How Long Can You Store Distilled Water?

[Setren]

Distilled water is always brought up in any thread that talks about humidors and the likes, but I'm wondering how long I can store a gallon of it. I've read that one of the reasons for using distilled water is so that harmful bacteria and fungus doesn't grown in your humidor. So considering that I will maybe open my gallon of distilled water every three-to-four weeks and that I will keep the gallon in a refrigerator, how long can I keep using the same gallon of distilled water.

Also, am I being way too paranoid worrying about this?

Thanks!

 

[BigJake6904]

I think your being way too paranoid.

No reason to keep it in the fridge, IMO.

If its in a gallon jug, nothing is going to hurt the water as long as its sealed. If you're worried about mold or fungus, use PG solution (Propolene Glycol) (sp?) since it is a natural anti mildew substance. Some people do a 50/50 mix of PG and Distilled water.

Personally, i only use distilled water during the humidor seasoning process, then all i use is PG in my humidifiers.

If your that paranoid, spend the .75 every two weeks on a new gallon of distilled water, or invest the $10 in PG

Jake

Edit to add.

 

[johncarbaugh]

Distilled water is pure. That is why it is used. No outside contaminants. As long as it is sealed and dose not get contaminated It is good for as long as you want to keep it.

 

[flamchop]

I think I've been using the same gallon jug of distilled water for almost 9 months now. I never really thought about it but I think it's all good.

 

[souldog]

Due to the fact that you're spending a DOLLAR tops on a gallon, I think you could afford it if it became infested wiht fungus, grew a mouth, and called you "Steve."


If that happens, PM BeyondtheBand, he'll PIF and bomb you some distilled water as seen here...


Don't sweat too much about the hobby and just sit back and ENJOY A STOGIE. :thumbs:

 

[grateful1]

Isn't there a 'use by date' on it?

 

[daniyal]

Should have an expiry date on it in either event I'm guessing its good for a year at least.

 

[grateful1]

Should have an expiry date on it in either event I'm guessing its good for a year at least.

The one I have had for a few months says 6/2009.

I understand the point of getting contaminates in via the air...but...I don't think water is like milk or other products the are as affected(did I use the right one?) by air. The minerals and deposits in regular water are what tend to lead to build up on filters and eventual mold. no?

 

[Devil Doc]

Ya just never know about them invisible beasties. I suggest maintaining a sterile field, 10 X 10 meters, to keep your cigars and accessories in, and always open your water within that field. You should consider an autoclave. Sterilize all cutters and anything else that comes in contact with your water and cigars. Ya can't be too safe. Only you can prevent...wait a minute, what is it we're preventing? Oh yea, contaminated water. Fer Christ's sakes, it's .99 a gal. Buy more.

Doc.

 

[Setren]

Ya just never know about them invisible beasties. I suggest maintaining a sterile field, 10 X 10 meters, to keep your cigars and accessories in, and always open your water within that field. You should consider an autoclave. Sterilize all cutters and anything else that comes in contact with your water and cigars. Ya can't be too safe. Only you can prevent...wait a minute, what is it we're preventing? Oh yea, contaminated water. Fer Christ's sakes, it's .99 a gal. Buy more.

Doc.

I guess I could start up a methane burner around my humidor and autoclave my water and utilities before I used them.

Yeah, but seriously, seems like I'm just being stupid, hah. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Ginseng]

After about a year, I find that the water can take on some of the plasticky taste and smell from the HDPE jug. If you can afford it, I'd just buy a new jug every six months or so.

Wilkey

 

[Brickhouse]

After about a year, I find that the water can take on some of the plasticky taste and smell from the HDPE jug. If you can afford it, I'd just buy a new jug every six months or so.

Wilkey

ROFL, what is it like $1.15 a jug. If you can't afford a new jug every 6 months, but you can afford the cigars you're humidifying with it, then something is wrong, hehe.

I do like Wilkey says and buy a new jug about every 6 months or so. It just doesn't seem right to use the same jug for more than that. When it costs just over a dollar it doesn't make sense IMO.

 

[Ginseng]

Hehe. Guess I'm feeling a might snarky this morning.

Wilkey

 

[BlindedByScience]

Bacteria destroying high intensity UV lighting, alternated with a high power microwave RF field should keep bugs from growing. 'Course this could also make you blind and sterile, which may appeal to some but not others.

Or, just "throw caution to the wind" and buy another jug every couple of months. $0.99 to protect hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars of cigars.....?? What's the question...??

B.B.S.

 

[bimmer635csi]

I use distilled water to make my coffee also. That way it isn't sitting around so long. Plus, you don't have to use CLR to clean the coffee pot out, because the nasty minerals aren't in your coffee pot (or your humidor).

Others have suggested using a touch of everclear in the water to help keep it clean. That's up to you though.

 

[BlindedByScience]

Others have suggested using a touch of everclear in the water to help keep it clean. That's up to you though.

I've discussed this with folks more knowledgeable than I, and while this may make you feel good, I don't think it's a good strategy.

First off, a "touch" of everclear (almost pure grain alcohol) won't prevent bacteria from growing. The concentration required is lots more than a "touch" and I think you'd find the alcohol smell offensive.

Second, alcohol dissolved in water is very volatile. It will go away much faster than you'd think.

I had mold problems in my Staebell humidifiers which I traced to a contaminated jug of distilled water. New water, no problems. I started using fresh DI every time I refill them, which is every couple of months. No problems since.

Regards, guys - B.B.S.

 

[Devil Doc]

I use distilled water to make my coffee also. That way it isn't sitting around so long. Plus, you don't have to use CLR to clean the coffee pot out, because the nasty minerals aren't in your coffee pot (or your humidor).

Others have suggested using a touch of everclear in the water to help keep it clean. That's up to you though.

Doesn't your coffee taste a might flat. Well, I suppose if you put enough cream and sugar in it...

Doc.

 

[bimmer635csi]

I use distilled water to make my coffee also. That way it isn't sitting around so long. Plus, you don't have to use CLR to clean the coffee pot out, because the nasty minerals aren't in your coffee pot (or your humidor).

Others have suggested using a touch of everclear in the water to help keep it clean. That's up to you though.

Doesn't your coffee taste a might flat. Well, I suppose if you put enough cream and sugar in it...

Doc.

Nah. My coffee is Cuban Coffee. Super strong, super sweet. I don't drink sock-water coffee.

 

[souldog]

Or, just "throw caution to the wind" and buy another jug every couple of months. $0.99 to protect hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars of cigars.....?? What's the question...??

B.B.S.

That quote just MADE MY MORNING BBS!! +24 hrs of working straight, and I am amused by the littlest things!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[Ginseng]

That quote just MADE MY MORNING BBS!! +24 hrs of working straight, and I am amused by the littlest things!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

LOL. After 30 hours, the auditory hallucinations kick in and that's when I really start to enjoy sleep deprivation.

Wilkey