HOW TO: Build a Coolidor

[CHRIS7891011]

I kept mine in the bottom of my closet. Fit perfectly and was a great place to put my shoes.

[tobacmon]

Chris,
Followed your instructions and everything is done except the calibration--It will be ready tomorrow afternoon - Thanks!

[elmomac]

I gotta build one of these, my tupperware-a-dors are full

I do have a couple of questions
Can you buy cedar trays some where?
How many boxes can be kept in one of these?

Thanks for the great work you did on this Chris!!

[tobacmon]

Originally Posted by elmomac

I gotta build one of these, my tupperware-a-dors are full

I do have a couple of questions
Can you buy cedar trays some where?
How many boxes can be kept in one of these?

Thanks for the great work you did on this Chris!!

Chris is full of info. on this but I can tell you that the bigger the Cooler the more you can store--I also am waiting for some trays to complete mine--

[Matrioux]

You can always make trays out of old cigar boxes, thats what I have done. Most B&M's will give/sell old boxes.

Several brands of coolers also have ribbing on the side so you can turn them on end and add shelves. Makes getting to stuff easier then the old footlocker access method.

[jim@mindofmen.com]

I went with an active humidification system in mine along with some RH beads. I use the Cigar Oasis. If you get a humidor with a drain opening on the bottom, you can snake the A/C cord for the Cigar Oasis up through that and then apply some silicone gel (the kind that comes in a tube and is used for sealing windows and doors).

One other thing - if you plan to use it for long term storage where you don't plan to be in an out of it every week or so getting cigars, you should probably open the lid periodically to let in some air and let out any accumulate ammonia from the continuing fermentation that cigars may be experiencing. Wood humidors are not airtight, so this step is generally not necessary, but coolidors are, so make sure you give them a little fresh air now and them - probably every week or two. No need to leave the top open - jut open it for maybe 30 seconds or so and then close it back up.

[tobacmon]

Originally Posted by jim@mindofmen.com

I went with an active humidification system in mine along with some RH beads. I use the Cigar Oasis. If you get a humidor with a drain opening on the bottom, you can snake the A/C cord for the Cigar Oasis up through that and then apply some silicone gel (the kind that comes in a tube and is used for sealing windows and doors).

One other thing - if you plan to use it for long term storage where you don't plan to be in an out of it every week or so getting cigars, you should probably open the lid periodically to let in some air and let out any accumulate ammonia from the continuing fermentation that cigars may be experiencing. Wood humidors are not airtight, so this step is generally not necessary, but coolidors are, so make sure you give them a little fresh air now and them - probably every week or two. No need to leave the top open - jut open it for maybe 30 seconds or so and then close it back up.

Thanks for the info Jim--

[cbs0121]

Just got done with my own 70qt!

[wolfdreamtattoo-cl]

Thanks Chris, and everyone with the extra tips. This will be my next home improvement project

[ArrowJ]

That is the exact cooler I used to make my coolidor. It has a very good seal! I asked a few other coolidor builders if they prepped the cooler in anyway, and was told no. So, I skipped the bleach. I did do the baking soda though.

I use a Cigar Oasis Ultra and it keeps up very well in this particular cooler (again, it has a very tight seal). I also use a weather station with a remote sensor so I can keep an eye on the humidity without opening the cooler three times a week.

If you don't want to use empties for cedar trays you can get them online fairly cheap. Right now just about everyone seems to be out of them, but Mark from cigarmony.com told me he expects a shipment in a couple of weeks. He also told me they sell out fast!

Very nice tutorial.

[iloveclmore]

Very well done! Especially considering it looks like it was all done in a dorm room!

[jam]

I am gonna make one now i have a few questions

*isnt the coolers to tight of a seal
*how do i know how much beads to put in i assume less then a humi because its so tight
*i seen dozer broke boxes and put them on the wall of the cooler what is good to use that dont have smell


I am only in stage 1 with the bleach and water

Thanks

[foolwithnohair]

Originally Posted by jam

*isnt the coolers to tight of a seal
*how do i know how much beads to put in i assume less then a humi because its so tight
*i seen dozer broke boxes and put them on the wall of the cooler what is good to use that dont have smell

- Most coolers do not have a truly airtight seal at the top. You can always fill the cooler with water and flip the cooler over and find out .

- You need more beads than a (double-wall) humi because the inside sides aren't made out of cedar, so you may need to compensate for the loss of buffering capacity.

- I don't understand why Dozer did what he did either, but I know that a lot of people do that. IMHO, it is better to have actual closing old cedar wood boxes and put loose cigars in them (and close the boxes). That way the (non-cello'd) loose cigars aren't shocked every time you open the coolerdor (or tupperdor).

YMMV.

[Labman-cl]

Very nice How To...I can't wait to see pictures of her all filled up.

[jam]

The plastic smell and the bleach smell is still there after 1 day i am sure i got crazy with the bleach, is it ok to put 2 boxes of baking soda or wash it again with soap and water then dry then add baking soda

Thanks joe