Unopened Humidor....Trouble?

[whodat1]

I have a small humidor at the moment and was thinking of making a tuppador or coolidor. I've been using some of viper's beads and was planning to use them for this also. However, I just found out that I have to go on a business trip for about 7 weeks this fall. If I leave say a tuppador unopened for this long, will it cause problems?

[Moglman]

I don't have a tupperdor, but as far as my coolidors, if I left for that long, I'd make sure the humidification beads were all charged and it was in a cool area (basement?). That done, I'd go enjoy my time away and wouldn't worry about a thing, except maybe robbery or fire. Be sure to bring a good stash with you.

[Scott M]

Possibly.

Beads, (charged), tupperdor in the fridge. Constant, (albeit cooler), temps with controlled humidity via the beads and tupperware seal.


Anyone see a problem with this?

[Danimal]

Since you're in Katy, drop them by my house and I will take good care of them.

[CarpeDNA]

Howdy there! As long as you have a high enough beads/cigar ratio in a closed system such as a tupperware container, I don't see any problems. However, I have found that if you over-humidify the beads then your relative humidity goes way up and stays there for a while (in a non-closed system such as a converted wine cooler).

Also, since you live in Katy, Texas the only other concern would be temperature. The previous post suggested that you put the cooler in the refrigerator. I don't have any experience with cooler temperatures but the beads should adjust for any temperature (within reason). If the place you are going to be storing your cigars is going to be fairly cool over this period of time, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Good luck!

[whodat1]

Originally Posted by DKim81

Since you're in Katy, drop them by my house and I will take good care of them.

LOL!

I guess I'm worried about mold since there will be no fresh air occasionally circulated through the box. No mold worries then?

[justinphilly]

depending on the size of your box you could (in my humble opinion) do 2 things

1- buy a cigar oasis, in addition to your beads, This will work to aid in the humidifying of the box. The only problem you may have with going with EITHER the beads OR the oasis, is them getting dried out and not getting more moisture.. Using both, and setting it up to your desired humidity would, while not ensuring, help maintain proper levels..

2- If you went with the cigar oasis idea, you may not use this idea.. The oasis has a fan, which helps circulate air.. If you decide not to use the oasis, just go to radio shack and get a computer fan.. Tiny and efficient, some are powered by battery some ac adapter.

i hope i helped!

[CarpeDNA]

Originally Posted by whodat1

LOL!

I guess I'm worried about mold since there will be no fresh air occasionally circulated through the box. No mold worries then?

Good point about mold. I don't know what might happen. My guess is that it will be less likely to happen if you have the 65% beads instead of the 70% beads.

CarpeDNA

[IHT]

i wouldn't worry about it at all.

[Danimal]

Yeah if you use the beads mold shouldn't be a problem. If ur worried about air not circulating some people actually poke tiny holes in the tupperdor to let minimal air exchange but for a week you should be just fine. Just throw the beads/cigars in and you're good to go for a lonng time

[Nely]

Originally Posted by IHT

i wouldn't worry about it at all.

ditto.
If you charge your beads before you leave, your tupperdor should be fine at keeping that humidity. Plus your cigars are already properly humidified right? so the beads will just have to maintain the RH.

[kenstogie]

If your coolerdor or whatever is truly sealed then where could the moisture go? Of course a little could escape but not much at all if it is really sealed. My only concern is that isn't it a good idea to let them breath a bit? that said I don't think 7 weeks is that bad. OF course just my humble opinion a vet cigar smoker/ager is w/exp is wut u need.

[whodat1]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

My only concern is that isn't it a good idea to let them breath a bit?

Yes, this is exactly what I'm concerned about.

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by whodat1

Yes, this is exactly what I'm concerned about.

My thought would be to go buy a cooler and make a cooler dor with sufficient beadage. The added air mass should allow for a "cushion" with a sufficient amount of fresh air, sealed in at the begining of the 7 weeks. Also I really don't think that 7 weeks is all that long, but cant really say for sure.

[ESP]

I once left one of my 'dors (a 300 count prometheus humidor) for just over a year! and guess what, it was reading 70%RH when I opened it! The cigars were OK and no harm done. It was kept in a cool room (basement) and against my expectations - no smell of amonia or musty smells when I opened it! I guess if the humidor is well designed, it would allow for a tiny amount of air circulation, and the PG (or the beads) will regulate the RH, so for 7 weeks I wouldn't worry much - maybe just miss them cigars!