda in the wineador temporarily to try to rid the smell. The beads were not over the top, but definitely had a sour aroma. I managed to rescue another 1/4# bag of HCM beads by putting into a zip lock with baking soda - fresh as a daisy. Just put the new beads in tonight, so am looking to see if they and the baking soda makes a difference. Just to note - the beads are separate from the BS.

[RickHendeson]

Define "sour." Cigars outgas ammonia and without constant active exogenous circulation, you may have to accept a certain raw odor as inevitable

[PapaDisco]

Cutting to the chase, how does one get rid of a sour wineador smell? I've replaced all of my old beads with new 65% HCM, using 3x recommended amount (1.25#) and put 1# of baking soda in the wineador temporarily to try to rid the smell. The beads were not over the top, but definitely had a sour aroma. I managed to rescue another 1/4# bag of HCM beads by putting into a zip lock with baking soda - fresh as a daisy. Just put the new beads in tonight, so am looking to see if they and the baking soda makes a difference. Just to note - the beads are separate from the BS.

When I prep tupperdores for use I wash down the sides with baking soda and a rag, then white vinegar, then dish soap, then baking soda again. I also let them sit in outside in the sun. Not sure how mobile your wineador is though.

The beads are likely your greatest source of smell absorption so maybe don't put the new ones in until the smell is completely gone (the unit is empty of cigars at the moment right?).

[PigFish]

You can bake your beads (generally about 250F, but check with maker) and attempt to drive out volatile compounds bonded therein. Of course you will have to rehydrate them.

Laymen wine cooler humidor makers mainly have problems with condensate. Oxides of some metals will sometimes smell as will most natural products that have been wetted. As a matter of due diligence, strip down the humidor and check for wet items...

Lastly, few believe me that 65/65 is marginally wet. You should check all your boxes of mold, inside and out! Check ones close to the cooling coil, and at the bottom as they are the most suspect.

Mildew smell was a problem that I had to combat in the early years before I had the experience that I have today. It is why I share the experience. There are numerous forces at work in your controlled, or pseudo-controlled humidor and the best way to avoid some of these problems is to bring up the temperature and lower the rH.

Best of luck on your project. -Piggy